Programming is considered a technical skill that only the tech-savvy can learn. However, nothing could be further from the truth. In today’s world, understanding computers and how they function can open up new opportunities as we progress into a more advanced world. One great way to learn to program is by reading the best programming books you can get your hands on.
In this article, we’ll cover what it takes to select the best books for programming. We’ll go through a few of the tips, and to illustrate further, we’ll look at 10 of the best books to learn programming. We discuss whether learning programming is a worthy investment of your time and some resources you can use to get started. Let’s dive in.
How Can I Choose the Best Books for Programmers?
Some ways to choose the best books for programmers are to research on the Internet and gather reviews from experienced programmers. If you dream of a career as a computer programmer, you have to set a good foundation by reading the right books.
Before choosing the programming language to dive into, having general knowledge of the thinking patterns of software engineers can be instrumental in helping you develop programming skills. With thousands of programming books already on the market, choosing a book that serves your needs can be daunting. Here are a few helpful tips to guide you through the selection process.
Tips for Choosing the Best Programming Books
- Know Your Skill Level. An excellent place to start when looking for the best books to learn programming is to know the skill level you are at when dealing with computer code. Are you an absolute beginner? If so, a book with basic concepts of programming is perfect for you. Meanwhile, professional developers only need a book to jog their minds.
- Study Table of Contents and Index. When selecting books on programming, read the table of contents and index to see a summary of what it entails. That way, depending on your skill level, you can instantly figure out whether a book will contribute to your programming knowledge or not.
- Read Online Book Reviews. Online book review sites such as Goodreads and Google Books curate ratings and reviews from book readers, empowering non-readers to select good books. If you’re planning to be a self-taught programmer, you’ll want to find a book that other programmers have found easy to use.
- Ask Experienced Programmers. A seasonal or accomplished programmer can give you a good perspective on the fundamentals of programming and thus recommend a book that’ll be instrumental in instilling that information in you. You can use social media platforms to reach out to any software developer and request advice.
- Join Programming Forums and Ask. Programming forums give you the chance to interact with other programmers and get practical advice on how to progress as a programmer. Join these platforms and ask for people’s recommendations on the best books for beginners, and you’ll be surprised at how helpful they can be.
The 10 Best Programming Books: An Overview
| Name | Publisher | Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship | Pearson Education | Writing clean code, cleaning code case studies, code smells and heuristics |
| Code Complete, Second Edition | Microsoft Press | Defensive programming, pseudocode programming process, fundamental and unusual data types |
| Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software | Microsoft Press | Bytes and Hex, American Standard Code for Information Interchange, the operating system |
| Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software | Addison-Wesley Professional | Creational, structural and behavioral patterns |
| Head First Design Patterns | O’Reilly Media | Observer design pattern, decorator pattern, factory pattern |
| Introduction to Algorithms, Fourth Edition | MIT Press | Data structures and algorithms, graph and string processing, linear programming |
| Pattern Hatching: Design Patterns Applied | Addison-Wesley Professional | Elements of reusable object oriented software, pattern development process, themes and variations on patterns |
| Programming Pearls, Second Edition | Addison-Wesley Professional | Data structures programs, algorithm design techniques, and code tuning |
| The Art of Computer Programming, Volume 4A: Combinatorial Algorithms | Addison-Wesley Professional | Boolean basics and evaluation, binary decision diagrams, generating basic combinatory patterns |
| The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey to Mastery | Addison-Wesley Professional | Assertive programming, transforming programming, programming by coincidence |
The 10 Best Programming Books: A Closer Look
Now that we have listed the best programming books, let’s have a closer look at what each book offers to the average user. Some of these books are designed for complete beginners. Others favor experienced programmers, while a few might be written for programming experts who want to advance their knowledge or learn different ways to solve specific software design challenges.
1. Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship
- Author: Robert C. Martin
- Best for: experienced programmers
One of the biggest challenges with development teams is bad code. Bad code might result in structural challenges that could impact entire projects. In this book, Martin teams up with his colleagues from Object Mentor to offer the best advice on the practice of cleaning code. By reading this classic book, you will learn the values of a software craftsman and become a better programmer.
2. Code Complete, Second Edition
- Author: Steve McConnell
- Best for: all programmers
Since it was first published in 2004, Code Complete has been helping programmers write better code. It comes with the most effective techniques and principles of the art and science of software construction. It doesn’t matter your experience level, development environment, or the project’s size. This book will help you employ critical thinking to develop software with the highest-quality code.
3. CODE: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software
- Author: Charles Petzold
- Best for: new programmers
In CODE, Petzold creates an illuminating narrative using everyday objects and language to provide a deeper understanding of the intricacies of computers and smart machines. He illustrates how humans’ compulsion to communicate has led to numerous technological advancements over the past few decades, thereby giving you a great foundation of programmatic thinking.
4. Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software
- Authors: Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, John Vlissides
- Best for: experienced programmers
This book is a culmination of the experiences of four top-notch software designers who present a collection of 23 clear and practical solutions to common design problems that programmers encounter. The book explores patterns of object oriented software design to give you the technical know-how of how patterns fit into software development and how to leverage each to solve design problems with real-world examples.
5. Head First Design Patterns
- Authors: Eric Freeman, Elisabeth Robson, Bert Bates, Kathy Sierra
- Best for: beginners
If you’re struggling with software design problems, there’s a chance that someone else has already solved the problem. This book goes through tested patterns used by programmers to create functional, elegant and reusable software.
By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be able to use the best design approaches and lessons learned from developers who have successfully dealt with most of these software design challenges.
6. Introduction to Algorithms, Fourth Edition
- Authors: Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest and Clifford Stein
- Best for: experienced programmers
Introduction to Algorithms covers a wide range of algorithms in depth, making it easier for all levels of readers to analyze and design algorithms. Due to its coverage, it is considered a leading text of reference for universities and professionals worldwide. The fourth edition includes new topics such as bipartite graphs, online algorithms and machine learning, and new materials on hash tables, potential function, and recurrence equations.
7. Pattern Hatching: Design Patterns Applied
- Author: John Vlissides
- Best for: experienced programmers
In Pattern Hatching, Vlissides dives into design patterns, which is arguably the most popular object oriented programming concept. He combines his expertise in pattern development with practical techniques to offer a comprehensive guide to better pattern applications. He also dispels many misconceptions about patterns prevalent in the software development industry and demystifies the development process to make it look easy.
8. Programming Pearls, Second Edition
- Author: Jon Bentley
- Best for: experienced programmers
Programming Pearls is considered a classic among programmers. Bentley distills his experiences beyond solid engineering to offer unique and clever solutions to design challenges experienced by programmers.
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He describes practical programming techniques and fundamental principles of design to serve every level of experience of programmers. Notably, Bentley focuses on hardcore challenges and the delivery of practical solutions.
9. The Art of Computer Programming, Volume 4A: Combinatorial Algorithms
- Author: Donald E. Knuth
- Best for: experienced programmers
Considered one of the most comprehensive and excellent books on software development, The Art of Computer Programming provides a unique and priceless resource in theory and practice for working professionals.
It comes packed with over 1500 exercises and hundreds of useful facts you’ll not find anywhere else. Knuth focuses on his favorite topics such as combinatorial generation, bread word computation, and more recent topics like binary decision diagrams.
10. The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey to Mastery
- Authors: David Thomas, Andrew Hunt
- Best for: beginners
The Pragmatic Programmer is one of the must-read books for every aspiring programmer. Thomas and Hunt wrote the first edition to help clients create better software through standard language, framework and methodologies.
Decades later, the book has expanded into a resource that re-examines what a modern programmer is. Reading it helps you develop habits and attitudes that will ensure career longevity.
Alternative Ways to Learn Programming
Besides seeking guidance from excellent programming books, there are many other ways to learn programming. For example, you can enroll in one of the best coding bootcamps depending on your chosen language. These intensive and accelerated programs start with instilling basic programming concepts and progress to offer an effective functional programming experience.
Meanwhile, you can choose to learn programming through other online resources such as Youtube videos, especially if you’re a beginner programmer. Online courses are also effective in training you on various aspects of software development. Nevertheless, your progress as a software developer will depend on the time and effort you devote to mastering it.
Is Learning Programming Worth It?
Learning to code is worth it because it helps you develop creativity and problem-solving skills, which opens up many career opportunities. In addition, you won’t be limited to working for a tech company as you can create products and launch your own solutions. This allows you to earn more money.
Best Programming Books FAQ
One of the best books for programming beginners is The Pragmatic Programmer. It uses stories and anecdotes to provide relatable and valuable guidance to software developers. Due to its practical approach, it has been made a university coursebook to help programming beginners join the coding world.
One essential book that every programmer should read is Code Complete by Steve McConnell, which comprehensively discusses programming constructs and best practices in 960 pages. Every aspect of software development is discussed and practical advice on code structure, formatting, and methods is well-explained in this book.
The most useful programming languages to learn include JavaScript, Python, and Java. According to the TIOBE Index, Python is currently the most popular programming language. However, the best language for you depends on your specific needs and the solutions you want to create for real-world problems.
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No, learning code is not hard. It is easy to grasp the basics of any programming language within a short time. However, understanding code well and reaching a point where you can write efficient code requires time and practice. Most programmers take years to become experts in their particular field. So, it’s best to approach coding with a long-term mindset.
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