Programming is sometimes 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 coding books. We’ll go through a few tips, and to illustrate further, we’ll look at 10 of the best books to learn coding. 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.
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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: A Brain-Friendly Guide | 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 |
| Learning Python: Powerful Object-Oriented Programming | Mark Lutz | Python programming, Python syntax and statements, object-oriented programming, advanced Python |
| 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: In Detail
Now that we have listed the best books to learn programming, let’s have a closer look at what each book offers to the average user. Some of these books are designed for complete beginners, while others are more helpful to experienced programmers.
A few computer programming books on our list might be written for programming experts who want to advance their knowledge or learn different ways to solve specific software design challenges. This section discusses the best books on coding in more detail.
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 an entire project. 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 effective techniques and principles of the art and science of software construction.
This is one of the best books on computer programming, regardless of your experience level, development environment, or the project’s size, because it 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: A Brain-Friendly Guide
- Authors: Eric Freeman, Elisabeth Robson, Bert Bates, Kathy Sierra
- Best for: New programmers
This book on computer programming 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.
This is one of the best books to learn coding because the authors are experienced programmers and the content is designed to be engaging and accessible to complete beginners.
6. Introduction to Algorithms, Fourth Edition
- Authors: Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, 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 content, it is considered one of the best books on coding.
It is 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 functions, and more.
7. Learning Python: Powerful Object-Oriented Programming
- Author: Mark Lutz
- Best for: Experienced programmers
Python is of the best programming languages to learn, suitable for backend development, data science, and machine learning. With Learning Python, you’ll start with basic tutorials and work your way through more advanced topics. The book’s step-by-step approach is easy to grasp and simple to start, and the gradual difficulty increase ensures that you’ll never be bored or overwhelmed.
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 clever solutions to common design challenges. He describes practical programming techniques and fundamental principles of design to serve programmers of all levels. 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 comes packed with over 1,500 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: New programmers
The Pragmatic Programmer is one of the best books to learn programming. Thomas and Hunt wrote the first edition to help aspiring programmers create better software through standard language, frameworks, and methodologies. Decades later, the book has expanded into a resource that re-examines what a modern programmer is. It can help you develop habits and attitudes that will ensure career longevity.
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. 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.
If you dream of a career as a computer programmer, you have to set a good foundation by reading the right books. 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 toward finding the best books on computer programming.
Tips for Choosing the Best Programming Books
- Know Your Skill Level. An excellent place to start when looking for the best coding books 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 the best 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 readers, empowering non-readers to select good books. If you’re planning to be a self-taught programmer, you’ll want to find the best books about coding that other programmers have found easy to use.
- Ask Experienced Programmers. A seasoned 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 in the field. Join these platforms and ask for people’s recommendations on the best coding books for beginners, and you’ll be surprised at how helpful they can be.
Which Are the Best Books for Programming Beginners?
The best books for programming beginners cover the fundamentals of computer science thoroughly and explain common concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. Some beginner coding books may serve as an introduction to a specific programming language while others tackle programming paradigms. This list highlights five of the best books for coding beginners.
- The Self-Taught Programmer: The Definitive Guide to Programming Professionally by Cory Althoff
- HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites by Jon Duckett
- Beginner’s Step-by-Step Coding Course: Learn Computer Programming the Easy Way by David Krowitz and Craig Steele
- Python Programming for Beginners 2023 Edition by Cory Reed
- Coding All-in-One For Dummies by Nikhil Abraham
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 before progressing to advanced topics.
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.
Are Programming Books Worth It?
The best programming books are worth investing in because they offer crucial insights into computer programming and valuable tips that can help you succeed. The best coding books also help you develop creativity and problem-solving skills which can open up many career opportunities.
It is established that learning to code is worth it, especially if you are looking to launch a tech career. With such in-demand skills in your toolbox, you won’t be limited to working for a tech company as you can create products and launch your own solutions. After looking at some of the best books to learn coding in this article, it is evident that there are a lot of resources available to help you go from novice to professional programmer.
Best Programming Books FAQ
Yes, you can find free programming books that cover a wide range of topics online. There are a lot of dedicated sites like Goalkicker, Stack Overflow, and DuckDuckGo that offer free ebooks, guides, and tutorials to help you in your learning journey. Most of these free programming books explain a specific topic in a concise and easy-to-understand way.
What are some alternative ways to learn programming?
One of the best ways to learn programming is by enrolling in a coding bootcamp. Coding bootcamps offer immersive, short-term technical training that teaches industry-aligned skills. On top of tech skills, career assistance and mentoring are also provided to students. As more companies embrace skills-based hiring, coding bootcamps can help you become job-ready in just a few months.
What is the most useful programming language to learn?
The most useful programming languages to learn are Python, Java, C, and C++. According to the latest TIOBE Index, these four languages have a collective market share of 55 percent. They also sit in the top five spots of TIOBE’s most popular languages, based on the number of professionals and resources available. Regardless, the best language for you ultimately depends on your specific needs and the solutions you want to create.
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Is learning to code hard?
No, learning how to 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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