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Title: The Psychology of Computer Programming: Silver Anniversary Edition by Gerald M. Weinberg ISBN: 0-932633-42-0 Publisher: Dorset House Pub. Date: September, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $44.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.36 (11 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Silver anniversary edition hits gold
Comment: The silver anniversary edition is an updated version of the classic work originally published in 1971. How can this still be relevant? Easy: people haven't really changed.
Weinberg did something courageous in his updated text. Instead of whitewashing history, he let his original text stand, unedited, and simply commented on each chapter separately. The approach worked for me, making an already entertaining text a joy to read.
What is all this about? Weinberg writes "This book has only one major purpose--to trigger the beginning of a new field of study: computer programming as a human activity, or, in short, the psychology of computer programming. All other goals are subservient to that one." Indeed there has been much study of computer programming as an art and as a discipline for individuals and for groups. This book may represent the beginning of that noble effort.
Don't be put off by the technology Weinberg occasionally uses within the text. At the time of this book's writing, FORTRAN, PL/1, and APL were in common use and OS/360 was the defacto standard. If echoes of the past bother you, ignore them! Instead, concentrate on Weinberg's main topic: the people who develop software systems. For example, consider the following: "...the average programming manager would prefer that a project be estimated at twelve months and take twelve than the same project be estimated at six months and take nine. This is an area where psychological study could be rewarding, but there are indications from other situations that it is not the mean length of estimated time that annoys people, but, rather, the standard deviation in actual time taken." Of course this notion applies as much today as it did then. Weinberg provides numerous, powerful insights throughout the text that have stood the test of time. He got it right then--and it is still right.
The book is well researched and contains many stories. All ring true and some made me laugh out loud. If you don't see a little of yourself in this book, you aren't a computer professional. Buy it, read it, and then leave it on your manager's chair. It will do both of you a world of good.
Rating: 5
Summary: Condensed, highly quotable software wisdom. 0% redundancy!
Comment: What prompted me to buy and read this book was Steve McConnel's recommendation in Code Complete. After reading Psychology from cover to cover, I have become a Weinberg fan!
The book is a true jewel - not deficient, not redundant. Every sentence means a lot, and carries insight and pure wisdom. The book demands your utmost attention. Weinberg speaks with precision, simplicity, grace, and wisdom. I found myself quoting him very often! The anecdotes are memorable and relevant - you'll find yourself narrating them to others!
Things I liked most: The entire section on "Egoless Programming". The first three parts of the book are amazingly relevant, although the book has been written over 25 years back (I didn't even exist back then!)
Things I liked least: The last part "Programming Tools" seems to be the only part that's dated. It may be more meaningful to someoone who has experienced such tools and languages.
Now I look forward to reading Weinberg's other books, including "Becoming a Technical Leader", "The Secrets of Consulting", and the "Quality Software Management" series.
Rating: 3
Summary: Good info on collaborations, but short on details and dated
Comment: This book has a wealth of information on how programmers work when in groups, and is a useful read for both managers and individual contributors alike. Many of the fuzzier, less-quantifiable people issues that affect programmers are covered well.
However, it really suffers in three ways:
- All of the examples and technology details are dated to the point of distraction.
- The typography appears to be photocopies of the original text, and really looks terrible. Couldn't they have reset it?
- Not a lot of concrete advice.
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Title: The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering, Anniversary Edition (2nd Edition) by Frederick P. Brooks ISBN: 0201835959 Publisher: Addison-Wesley Pub Co Pub. Date: 02 August, 1995 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Peopleware : Productive Projects and Teams, 2nd Ed. by Tom Demarco, Timothy Lister, Timothy R. Lister ISBN: 0932633439 Publisher: Dorset House Pub. Date: 01 February, 1999 List Price(USD): $33.95 |
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Title: Becoming a Technical Leader: An Organic Problem-Solving Approach by Gerald M. Weinberg ISBN: 0932633021 Publisher: Dorset House Pub. Date: September, 1986 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Secrets of Consulting: A Guide to Giving and Getting Advice Successfully by Gerald M. Weinberg, Virginia Satir ISBN: 0932633013 Publisher: Dorset House Pub. Date: January, 1986 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Waltzing With Bears: Managing Risk on Software Projects by Tom Demarco, Timothy Lister ISBN: 0932633609 Publisher: Dorset House Pub. Date: March, 2003 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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