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The title should read: "What's the single most influential book every programmer should read?", but it was too long.

I found a thread with this exact title while searching the net for book review and thought the question would be interesting to pose here where people actually know what they're talking about.

I will of course start out with the first book, which I've had as long as I can remember and keep recommending to people who show an interest in the subject of computer hardware/programming.

CODE
The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software
by Charles Petzold


So why do I like this book so much? Simply because the most basic things that you'd want to know when it comes to computer hardware/programming and such, is explained in such a way that even the most retarded person can understand. Sure, in the programmers world it is kind of a baby book, but even so, I think that even many professional programmers will learn a thing or two from it. Wouldn't be the first time an important lesson come from a child story.

In any case it has probably been the most influential book in my, albeit limited, career.

Zacariaz wrote:Just wanted to let people know that to me this is just and subject of interest, I'm not actually looking for advice or anything, though I may be at some point, but for now I know that the next 4-6 book I'm gonna buy is.

There's no One True Programming Book, IMHO. The things you need are covered in so many individual books that there's no specific bible really.

I therefore recommend, for reasons unknown, George Orwell's 1984

Probably not what you're looking for, but there are two writings that influenced me greatly:

• The Maxon C++ v3 Tutorial (part of that compiler's handbook). Its lighthearted approach at teaching you C++ convinced me that coding is both tricky and fun at the same time. That is something you should never forget, neither of the two sides.
• A text file on the Amiga Developer CD, forgot what it was called exactly, written by Heinz Wrobel. It impressed on me the importance of all those things that don't have to do with the language: Version control, clean coding style, stuff like that. Actually I hadn't even heard of version control before - and have never done any coding without it, ever since.

Other than that, I strongly recommend Terry Pratchett, J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Asprin, and other masters of writing books that are not about our world, but yet again are. Taking a mental break from our reality is sometimes necessary to keep your sanity intact.

Just wanted to let people know that to me this is just and subject of interest, I'm not actually looking for advice or anything, though I may be at some point, but for now I know that the next 4-6 book I'm gonna buy is.

Pragmatic Thinking and Learning

One of the best books I've ever read. It's basically an introduction to basic human psychology using analogies that programmers understand (which is a lot of fun) followed by a truckload of tips on how to learn better and how to solve problems more effectively. Of course, it's not just applicable to programming, but that's where the emphasis is.

I'd also like to second Combuster's suggestion for reading 1984 by George Orwell. It is a crticially important book for all adults to read. Basically, it's "don't do this."

Zacariaz wrote:The title should read: "What's the single most influential book every programmer should read?", but it was too long.

Not a clue, I haven't seen a book I would say that about. "we built our own computers" and a book on Boolean algebra got me hooked back in 1972. I still have a thing for air logic and plc's.

Zacariaz wrote:What's the single most influential book every programmer should read?

Any book about assembly language programming on the platform of your choice. It teaches you how computers actually work, which is helpful when programming in higher level languages, or even when using a word processor.

Roel

Hobbes wrote:...or even when using a word processor.

Lousy wordprocessors are you using, padawan...

Solar wrote:Lousy wordprocessors are you using, padawan...

I write all my code with... Microsoft Word. Seriously.

Hobbes wrote:Any book about assembly language programming on the platform of your choice. It teaches you how computers actually work, which is helpful when programming in higher level languages, or even when using a word processor.

Roel

If I would recommend book(s) for learning how computers actually work, list would include more electronics than programming, but what ever.

Fronty, I was referring to the logic, not the physic. When I first learned assembly language, I knew BASIC so I had some understanding of what an algorithm is. Nevertheless it was an eye opener to see how a FOR ... NEXT loop is actually implemented.

Okay, that makes sense.

Hobbes wrote:

Solar wrote:Lousy wordprocessors are you using, padawan...

I write all my code with... Microsoft Word. Seriously.

Sorry but I don't buy that one.

Solar wrote:Sorry but I don't buy that one.

Don't worry, you're not expected to.