The Pragmatic Craftsman         :: Simplicity from complexity :: | About Me |

Agile Software Development, Principles, Patterns, and Practices
by Robert C Martin
ISBN 0135974445
Date Read 2004

My Rating

This book is simple. This book is complex. This book covers a lot of relevant information. This book is practical. This book is written in an easy to read, concise way. This book has become one of my favorite books. All in all, this is a great book.

First, the simplicity. Martin covers quite a few design patterns in this book. And the patterns examples are the best you'll find anywhere else. If you've read the GoF book, you know the examples there are not so easy to understand. Right now, I'm reading Refactoring to Patterns and some of the examples there are not easy to understand as well. But when I turn to this book, and a pattern is explained, it is simple, easy to read, easy to understand. That's exactly what I'm looking for! I didn't realize this on my first read of the book last year, but after reading other books on patterns, I see this very clearly. Uncle Bob (that's what they call the author), does an excellent job in explaining difficult material.

Second, the complexity. Some of the examples are in C++. And they're long. I like C++, but it is a lot harder to understand than Java. It is just not as elegant. If the examples were in Java, I would be a lot happier.

Third, the breadth of information. There is a lot of material covered in this book. Martin covers Agile processes (XP), testing, refactoring, class design principles, package design principles, patterns, and UML. All in one book! No wonder the book gets a little complex at times. However, the way the information is presented by Martin in a clear, pragmatic way is one of a kind.

Martin has become one of my favorite authors (along with Steve McConnell and Martin Fowler) by reading this book. His style of writing is excellent. He will tell you why you should do something, he will also tell you why you should avoid it. Simple. Clear. Filled with advice. Excellent. He is a true craftsman.

Get this book, read it, and have it by your side because you'll use it often. After a while, re-read it. You'll be a better developer, a better designer. A classic book.