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Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction Paperback – Unabridged, 9 Jun. 2004

by Steve Mcconnell (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 1,206 ratings
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Widely considered one of the best practical guides to programming, Steve McConnell’s original CODE COMPLETE has been helping developers write better software for more than a decade. Now this classic book has been fully updated and revised with leading-edge practices―and hundreds of new code samples―illustrating the art and science of software construction. Capturing the body of knowledge available from research, academia, and everyday commercial practice, McConnell synthesizes the most effective techniques and must-know principles into clear, pragmatic guidance. No matter what your experience level, development environment, or project size, this book will inform and stimulate your thinking―and help you build the highest quality code.
Discover the timeless techniques and strategies that help you:

  • Design for minimum complexity and maximum creativity
  • Reap the benefits of collaborative development
  • Apply defensive programming techniques to reduce and flush out errors
  • Exploit opportunities to refactor―or evolve―code, and do it safely
  • Use construction practices that are right-weight for your project
  • Debug problems quickly and effectively
  • Resolve critical construction issues early and correctly
  • Build quality into the beginning, middle, and end of your project
Read more
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  1. ISBN-10
    0735619670
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0735619678
  3. Edition
    2nd
  4. Publisher
    Microsoft Press US
  5. Publication date
    9 Jun. 2004
  6. Part of series
    Developer Best Practices
  7. Language
    English
  8. Dimensions
    19.05 x 4.13 x 23.18 cm
  9. Print length
    960 pages
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About the Author

Steve McConnell is recognized as one of the premier authors and voices in the development community. He is Chief Software Engineer of Construx Software and was the lead developer of Construx Estimate and of SPC Estimate Professional, winner of Software Development magazine's Productivity Award. He is the author of several books, including Code Complete and Rapid Development, both honored with Software Development magazine's Jolt Award.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Microsoft Press US
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 9 Jun. 2004
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 960 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0735619670
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0735619678
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 1.41 kg
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 19.05 x 4.13 x 23.18 cm
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ Developer Best Practices
  • Best Sellers Rank: 100,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 1,206 ratings

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Steve McConnell

Steve McConnell

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Steve McConnell is an award-winning, best-selling author of practical software development books that are informed by years of working with companies worldwide. His first book, "Code Complete", has been recognized as the best-selling, best-reviewed software development book of all time. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than one million copies. His most recent book is "More Effective Agile: A Roadmap for Software Leaders."

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4.6 out of 5 stars
1,206 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book readable and easy to understand, with one noting it covers many aspects of programming and contains strategies for good software development. They consider it a worthwhile investment for programmers at all levels.

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ReadabilityProgramming knowledgeEase of readingValue for money
16 customers mention ‘Readability’16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and brilliant, with one customer noting it is a must-read for developers.

"...Great book. I bought it a number of years ago when I was a first year undergraduate and I have really gotten good use out of it...." Read more

"This a great book and should be bought by any level of programmer. If your a novice, you will keep coming back to this book every time." Read more

"...This book is worth a read for all of us, at any level...." Read more

"...things other reviewers already pointed out, this book has a fantastic reading list at the end of it which shows the path towards becoming a..." Read more

15 customers mention ‘Programming knowledge’15 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's comprehensive coverage of programming concepts and strategies for good software development, with one customer noting its value for developers at all levels.

"...It is one of the most thorough and elaborate works on programming I have ever seen...." Read more

"...pretty dry material into something that is very readable and incredibly well cited (especially all of the hard data)...." Read more

"Amazingly comprehensive, a worthwhile investment for programmers at all levels. This is a reference book you can use again and again...." Read more

"Code Complete is a good collection of advice and insight into the practice of developing software, but even the second edition shows its age and..." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Ease of reading’7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book surprisingly easy to read and simple to understand.

"...Simple and obvious. Most of what is in this book is simple and obvious, but then we do all need that pointing out often and frequently!..." Read more

"...I should have read this years ago when I graduated. It is easy to read despite being fairly chunky. Everything is here you'll need...." Read more

"Excellent advice from start to finish. Easy to read, and every page is stuffed with great tips. Every developer should read this." Read more

"This is a big book. Really big. Despite its size, though, it is an easy read and a rewarding one...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Value for money’6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well worth the investment, with one mentioning it's a valuable guide for programmers at all levels.

"...Bear in mind it is a heavy, lengthy book but is worth having in your collection. 4* because I'd like to see it updated." Read more

"Amazingly comprehensive, a worthwhile investment for programmers at all levels. This is a reference book you can use again and again...." Read more

"This is a very useful guide for every software developer regardless of the platform or language they use...." Read more

"...Well worth it." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Benedict Carey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth a read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 May 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I'm really not sure if I'm a veteran or not, writing rubbish code since I was a kid in the 80s and getting paid for it for the past couple of decades.

    This book is worth a read for all of us, at any level. Ok, maybe a beginner wouldn't get it, but if you've been hacking code long enough to know the modern languages are abstractions and simplifications of what came before then you'll read through the parts that seem less obvious.

    Maybe or maybe not a spoiler, but if in doubt, try writing a test case, see how it pans out. Simple and obvious. Most of what is in this book is simple and obvious, but then we do all need that pointing out often and frequently!

    It's not a bible of coding, there is no such thing, but it is something we should all have a go at. I didn't rail against anything Steve had to say (unlike, say, Cooper), but that isn't to say he or I are right. I do think he is sticking to making sensible observations about what he thinks is worth saying from a lifetime of coding, as oppose to trying to be exciting. For that alone, I recommend him.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • John Walker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read. Packed with information. Brilliant!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2010
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of the best software books that I have ever read. It is so well written.

    At first I thought he was being a little too thorough by backing up almost every piece of advice with hard evidence / research statistics etc. But, by reading a chapter by night and working at the 'programming coal face' by day, I have found myself seeing real benefits from that 'teaching approach'.

    Whilst programming I often ask "Shall I do this, shall I do that?", I find it very easy to recall not only which solution is best, but why. Its liberating to make a decision based on my own judgement, rather than "just cos some guru said so in a book".

    He doesn't give you a set of recipes, but a set of tools and principals and I cannot think of anyone who would not benefit from having this on their bookshelf.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Marcelo Lazaroni
    5.0 out of 5 stars A primer on writing code
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 April 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This brings about a level-up on any programmer.
    In addition to all the great things other reviewers already pointed out, this book has a fantastic reading list at the end of it which shows the path towards becoming a knowledgeable senior dev.

    It is one of the most thorough and elaborate works on programming I have ever seen.
    It transformed my code and had a huge influence in my career.
    I still keep it with me and go back to check things on it every once in a while.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Vivianna
    4.0 out of 5 stars Lot of effort gone into writing this.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 May 2022
    Verified Purchase
    It's one of my bedtime read books (I'm not kidding, and I don't read it to make me sleep!). I think some people might find it a little verbose because you can read several pages without 'learning' a great deal. That's fine for me however and I appreciate the knowledge the writer has to complete this great tome. It was written a long time ago but is still relevant today. Bear in mind it is a heavy, lengthy book but is worth having in your collection. 4* because I'd like to see it updated.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Sohnee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Requires Effort and Rewards It
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 January 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is a big book. Really big. Despite its size, though, it is an easy read and a rewarding one.

    I have followed the citations back to some of the studies and books that are cited in Code Complete and you can trust me that Steve McConnell has transformed some pretty dry material into something that is very readable and incredibly well cited (especially all of the hard data).

    This is a book you read if you want to take software development seriously.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Jennifers Daddy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mandatory
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 December 2005
    Verified Purchase
    Code Complete 2 is another brilliant book from Steve mcConnell. I should have read this years ago when I graduated. It is easy to read despite being fairly chunky. Everything is here you'll need. Designing classes, loops, naming conventions, debugging, testing, refactoring, human factors and loads loads more.
    I agree in part with the more negative review on here. Any book is the authors point of view, but Steve mcConnell backs everything he says with data from previous experiments, journals and "famous" successfull/failed projects. There are many compelling arguments in here to change the processes you use to develop and design software. I'm getting my boss to get everyone in the department a copy before our next major project. It's that good!
    This needs to be mandatory reading, no excuses.
    35 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very good introduction to non-computer sciency programming
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 October 2019
    Verified Purchase
    If you are looking for a good introduction to take your basic programming skills to the next level, this is definitely your go-to friend! Great book. I bought it a number of years ago when I was a first year undergraduate and I have really gotten good use out of it. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.
    Helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A book I will be using for years to come
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 September 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Amazingly comprehensive, a worthwhile investment for programmers at all levels. This is a reference book you can use again and again. Not the type of the book you will read cover-to-cover, though. If you are looking for a tutorial-level style of literature, look elsewhere. I bought the used version and I was very happy with the quality.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Gunkan
    5.0 out of 5 stars El libro que recomendaría a cualquier estudiante o profesional del mundo informático
    Reviewed in Spain on 21 March 2014
    Verified Purchase
    No podría describir con palabras lo que esta obra me ha aportado para mi trabajo diario. Resume en casi 900 páginas la experiencia en el desarrollo de software de toda una carrera profesional. Cualquier persona que quiera mejorar como desarrollador de software debería tenerlo en su estantería.
    Report
  • Sébastien Wilmet
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un des livres qui m'a été le plus utile en programmation
    Reviewed in France on 27 December 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Après avoir appris un langage de programmation et pratiqué quelques années, je recommande chaudement de lire Code Complete. Ce livre a totalement changé la façon dont je programme, je fais maintenant beaucoup plus attention à la qualité du code, pour que le code soit facilement compréhensible. Avec comme résultat qu'il y a beaucoup moins de bugs dès le départ, et un code qui est maintenable à plus long terme, plus facile à modifier, etc.

    Ce livre est très complet sur les bonnes pratiques en programmation (pour la partie « construction »), et inclut également des chapitres sur les détails à petite échelle dans le code comme le nom des variables, le nom des fonctions, organiser une suite d'instructions, les bonnes pratiques pour les conditions et les boucles, etc etc. D'autres livres sur les bonnes pratiques en programmation ne vont pas aussi loin dans ces détails, pourtant c'est tout aussi important pour la compréhension du code et éviter des bugs.
    Report
  • lollollol
    5.0 out of 5 stars cool
    Reviewed in Italy on 7 May 2024
    Verified Purchase
    teaches how do u write beautiful and cool
    code fr
    Report
  • Chris Baehr
    5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what you need to become better at what you do in this field.
    Reviewed in Canada on 30 May 2014
    Verified Purchase
    If you're like me then you've probably purchased your fair share of "product and language" books over the years. Those books generally teach you the basics of how to use some company's product or language, but the knowledge doesn't transfer over, and they don't actually make you a better developer.

    Insert Code Complete.

    This is the book that the software development world has needed for a long time. Instead of focusing on languages, it focuses on general design best practices that are applicable to most languages. Knowing the material in this book will elevate you from the junior developer ranks up to a more senior skill level.
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  • Ananth venkatesan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Code complete 2nd edition
    Reviewed in India on 10 August 2024
    Verified Purchase
    very good book
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