Code Complete 2nd (second) edition Text Only

Code Complete offers a thorough as well as a common-sense approach to coding and programming. It provides guidelines and hints about how to write your code and why. The real-world and practical way the author presents the material will only make the owner of the book want future editions! Preface p. xix Acknowledgments p. xxvii List of Checklists p. xxix List of Tables p. xxxi List of Figures p. xxxiii Part I Laying the Foundation 1 Welcome to Software Construction p. 3 1.1 What Is Software Construction? p. 3 1.2 Why Is Software Construction Important? p. 6 1.3 How to Read This Book p. 8 2 Metaphors for a Richer Understanding of Software Development p. 9 2.1 The Importance of Metaphors p. 9 2.2 How to Use Software Metaphors p. 11 2.3 Common Software Metaphors p. 13 3 Measure Twice, Cut Once: Upstream Prerequisites p. 23 3.1 Importance of Prerequisites p. 24 3.2 Determine the Kind of Software You're Working On p. 31 3.3 Problem-Definition Prerequisite p. 36 3.4 Requirements Prerequisite p. 38 3.5 Architecture Prerequisite p. 43 3.6 Amount of Time to Spend on Upstream Prerequisites p. 55 4 Key Construction Decisions p. 61 4.1 Choice of Programming Language p. 61 4.2 Programming Conventions p. 66 4.3 Your Location on the Technology Wave p. 66 4.4 Selection of Major Construction Practices p. 69 Part II Creating High-Quality Code 5 Design in Construction p. 73 5.1 Design Challenges p. 74 5.2 Key Design Concepts p. 77 5.3 Design Building Blocks: Heuristics p. 87 5.4 Design Practices p. 110 5.5 Comments on Popular Methodologies p. 118 6 Working Classes p. 125 6.1 Class Foundations: Abstract Data Types (ADTs) p. 126 6.2 Good Class Interfaces p. 133 6.3 Design and Implementation Issues p. 143 6.4 Reasons to Create a Class p. 152 6.5 Language-Specific Issues p. 156 6.6 Beyond Classes: Packages p. 156 7 High-Quality Routines p. 161 7.1 Valid Reasons to Create a Routine p. 164 7.2 Design at the Routine Level p. 168 7.3 Good Routine Names p. 171 7.4 How Long Can a Routine Be? p. 173 7.5 How to Use Routine Parameters p. 174 7.6 Special Considerations in the Use of Functions p. 181 7.7 Macro Routines and Inline Routines p. 182 8 Defensive Programming p. 187 8.1 Protecting Your Program from Invalid Inputs p. 188 8.2 Assertions p. 189 8.3 Error-Handling Techniques p. 194 8.4 Exceptions p. 198 8.5 Barricade Your Program to Contain the Damage Caused by Errors p. 203 8.6 Debugging Aids p. 205 8.7 Determining How Much Defensive Programming to Leave in Production Code p. 209 8.8 Being Defensive About Defensive Programming p. 210 9 The Pseudocode Programming Process p. 215 9.1 Summary of Steps in Building Classes and Routines p. 216 9.2 Pseudocode for Pros p. 218 9.3 Constructing Routines by Using the PPP p. 220 9.4 Alternatives to the PPP p. 232 Part III Variables 10 General Issues in Using Variables p. 237 10.1 Data Literacy p. 238 10.2 Making Variable Declarations Easy p. 239 10.3 Guidelines for Initializing Variables p. 240 10.4 Scope p. 244 10.5 Persistence p. 251 10.6 Binding Time p. 252 10.7 Relationship Between Data Types and Control Structures p. 254 10.8 Using Each Variable for Exactly One Purpose p. 255 11 The Power of Variable Names p. 259 11.1 Considerations in Choosing Good Names p. 259 11.2 Naming Specific Types of Data p. 264 11.3 The Power of Naming Conventions p. 270 11.4 Informal Naming Conventions p. 272 11.5 Standardized Prefixes p. 279 11.6 Creating Short Names That Are Readable p. 282 11.7 Kinds of Names to Avoid p. 285 12 Fundamental Data Types p. 291 12.1 Numbers in General p. 292 12.2 Integers p. 293 12.3 Floating-Point Numbers p. 295 12.4 Characters and Strings p. 297 12.5 Boolean Variables p. 301 12.6 Enumerated Types p. 303 12.7 Named Constants p. 307 12.8 Arrays p. 310 12.9 Creating Your Own Types (Type Aliasing) p. 311 13 Unusual Data Types p. 319 13.1 Structures p. 319 13.2 Pointers p. 323 13.3 Global Data p. 335 Part IV Statements 14 Organizing Straight-Line Code p. 347 14.1 Statements That Must Be in a Specific Order p. 347 14.2 Statements Whose Order Doesn't Matter p. 351 15 Using Conditionals p. 355 15.1 if Statements p. 355 15.2 Case Statements p. 361 16 Controlling Loops p. 367 16.1 Selecting the Kind of Loop p. 367 16.2 Controlling the Loop p. 373 16.3 Creating Loops Easily--From the Inside Out p. 385 16.4 Correspondence Between Loops and Arrays p. 387 17 Unusual Control Structures p. 391 17.1 Multiple Returns from a Routine p. 391 17.2 Recursion p. 393 17.3 goto p. 398 17.4 Perspective on Unusual Control Structures p. 408 18 Table-Driven Methods p. 411 18.1 General Considerations in Using Table-Driven Methods p. 411 18.2 Direct Access Tables p. 413 18.3 Indexed Access Tables p. 425 18.4 Stair-Step Access Tables p. 426 18.5 Other Examples of Table Lookups p. 429 19 General Control Issues p. 431 19.1 Boolean Expressions p. 431 19.2 Compound Statements (Blocks) p. 443 19.3 Null Statements p. 444 19.4 Taming Dangerously Deep Nesting p. 445 19.5 A Programming Foundation: Structured Programming p. 454 19.6 Control Structures and Complexity p. 456 Part V Code Improvements 20 The Software-Quality Landscape p. 463 20.1 Characteristics of Software Quality p. 463 20.2 Techniques for Improving Software Quality p. 466 20.3 Relative Effectiveness of Quality Techniques p. 469 20.4 When to Do Quality Assurance p. 473 20.5 The General Principle of Software Quality p. 474 21 Collaborative Construction p. 479 21.1 Overview of Collaborative Development Practices p. 480 21.2 Pair Programming p. 483 21.3 Formal Inspections p. 485 21.4 Other Kinds of Collaborative Development Practices p. 492 22 Developer Testing p. 499 22.1 Role of Developer Testing in Software Quality p. 500 22.2 Recommended Approach to Developer Testing p. 503 22.3 Bag of Testing Tricks p. 505 22.4 Typical Errors p. 517 22.5 Test-Support Tools p. 523 22.6 Improving Your Testing p. 528 22.7 Keeping Test Records p. 529 23 Debugging p. 535 23.1 Overview of Debugging Issues p. 535 23.2 Finding a Defect p. 540 23.3 Fixing a Defect p. 550 23.4 Psychological Considerations in Debugging p. 554 23.5 Debugging Tools--Obvious and Not-So-Obvious p. 556 24 Refactoring p. 563 24.1 Kinds of Software Evolution p. 564 24.2 Introduction to Refactoring p. 565 24.3 Specific Refactorings p. 571 24.4 Refactoring Safely p. 579 24.5 Refactoring Strategies p. 582 25 Code-Tuning Strategies p. 587 25.1 Performance Overview p. 588 25.2 Introduction to Code Tuning p. 591 25.3 Kinds of Fat and Molasses p. 597 25.4 Measurement p. 603 25.5 Iteration p. 605 25.6 Summary of the Approach to Code Tuning p. 606 26 Code-Tuning Techniques p. 609 26.1 Logic p. 610 26.2 Loops p. 616 26.3 Data Transformations p. 624 26.4 Expressions p. 630 26.5 Routines p. 639 26.6 Recoding in a Low-Level Language p. 640 26.7 The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same p. 643 Part VI System Considerations 27 How Program Size Affects Construction p. 649 27.1 Communication and Size p. 650 27.2 Range of Project Sizes p. 651 27.3 Effect of Project Size on Errors p. 651 27.4 Effect of Project Size on Productivity p. 653 27.5 Effect of Project Size on Development Activities p. 654 28 Managing Construction p. 661 28.1 Encouraging Good Coding p. 662 28.2 Configuration Management p. 664 28.3 Estimating a Construction Schedule p. 671 28.4 Measurement p. 677 28.5 Treating Programmers as People p. 680 28.6 Managing Your Manager p. 686 29 Integration p. 689 29.1 Importance of the Integration Approach p. 689 29.2 Integration Frequency--Phased or Incremental? p. 691 29.3 Incremental Integration Strategies p. 694 29.4 Daily Build and Smoke Test p. 702 30 Programming Tools p. 709 30.1 Design Tools p. 710 30.2 Source-Code Tools p. 710 30.3 Executable-Code Tools p. 716 30.4 Tool-Oriented Environments p. 720 30.5 Building Your Own Programming Tools p. 721 30.6 Tool Fantasyland p. 722 Part VII Software Craftsmanship 31 Layout and Style p. 729 31.1 Layout Fundamentals p. 730 31.2 Layout Techniques p. 736 31.3 Layout Styles p. 738 31.4 Laying Out Control Structures p. 745 31.5 Laying Out Individual Statements p. 753 31.6 Laying Out Comments p. 763 31.7 Laying Out Routines p. 766 31.8 Laying Out Classes p. 768 32 Self-Documenting Code p. 777 32.1 External Documentation p. 777 32.2 Programming Style as Documentation p. 778 32.3 To Comment or Not to Comment p. 781 32.4 Keys to Effective Comments p. 785 32.5 Commenting Techniques p. 792 32.6 IEEE Standards p. 813 33 Personal Character p. 819 33.1 Isn't Personal Character Off the Topic? p. 820 33.2 Intelligence and Humility p. 821 33.3 Curiosity p. 822 33.4 Intellectual Honesty p. 826 33.5 Communication and Cooperation p. 828 33.6 Creativity and Discipline p. 829 33.7 Laziness p. 830 33.8 Characteristics That Don't Matter As Much As You Might Think p. 830 33.9 Habits p. 833 34 Themes in Software Craftsmanship p. 837 34.1 Conquer Complexity p. 837 34.2 Pick Your Process p. 839 34.3 Write Programs for People First, Computers Second p. 841 34.4 Program into Your Language, Not in It p. 843 34.5 Focus Your Attention with the Help of Conventions p. 844 34.6 Program in Terms of the Problem Domain p. 845 34.7 Watch for Falling Rocks p. 848 34.8 Iterate, Repeatedly, Again and Again p. 850 34.9 Thou Shalt Rend Software and Religion Asunder p. 851 35 Where to Find More Information p. 855 35.1 Information About Software Construction p. 856 35.2 Topics Beyond Construction p. 857 35.3 Periodicals p. 859 35.4 A Software Developer's Reading Plan p. 860 35.5 Joining a Professional Organization p. 862 Bibliography p. 863 Index p. 885

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

Excellent exposition of the software development process, specifically the author examines the software construction process itself, based on common commercial practices with a strong emphasis on quality, workflow and scheduling improvements. This practical guide presents effective software development practices for problem definition, requirement analysis, implementation planning, design, construction and integration. Indeed the practical aspects of the entire development cycle are analyzed and explained including testing, maintenance and enhancement. Focuses on data control, quality improvement and craftsmanship, that elusive state that distinguishes professional competence from hacking. Source code is in C and Pascal, replete with "key point" notes and more importantly with "coding horror" analysis. Emphasizes code optimization, testing and troubleshooting for constant quality improvement.

Take a strategic approach to software construction—and produce superior products—with this fully updated edition of Steve McConnell's critically praised and award-winning guide to software development best practices. 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 creativityReap the benefits of collaborative developmentApply defensive programming techniques to reduce and flush out errorsExploit opportunities to refactor—or evolve—code, and do it safelyUse construction practices that are right-weight for your projectDebug problems quickly and effectivelyResolve critical construction issues early and correctlyBuild quality into the beginning, middle, and end of your project Annotation 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 "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 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."--Jacket