Top Five Books Every Programmer Should Read

"Nothing is better than reading and gaining more and more knowledge." - Stephen Hawking

Whether you have just started to code, are advancing in the IT sector, or are an industry expert, reading books can be a game-changer. As a programmer, it is essential to form a habit of learning consistently. What better way than reading books to learn new things and upskill on a daily basis? Below is a list of five programming books to add to your shelf:

1. The Art of Computer Programming by Professor Donald Knuth

For a computer science student, this programming book can be the ladder to learn programming and algorithms. The book explains the structural relationships between the various data elements and is a guide to solve the problems effectively.

There are four books in this series:
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Volume 1: Fundamental Algorithms‍

Volume 2: Seminumerical Algorithms‍

Volume 3: Sorting and Searching‍

Volume 4A: Combinatorial Algorithms

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Assembly languages are introduced in the first volume. The second volume covers topics such as floating-point computations and programming techniques in computer science. Sorting and searching algorithms, as well as permutations and combinatorics, are discussed in depth in the third and fourth volumes. This is definitely one of the best coding books to read!
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2. Clean Code by Robert C. Martin‍

Writing a functional and well-structured code is not an easy task. This programming book comes in handy while learning to write clean code. A clean code is easily understandable and structured such that it may be reused and debugged.

This programming book helps to find better approaches to write a clean code with its extensive exemplification. One can learn to write better unit tests and perform successive refinement. The illustrative examples of turning a poor code into a clean code can help the readers to understand their programming errors and improve their programs.‍

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3. Introduction to Algorithms by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein‍

This programming book provides a thorough overview of algorithms. It is frequently cited as a reference book in academic publications and by scholars. This is a must-have book for anyone who knows at least one programming language and has a basic understanding of data structures and algorithms.

This book's chapters are relatively self-contained and include multiple examples, making it appropriate for all programmers. It is an excellent resource for learning about contemporary algorithms. The language is comprehensible and easy to understand. However, before beginning to read this book, go over the mathematical background portion to get a better understanding of the arithmetic principles discussed.
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‍4. The Pragmatic Programmer: From JourneyMan to Master by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas‍

This is a fun read to learn to code. This programming book has a pragmatic methodology along with amusing anecdotes and examples. The tips mentioned at the back of the book are practical and useful for honing programming skills. The book delves into the fundamentals of writing efficient code. It comprises topics like software design, requirement analysis, and architecture. In addition, when designing software, the book focuses on professional development and personal responsibility. Even if you are not an avid reader, this book can keep you engaged!
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5. Head First Design Pattern by Eric Freeman, Elisabeth Robson, Bert Bates, and Kathy Sierra‍

Head First Design Pattern provides a simplified explanation of design patterns. It contains the tried-and-tested practices for developing functional, reusable, and flexible software. It focuses on Object-Oriented Programming and explains it in witty language with real-life examples. One can learn about various patterns ranging from The observer pattern to compound patterns. It is a must-read for all beginners as well as experienced programmers.

Level up your coding game with the help of best coding books and master the art of programming.

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