The best 20 Software Engineering books

Refactoring to Patterns by Joshua Kerievsky is a practical guide that demonstrates how to apply design patterns to refactor existing code. It provides real-world examples and step-by-step instructions to help software developers improve the design, maintainability, and extensibility of their codebase. By combining the concepts of refactoring and design patterns, this book offers valuable insights for creating high-quality software.

Clean Architecture by Robert C. Martin is a must-read for software developers and architects. It delves into the principles and practices of creating clean, maintainable, and scalable software architecture. With real-world examples and practical advice, the book guides readers in designing systems that are flexible and easy to understand, making it an invaluable resource for anyone involved in software development.

Joel on Software is a collection of insightful essays by Joel Spolsky, a renowned software developer and co-founder of Trello and Stack Overflow. Through real-world examples and practical advice, Spolsky offers valuable insights into the art of software development, project management, and the tech industry. Whether you're a seasoned developer or a newcomer to the field, this book provides thought-provoking perspectives and actionable tips to help you navigate the world of software.

Building Microservices by Sam Newman is a comprehensive guide that explores the principles and best practices for designing, building, and deploying microservice-based applications. It covers topics such as communication between services, data management, testing, and monitoring, providing valuable insights for developers and architects looking to embrace this architectural style.

The Art of UNIX Programming by Eric S. Raymond delves into the principles and practices of the UNIX philosophy and how they influence software design. It offers valuable insights for programmers and developers on creating elegant, efficient, and maintainable code. Through real-world examples and historical context, the book showcases the artistry and craftsmanship behind UNIX programming.

The Art of Unit Testing by Roy Osherove provides a comprehensive guide to writing effective unit tests. It covers topics such as test-driven development, test doubles, and best practices for writing maintainable and reliable unit tests. This book is a valuable resource for developers looking to improve their testing skills and create high-quality software.

Pro Git by Scott Chacon is a comprehensive guide to the Git version control system. It covers everything from the basics of Git to advanced topics such as branching and merging, rebasing, and more. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, this book will help you understand and master Git.

Growing Object-Oriented Software, Guided by Tests (2009) by Steve Freeman and Nat Pryce is a comprehensive guide to test-driven development (TDD) and its application in building robust, maintainable software. Through practical examples and insightful explanations, the book demonstrates how TDD can drive the design and development of object-oriented systems, leading to higher quality code and faster delivery.

97 Things Every Programmer Should Know is a collection of essays from experienced programmers and thought leaders in the software industry. It covers a wide range of topics including code design, testing, teamwork, and career development. Each essay offers practical advice and insights, making it a valuable resource for programmers at all levels.

UML Distilled by Martin Fowler is a concise guide to the Unified Modeling Language (UML). It provides a clear explanation of UML concepts and diagrams, making it an essential resource for software developers and designers. The book focuses on the practical application of UML in real-world projects, making it a valuable reference for anyone involved in software development.

Applying UML and Patterns by Craig Larman is a comprehensive guide to object-oriented analysis and design using UML (Unified Modeling Language) and design patterns. It provides practical examples and real-world case studies to help software developers and architects understand how to apply these techniques in their own projects. This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their software design skills.

Designing Data-Intensive Applications by Martin Kleppmann delves into the world of data systems and explores the principles, techniques, and best practices for building scalable and reliable applications. From databases and data storage to data processing and messaging systems, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and trade-offs involved in designing data-intensive applications. Whether you're a software engineer, data architect, or anyone working with data, this book offers valuable insights to help you make informed decisions and tackle real-world problems.

Coders at Work (2009) by Peter Seibel features in-depth interviews with fifteen notable computer programmers, offering insights into their career paths, code writing philosophies, and thoughts on the future of software development. The book provides a valuable glimpse into the minds of individuals who have made significant contributions to the world of coding.

Hackers & Painters explores the world of computer programming and its impact on our society. Paul Graham discusses the similarities between hackers and painters, highlighting the creative and problem-solving aspects of both fields. He also delves into the history of programming, the importance of simplicity in design, and the potential for technology to shape our future.

Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment by W. Richard Stevens is a comprehensive guide for experienced programmers looking to deepen their understanding of UNIX programming. It covers topics such as file I/O, system calls, processes, signals, and interprocess communication, providing detailed explanations and code examples. This book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to master UNIX system programming.

Release It! by Michael T. Nygard is a must-read for anyone working in software development or operations. It offers valuable insights and practical advice on designing and deploying resilient, scalable, and maintainable software systems. Through real-world examples and case studies, Nygard highlights common pitfalls and best practices, ultimately guiding readers towards building more robust and reliable applications.

The Cathedral & the Bazaar (1999) by Eric S. Raymond explores the world of open-source software development. Through insightful essays and case studies, Raymond discusses the advantages of the decentralized, collaborative approach of the bazaar compared to the traditional, closed model of the cathedral. This book offers valuable lessons for anyone interested in the power of community-driven innovation.

Effective Modern C++ by Scott Meyers is a comprehensive guide to using C++11 and C++14 effectively. It covers a wide range of topics including type deduction, smart pointers, move semantics, and concurrency support. The book provides practical advice and real-world examples to help C++ developers write cleaner, safer, and more efficient code in the modern C++ era.

Software Requirements by Karl Wiegers is a comprehensive guide to the essential practices of software requirements engineering. It provides practical advice on how to elicit, analyze, specify, validate, and manage software requirements. This book is a valuable resource for software engineers, business analysts, and project managers who want to improve their requirements engineering skills and deliver successful software projects.

Game Programming Patterns by Robert Nystrom is a must-read for game developers. It offers insightful explanations and practical examples of common design patterns used in game development. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced programmer, this book will help you improve your code organization and create more efficient and flexible game systems.