Features
- Cover Type: Paperback with 352 pages
- Published by: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media
- Edition: 1st Edition February 21, 2008
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0071490833
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0071490832
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Book Dimensions:
9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
- Weighs: 1.3 pounds
Reader Reviews
First off, you'll have to forgive this book for the title. Using the term "Rock Star Programmers" is just a piece of techie humor that was probably used to sell the book. The problem is, any non-techie that sees you reading it will probably think you're an egotistical chic-geek. Inside the cover, however, is a wealth of information from various programmers across the industry. What these folks have to say about the software industry's *past* is extremely relevant for budding programmers and the people that have to manage them (and understand them). The author asks each of his subjects what they see coming in the next cycle of technology, but those answers are always vague. It's the observation of the industry's past successes and failures that gives the real answers, and the author flushed that out pretty well. I also think the author did a decent job getting a variety of people for his interviews. There are gurus, company guys, program managers, pure coders, etc. I don't know the exact coding languages or frameworks of 75% of the subjects, but it doesn't matter. Software is software and there are enough Microsoft, Java, C, and open source guys to avoid any support to the idea that any one technology is best. The book does a good job of not making the reader feel they need to do more research to understand the conversation. And the last chapter of a "real" rock star was still a nice touch, regardless that some other reviewers that didn't get the humor. Overall, I'd say this is a good book to read if you are trying to learn what the software industry is about or you've been charged with the tasks of managing the technical direction for your project or firm for the first time.
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