Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, & technology book reviews, plus social, political, & economic commentary
Mastering Python, Second Edition by Rick van Hatten aims to help you “write powerful and efficient code using the full range of Python’s capabilities.” It’s a big book, some 680 pages in print form, and well written. And it does indeed delve into Python’s “full range.” Even so, a few reviewers have commented that they … Continue reading Mastering Python, 2nd Edition -> Big & Beneficial
Agile Metrics in Action Christopher W. H. Davis Manning – paperback In the rapidly changing world of software development, metrics “represent the data you can get from your application lifecycle as it applies to the performance of software development teams,” Christopher W. H. Davis writes in his well-written, well-structured new book, Agile Metrics in Action. … Continue reading Agile Metrics in Action: A good how-to guide to getting better performance measurements – #programming #bookreview
Big Data Principles and best practices of scalable real-time data systems Nathan Marz, with James Warren Manning – paperback Get this book, whether you are new to working with Big Data or now an old hand at dealing with Big Data’s seemingly never-ending (and steadily expanding) complexities. You may not agree with all … Continue reading BIG DATA: A well-written look at principles & best practices of scalable real-time data systems – #bookreview
JavaScript Application Design A Build First Approach Nicolas Bevacqua Manning – paperback I didn’t know how much I needed this book until I started reading it and exploring its code examples. Many of us who have worked with JavaScript started our connections to the language in very haphazard fashions. We learned some of it … Continue reading JavaScript Application Design: A book you likely need if you are working with, or still learning, JavaScript – #programming #bookreview
Soft Skills The Software Developer’s Life Manual John Z. Sonmez Manning – paperback I really wish I had had this book when I started a 14-year career in software development and testing. I was hired back in the days when you could get a software job by having a college degree (in anything), a couple of … Continue reading SOFT SKILLS: A very useful ‘life manual’ for software developers – #programming #bookreview
Node.js in Practice Alex Young and Marc Harter Manning – paperback I have had a long-term, love-ignore relationship with Node.js. I have taken Node classes, read Node books, and tinkered with Node programming both on Windows and Linux machines. Sometimes I have loved working with Node.js. Other times, I have ignored it for months … Continue reading NODE.js IN PRACTICE – A well-focused guide to understanding & using this powerful web development platform – #programming #bookreview
Git in Practice Mike McQuaid Manning Books – paperback I have taken Git how-to classes and read several how-to books on the Git distributed version control system. But I don’t use Git every day. Therefore, I tend to forget how to do certain tasks when I once again start bumbling around with … Continue reading GIT IN PRACTICE: A fine how-to guide, with 66 techniques for greater effectiveness in individual & team settings – #programming #bookreview
Advanced Software Testing, Volume 2, 2nd Edition Guide to the ISTQB Advanced Certification as an Advanced Test Manager Rex Black (Rocky Nook – paperback) Software testing is a complex and constantly evolving field. And having some well-recognized certifications is a good way to help encourage your continued employability as a software tester and manager … Continue reading Advanced Software Testing, Vol. 2, 2nd Edition – Study guide for ISTQB Advanced Test Manager – #bookreview
Node.js Blueprints Develop stunning web and desktop applications with the definitive Node.js Krasimir Tsonev (Packt Publishing – paperback, Kindle) Krasimir Tsonev’s new Node.js Blueprints book has proven helpful for me as I try to become more adept at using Node.js and a few of the many software packages that can work with it, such … Continue reading Node.js Blueprints – A good how-to book that covers plenty of JS frameworks and tools – #programming #bookreview
Ember.js in Action Joachim Haagen Skeie (Manning – paperback) The Ember.js JavaScript framework has “a steep learning curve,” Joachim Haagen Skeie cautions readers repeatedly in his new book. Indeed, Ember does. I’ve watched that learning curve confuse and frustrate several experienced JavaScript and Ruby on Rails developers. And I’ve banged my own (thick) skull … Continue reading Ember.js in Action – An ambitious overview, with glitches – #programming #bookreview
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