Introduction
Are you a beginner in programming and would you like to learn more about this profession?
Nowadays you will come across a lot of information to train or update yourself regarding programming topics, you can find online courses, watch videos or read on your own, among others; for this reason, in this article we will focus on recommending the three best ones for programming beginners.
But before you read on, if you still don't know if you would like to go into programming, we invite you to read our article "Have you ever wondered if you would like to be a web programmer?" (add link above the article title - delete this) It will surely help you get more clarity on the subject.
Table of Contents
Why read programming books?
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Structured learning: The books are designed to take you step by step, from the basics to more in-depth topics, without jumps or confusion. African Leadership University
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Deep understanding: Unlike quick tutorials, the books explore the "why" behind the practices, cultivating a lasting understanding. African Leadership University
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No digital distractions: Reading a book - physical or digital - allows you to concentrate and absorb better, without pop-up notifications.
The 3 essential books to get started
Book N. 1:
"Clean code: style guide for agile software development."
In English: "Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship"
In this book, written by Robert C. Martin, the importance of creating a clean, orderly and effective code is emphasized.We have also learned about the different ways to make good use of resources and time, and how to avoid possible design problems.
As its name suggests, the main objective is to teach people who are dedicated to this profession how to program with clean code.
It is a book that stands out for its simplicity and clarity in the explanations.. In it you will find the definitions of readability, organization and certainty of operation of the code, the description of the principles, patterns and practices for writing clean code, case studies and examples in which, as the pages go by, they acquire complexity, among many other topics.
Book N. 2:
Complete Code: A Practical Handbook for Building Software
In English: "Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction."
This is one of the best books with practical exercises on programming.
Author Steve McConell, seeks to teach how to write solid code by explaining everything from structure, integration and unit testing to how to manage a team.The most common errors in programming are explained.
Do not hesitate to read it, in this book you will find the best guide on the most effective techniques to write high quality code.
Book N. 3:
Structure and interpretation of computer programs
In English: "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs."
It is one of the most widely read books for beginning programmers because it explains the fundamental principles of computer programming. It was written by Massachusetts Institute of Technology professors Harold Abelson and Gerald Jay Sussman with Julie Sussman. It is known, among programmers, as the Magician's Book.
This book, among its topics, discusses recursion, abstraction, modularity and the design and implementation of programming languages.
Surely, if you are a beginner, this book might take you some time to understand it, but it is really amazing for the contributions it has made to different university programs, where it has been seen to be a book with great information for beginners in programming.
Practical comparison: Which one to read first?
| Book | Approach | Ideal level | Main fortress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Code | Best practices and style | Beginner to intermediate | Clean and readable code |
| Code Complete | Solid software construction | Complete beginner | Detailed practices and real examples |
| SICP | Fundamentals and abstraction | Motivated beginner | Deep thinking and universal structures |
Additional recommendations (optional)
If after these three you want to explore further, other recommended books include:
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Python Crash Course - ideal for getting started with Python through hands-on projects. qntm.org+2Hacker News+2African Leadership University
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Eloquent JavaScript - excellent for beginners aiming at web development. African Leadership University
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Automate the Boring Stuff with Python - learn to program by solving real tasks from day one. African Leadership University
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Conclusion
We leave you with these three books, which have proven to be effective to introduce you to the world of programming. We are sure they are a good start.
Remember that the programming market is one of the fastest growing and is projected to grow even more in the coming years. All companies need programmers to manage the base or "what people don't see" of web pages, blogs or online stores; therefore, don't waste any more time and start reading and preparing yourself to become one of the best programmers.
