The programming books that will make you an expert

How many times have you heard that programming is today’s occupation? Well, there’s no doubt that this is very much true and now you will be able to learn programming no matter what background you have. 

The most relevant thing is to start with the basics until you get to the more advanced topics. Now, the good news is that with programming books you will be able to take as much time as you need. 

Nowadays there are different programming books that will help you make the leap you need in your professional career. It's just a matter of choosing the one that fits for you to start programming.

Best programming books

Want to learn how to program like an expert? Check out the following books to get you off to a good start: 

1. Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs

We’ll start with one of the programming books that every programming learner should read. This book will help you understand the fundamentals of programming, allowing you to take your first steps in this exciting industry. 

Its authors are Harold Abelson, Gerald Jay Sussman and Julie Sussman. You will be surprised to learn that it is used as support material in the programming course at MIT, which shows that it is of sufficient quality. 

We love the fact that it employs Scheme to show the various programming concepts it has in it ranging from abstraction, recursion, and implementation of programming languages.

2. Concepts, techniques and models of computer programming

The second book in our list talks about everything related to programming concepts. It’s interesting because it begins with some basic concepts for beginners and then teaches you how to design and write from scratch.

In addition, each term is explained from scratch so that you can understand all the parameters that are part of the industry. 

In this sense, the book focuses on techniques of lasting value and explains them thoroughly in low-level language. That’s why it’s one of the options you have to take into account to advance in programming.

3. Clean Code

If you want to become an excellent programmer, it’s essential that you read Clean Code, which provides you with the knowledge of programming languages in a fun and entertaining way so that you can put it into practice as quickly as possible. 

We are struck by the fact that the material is divided into three parts: the first explains the principles, practices and patterns that will help you create a clean code. 

Then, you will see case studies where the difficulty increases as the pages go on and the third part gives you a list of heuristics and symptoms of bad code to get you off to a good start.

4. 500 lines or less

This book is very interesting because it focuses on the design decisions that every professional programmer has to make when building something from scratch. 

The examples shown in the book are programs that were created from scratch precisely to show the reader the different scenarios he will encounter. 

The best part of all is to see how 26 different programmers with many years of experience solve different problems until they reach the final result.

5. Don't make me think

Yes, the title is quite peculiar, but when you read it you will be delighted. 

It’s a work that addresses the basic principles of user experience and attaches different examples so that you can understand it perfectly. All this will allow you to create an intuitive web according to the demands of today's market. 

What we like most is that it’s shorter than the programming books we find in stores, so there’s no excuse to leave it aside. In addition, it uses clear and direct concepts so you will quickly understand it.

You'll learn all about the guiding principles here, so when you're done you'll be ready to get to work.

6. Introduction to Algorithms

On the other hand we have the Introduction to Algorithms, a fundamental concept to perfectly master programming. 

This book allows you to learn about different types of algorithms along with other terms related to the fundamentals of programming languages. At the end of it all, a program is a project that allows you to execute a command given to you by the developer and to accomplish it you need to set up different types of algorithms. 

We love the fact that all explanations are made in a digestible and easy to understand language. Forget the technicalities and learn in record time.

7. Complete Code: A Practical Handbook for Building Software

This work is considered by experts to be one of the most important guides to programming today. 

It’s a manual that covers all the elements that allow you to structure a quality code that’s independent of the program's architecture. 

It’s interesting because you’ll see different code examples that show all the science behind software development. Therefore, you will maximize your creativity, reduce errors and improve everything related to the debugging process.

8. Design Patterns

It’s a book that belongs to Head First and is characterized by talking about complex topics in units that are very easy to digest. 

Its visual format is very simple and attractive and it invites you to read it from the first moment you open it. The material explains the design patterns that are used by developers to build elegant, functional and reusable programs.

9. Soft Skills: The Software Developer's Life Handbook

It’s time for a book that departs from the tone of the previous works, and this one focuses on soft skills, those that are not placed in a portfolio and will help you to be a better programmer. 

The book explains different crucial aspects of a programmer's life, such as dealing with bosses, suppliers and clients, three agents with whom you will have contact throughout your professional career. 

In addition, you will learn how to create financial security in your profession, maintain productivity, relate work and physical exercise and everything you need to have an integral lifestyle in all senses.

10. The Art of Computer Programming

It’s an excellent book that will help you become a more competent programmer. However, you have to take into account that it’s the heaviest suggestion of all. It’s a series of 4 programming books in which you will find transcendental topics such as Algorithms, Volume, Classify and Search and Combinatorial Algorithms. 

With each one you will go deep into the algorithms so that you can create customized programs. 

Yes, the work is of great quality, but it’s important to understand that it is not for beginners because it has a much heavier language than the others.

Benefits of learning programming

More and more people are encouraged to learn the basics of programming, and there’s no doubt that it’s a trend that in one way or another is taking over other industries. 

It's time to ride the wave and learn to surf before the tide goes out. Let's take a look at some of the advantages of learning to program for your career:

1. Growing demand

Let's start with the high demand for programmers right now. Learning this will help you enter one of the fastest growing sectors at the moment. The European Commission published a study showing that in the old continent alone there are up to 200,000 jobs focused on this area. 

Also, other studies show that it’s a highly demanded position and at the same time difficult to fill because it requires very specific skills. Therefore, if you learn it, we can say that you will have a job for a long time.

2. Opportunity for your professional development

Many professionals decide to learn programming as a way to get better jobs in their niche. 

How is this possible? Well, thanks to the diversity of sectors that programming covers, you have the possibility to add this knowledge to your job. 

For example, a marketer can learn programming to learn the basics of back end development, front end development or web development, which will undoubtedly help them create powerful projects for their clients. 

3. Above-average salaries

We cannot deny the fact that one of the reasons why people leave their occupation is because of the low salaries they pay, which forces them to look for new activities and that’s where programming appears. 

Nowadays you have the possibility of finding jobs related to coding for 40,000 or 50,000 dollars a year without so many inconveniences. Have you looked for this amount in other professions? Surely you will find them, but they are scarcer.

4. Telework is on the agenda

Remember during the pandemic when there was so much talk about remote work? Well, even though we're back to normal now, the truth is that this became an irreversible trend. 

Working from home and work-life balance is something fundamental for everyone. Now, the problem is that not all companies and occupations allow it, but programming does. 

It’s normal to find programmers and developers in general working from home for big name companies such as Microsoft, Google and Apple. Think about it: If you can do it remotely, why do they need you in the office? 

5. Problem-solving skills

The ability to solve problems is a skill that you will develop 100% with programming. Specialists indicate that the act of programming is a job that consists of breaking down a big problem into different little problems and then applying the solution. 

Once you put it into practice you will develop a sense of logical thinking that will help you in all areas of your life. Apply it and tell us about your progress.

6. Boost creativity

Contrary to what many people think, programming is an activity that requires significant creative thinking, and the fact is that man does not live by problems alone, at the end of the day you have to think of a solution to create the software. 

The idea is that the answer is as simple as possible and provides something of value to the user. That’s why if you start programming you will develop a level of creativity that will be higher than when you started. 

Start now and overcome each of the challenges that programming sets for you.

7. Universal language

Tell us something: How many languages do you speak nowadays and in which countries are they used? It doesn't matter what the answer is, because if you learn programming you will understand a language that is used everywhere in the world. 

Maybe you don't speak German or Hungarian, but if you master several programming languages you will be able to have clients in these countries without any problem. Are you interested?

With this information it’s clear that programming books are a very useful tool to understand the basics of a profession that is at the forefront of the entire economy. 

Many people were afraid and suspicious of it, but with the passing of time it has become a trend that more and more human beings embrace to expand their professional possibilities. 

Would you like to join the movement? Leave us your impressions in the comments.