Patterns of Software: Tales from the Software Community
by Richard P. Gabriel
Publisher: Oxford University Press 1998
ISBN/ASIN: 0195121236
ISBN-13: 9780195121230
Number of pages: 239
Description:
In Patterns of Software, the respected software pioneer and computer scientist, Richard Gabriel, gives us an informative inside look at the world of software design and computer programming and the business that surrounds them. In this wide-ranging volume, Gabriel discusses such topics as what makes a successful programming language, how the rest of the world looks at and responds to the work of computer scientists, how he first became involved in computer programming and software development, what makes a successful software business, and why his own company, Lucid, failed in 1994, ten years after its inception.
Perhaps the most interesting and enlightening section of the book is Gabriel's detailed look at what he believes are the lessons that can be learned from architect Christopher Alexander, whose books--including the seminal A Pattern Language--have had a profound influence on the computer programming community. Gabriel illuminates some of Alexander's key insights--"the quality without a name," pattern languages, habitability, piecemeal growth--and reveals how these influential architectural ideas apply equally well to the construction of a computer program. Gabriel explains the concept of habitability, for example, by comparing a program to a New England farmhouse and the surrounding structures which slowly grow and are modified according to the needs and desires of the people who live and work on the farm. "Programs live and grow, and their inhabitants--the programmers--need to work with that program the way the farmer works with the homestead."
Although computer scientists and software entrepreneurs will get much out of this book, the essays are accessible to everyone and will intrigue anyone curious about Silicon Valley, computer programming, or the world of high technology.
Download or read it online for free here:
Download link
(1.2MB, PDF)
Similar books
Picturing Programs: an Introduction to Computer Programmingby Stephen Bloch - College Publications
Picturing Programs is a textbook for beginning computer programming, not directed towards learning a particular programming language, but rather at learning to program well. This book can be used at the high school or college level.
(17918 views)
Pablo's SOLID Software Developmentby Derick Bailey - LosTechies.com
S.O.L.I.D. is a collection of best-practice design principles which can be applied to your design, allowing you to accomplish various desirable goals such as loose-coupling, higher maintainability, intuitive location of interesting code, etc.
(19795 views)
Think Python: An Introduction to Software Designby Allen Downey - Green Tea Press
A concise introduction to software design using Python. Intended for people with no programming experience, this book starts with the most basic concepts and gradually adds new material. The goal is to teach you to think like a computer scientist.
(26269 views)
Don't Just Roll The Dice: A usefully short guide to software pricingby Neil Davidson - Red gate books
How do you price your software? Is it science or magic? How much attention should you pay to your competitors? This handbook will provide you with the theory, practical advice and case studies you need to stop yourself from reaching for the dice.
(20087 views)