Widely considered one of the best practical guides to programming, Steve McConnell’s original code complete has been helping developers write better software for more than a decade. Now this classic book has been fully updated and revised with leading-edge practices—and hundreds of new code samples—illustrating the art and science of software construction. Capturing the body of knowledge available from research, academia, and everyday commercial practice, McConnell synthesizes the most effective techniques and must-know principles into clear, pragmatic guidance. No matter what your experience level, development environment, or project size, this book will inform and stimulate your thinking—and help you build the highest quality code. 

Discover the timeless techniques and strategies that help you: 

•  Design for minimum complexity and maximum creativity

•  Reap the benefits of collaborative development

•  Apply defensive programming techniques to reduce and flush out errors

•  Exploit opportunities to refactor—or evolve—code, and do it safely

•  Use construction practices that are right-weight for your project

•  Debug problems quickly and effectively

•  Resolve critical construction issues early and correctly

•  Build quality into the beginning, middle, and end of your project .

Table of Contents

Part I: Laying the Foundation

Chapter 1: Welcome to Software Construction

Chapter 2: Metaphors for a Richer Understanding of Software Development

Chapter 3: Measure Twice, Cut Once: Upstream Prerequisites

Chapter 4: Key Construction Decisions

Part II: Creating High-Quality Code

Chapter 5: Design in Construction

Chapter 6: Working Classes

Chapter 7: High-Quality Routines

Chapter 8: Defensive Programming

Chapter 9: The Pseudocode Programming Process

Part III: Variables

Chapter 10: General Issues in Using Variables

Chapter 11: The Power of Variable Names

Chapter 12: Fundamental Data Types

Chapter 13: Unusual Data Types

Part IV: Statements

Chapter 14: Organizing Straight-line Code

Chapter 15: Using Conditionals

Chapter 16: Controlling l oops

Chapter 17: Unusual Control Structures

Chapter 18: Table- Driven Methods

Chapter 19: General Control Issues

Part V: Code Improvements

Chapter 20:The Software-Quality Landscape

Chapter 21 : Collaborative Construction

Chapter 22: Developer Testing

Chapter 23: Debugging

Chapter 24:Refactoring

Chapter 25: Code-Tuning Strategies

Chapter 26: Code-Tuning Techniques

Part VI: System Considerations

Chapter 27: How Program Size Affects Construction

Chapter 28: Managing Construction

Chapter 29: Integration

Chapter 30: Programming Tools

Part VII: Software Craftsmanship

Chapter 31 : Layout and Style

Chapter 32: Self-Documenting Code

Chapter 33: Personal Character

Chapter 34: Themes in Software Craftsmanship

Chapter 35: Where to Find More Information

My primary concern in writing this book has been to narrow the gap between the knowledge of industry gurus and professors on the one hand and common commercial practice on the other. Many powerful programming techniques hide in journals and academic papers for years before trickling down to the programming public.

Although leading-edge software-development practice has advanced rapidly in recent years, common practice hasn't. Many programs are still buggy, late, and over budget, and many fail to satisfy the needs of their users. Because these practices aren't often reported outside the pages of highly specialized technical journals, however, most programming organizations aren't yet using them today. This handbook shortcuts the process, making key discoveries available to the average programmer now.

- Steve McConnell

About the Author

Steve McConnell is an award-winning, best selling CEO and author. His newest book is "More Effective Agile: A Roadmap for Software Leaders." His first book, "Code Complete", has been recognized as the best-selling, best-reviewed software development book of all time. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than one million copies worldwide.

Steve is passionate about increasing software organizational performance by improving the skills of individuals and teams. Steve is founder and CEO at Construx Software, which provides training, consulting, coaching and free resources focused on more effective software development practices. Check it out at construx.com.

Steve's newest book, More Effective Agile, was published in August 2019. Check out resources related to Steve's new book at moreeffectiveagile.com.