Thinking of learning to program? Maybe you’ve seen a movie that piqued your interest. Or maybe you’ve inevitably realized that programming fundamentals are extremely useful in almost any occupation, be it technology or otherwise. Through an Internet search, you will find a wealth of information and resources that promise you proficient programming skills. Personally, I prefer to read printed books to get my information. Here are some things to keep in mind when searching for good programming books.
- Author experience: Does the author of the book have enough experience in the programming languages you want to explore? There is no use reading a programming book from a C+ guru if you want to learn Java. Sure, some of the basics are the same, but ideally, you want an author who can relate to the language you want to learn.
- Book in one language: this advice goes hand in hand with the previous one. You want a good programming book that focuses on one language. Take a look at the book’s table of contents to make sure it matches what you want to learn.
- Post Date: While many of the basics of programming remain the same, technology has definitely evolved. Ideally, the programming book you find will have been published within the last two years. If you choose an older edition, be sure to keep in mind that much of the programming has changed in recent years.
- Price: One of the main concerns with any purchase, and buying a programming book is no different. The fact is, there are tons of free resources on the internet that can teach you the basics, and while I love hardcovers, I’m not paying an unreasonable price for any book. You might be better off trying a used book store or looking on Amazon for a discounted price.
- Beginner-friendly: Pick up a book that is actually meant for beginners. It will usually tell you, right on the front page, if it is. As much as everyone wants to be the next Mark Zuckerberg, some of us aren’t at that level yet. Take baby steps and I’m sure you’ll be programming masterpieces in no time.
If you keep these things in mind, you’ll be ready and on your way to mastering programming. You might also want to check out some good book reviews to see if people really learned from the books you’re thinking of buying.
