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P.J. Plauger
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Brian W. Kernighan
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Elements of Programming Style Hardcover – January 1, 1974

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 48 ratings
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Elements of programming.
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  1. Print length
    147 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    McGraw-Hill
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1974
  5. ISBN-10
    0070341990
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0070341999
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ McGraw-Hill (January 1, 1974)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 147 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0070341990
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0070341999
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.2 ounces
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 48 ratings

About the authors

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  1. P.J. Plauger

    P.J. Plauger

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  2. Brian W. Kernighan

    Brian W. Kernighan

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  3. P. J. Plauger

    P. J. Plauger

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    P.J. Plauger:

    -- began computer programming in 1963 and has largely

    earned a living writing and licensing software ever

    since.

    -- earned an AB in Physics (Princeton) in 1965,

    then a PhD in Nuclear Physics (Michigan State) in 1969,

    and hasn't done a lick of physic since.

    -- began writing textbooks and numerous magazine articles

    on computer programming in 1973.

    -- began writing science fiction in 1973 and, despite

    early acclaim, hasn't found nearly enough time to

    write it since.

    -- moved to Concord, Massachusetts in 1980 and still

    lives there with his wife Tana and sister Margaret.

    -- is a member of the American Physical Society, a Life Member of IEEE,

    and a Lifetime Active member of SFWA.

    -- can be reached at books@plauger.com or www.facebook.com/plaugerbooks.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
48 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Patrick S Malloy
5.0 out of 5 stars Another solid work by Kernighan
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2015
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This rounds out a collection of works by Kernighan. Each book of his covers a different aspect of software, in clear form with logical concepts. This book covers the look and feel of the code itself. As with the other works, some concepts have evolved as languages have evolved and the normal size of software projects has continued to expand. But the book still has many relevant points and is an interesting read for those wanting to delve into how software development as a process has been growing and evolving over time.
2 people found this helpful
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jL Chavez
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2019
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Although I do not know Fortran language, the book is still Amazing and filled with gems. Would buy again
One person found this helpful
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S. Aldrich
4.0 out of 5 stars Useful
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2015
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Out of date, but still valid.
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Andrew Staats
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for programmers.
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2011
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A must read for programmers interested in making their code more accessible to others. Examples and tips are not language specific and easily applied to your project.

This is one of those books I reach for when others ask what they can do to improve their craft.
2 people found this helpful
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mb
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic text
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2013
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I loved this when I was required to read it, and I've loved it every since. It if was in print or available on Kindle, I'd probably require my students to read it, too.
4 people found this helpful
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DG
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2016
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All programmers should read it, and own a copy.
Examples are in Fortran, but they apply to any language.
2 people found this helpful
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TODDCS
3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, but of limited value because of the programming language
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2022
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This book, published in 1974 and 1978 has a lot of really fine things to say.

But all the code examples are in FORTRAN or other relatively uncommon (today, if not then) programming language. This greatly limit's the book's usefulness for today's software developers, including this writer himself.
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alkmaar
4.0 out of 5 stars Many rules still apply
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2006
I dare say many rules Mr. Kernighan preached almost three decades ago are still NOT followed by the programming community at large. For examples, "Modularize. Use subroutines." "Each module should do one thing well." and "Don't patch bad code--rewrite it." A widespread, bad practice of 90% of the programmers today is still writing functions that are way too long! And they very often keep modifying existing functions--inserting new logic into them--to make already bad code even worse; they seldom give it a second thought about rewriting the whole damn crap!

Another set of rules from the book: "Make sure code and comments agree." and "Don't over-comment." Many programmers seldom do the first thing, resulting in widespread mismatches between the actual codes and surrounding comments. This applies to Java code as well. The comment style recommended by Java--that is, mixing code and comments that can be extracted into so-called self documentation--is an outright violation of the "don't over-comment" rule. (This is intended to be a criticism of Java-style comments.) Good code should document itself clearly; with perhaps a little help from judiciously added few comments that are not self-evident from the code itself.

The book uses FORTRAN and PL/I code examples. There are things that no longer apply today. But the fundamental rules and styles are still well applicable today and in the future.
10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Andre
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2016
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as advertised
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leroy
5.0 out of 5 stars Très bien
Reviewed in France on November 16, 2014
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Très bien. Très content.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bien livré.Très bien. Très content.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bien livré.
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Niels Müller Larsen
5.0 out of 5 stars Now I Own It
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2014
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Excellent service! Highly recommended.
I have been looking for this book for a long time. It has academic value even now 36 years after publication.
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