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Professional Software Development: Shorter Schedules, Higher Quality Products, More Successful Projects, Enhanced Careers 1st Edition

by Steve McConnell (Author)
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 23 ratings
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Renowned software expert Steve McConnell helps software students transition to the role of software professionals. Significant developments are afoot that will impact the future careers of student programmers, including initiatives in education, professional development, certification, and licensing. Some of these developments are well thought out and positive; others are being forced and need to be improved before they are standardized. Software development is changing, whether programmers recognize it or not. Programmers who are not paying attention could easily find themselves working as twenty-first century software janitors. This book describes the occupation of computer programming as it exists today and the profession of software engineering as it can exist in the future.

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  1. ISBN-10
    0321193679
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0321193674
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    Addison-Wesley Professional
  5. Publication date
    June 30, 2003
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    7.15 x 0.65 x 9.05 inches
  8. Print length
    272 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Can you deliver 90% of your software on time, within budget, and fully meet the user's real requirements? Would you like to? Best-selling author Steve McConnell provides a compelling argument for turning software success into an everyday habit by advancing the software profession itself―at the individual, organizational, and industry levels. Expanding on the contents of his previous book After the Gold Rush, the author dispels common myths of software development.

If you are a programmer, software developer, engineer, or work in software development, you should READ THIS BOOK.

Why do so many companies use outdated and ineffective software development practices? See page 103

What is "cargo cult" software development, and who uses it? See page 23

How large is the return on investment for better software practices? Can you prove it? See page 115

How do you create career paths for software professionals? See page 143

Which affects projects more--good personnel or good process? See page 135

How much difference is there between the worst software companies and the best? See page xv



0321193679B06052003

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Addison-Wesley Professional; 1st edition (June 30, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0321193679
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0321193674
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.17 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.15 x 0.65 x 9.05 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 23 ratings

About the author

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Steve McConnell

Steve McConnell

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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.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
23 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Mr Nick Zdunic
5.0 out of 5 stars For those striving for quality and meaning in software
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2003
Verified Purchase
Already owning Code Complete and Rapid Development and finding these two to be excellent practical insights into software development I was excited to get this book into my hands and managed to read it in a day.
I wasn't disappointed. In many ways it echoes my feelings on the lack of quality in software development. The code and fix paradigm is endemic in practically all organisations I have worked with and the most don't even recognise that it is a problem - it's just the nature of software. I always counter this, in a constructive way) and I think what Steve presents here provides more good arguments for improving the process of software development.
I entirely agree with Steve's arguments regarding the Business case for software quality - it does pay off to plan before construction. Code Reviews don't waste time they save time in the long run. Certainly I see a similar line amongst several key writers like Martin Fowler (Refactoring), Kent Beck (Test Driven Development). The focus on architectural requirements shows this trait as well.
The progression to a code of ethics (for example IEEE's Code of Ethics and Professionalism) and licensing will help weed out the dodgy operators in out field that have given it a bad name in the last few years. Organisations and individuals subscribing to this will provide the public the confidence it sees in the Medical and Engineering professions, which earlier in their development had the same problems of software engineering.
The SEI CMM enables organisations to assess where they stand in terms of quality and how they can improve to reach greater levels of quality. I agree that we shouldn't get too caught up in the bureaucracy of methods and standards but they provide a guide to improvement. After all the true product of software development is working software.
This book is a good resource to help in achieving improvements in software development.
4 people found this helpful
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Joao Cortez
2.0 out of 5 stars Not Quite What I Was Expecting
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2007
Verified Purchase
The main focus of this book in on the creation of a professional software development association or organization, similar to the ones of doctors and arquitects. The discussion is interesting, but not very useful if you have to deal with the problems and challenges of the day-to-day life in software development.
6 people found this helpful
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M. Young
4.0 out of 5 stars It succeeds as a "vision" book
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2004
It is clear the author cares very deeply about his profession. He is searching for a way to increase software development professionalism. I did not view this book as a how to cook book. I viewed it as a vision book that offers suggestions on what needs to happen for future software development. Viewed in that light the book succeeds well. Unfortunately some of his analogies to other professions show lack of understanding for those professions, but otherwise the book is good food for thought.

If you are looking for a more concrete books on how to develop software now, he has a good reading list in his book Code Complete, second edition chapter 35. Also check his web site: [...]
8 people found this helpful
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L. Gonzales Mariscal
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference book
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2007
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This is an excellent book for people that want straight facts about the software engineering profession and industry. It is also an excellent source for a plan to understand how to acquire knowledge in search of a better career as a software engineer.

For a long time I tried to find what was the real difference between computer scientists and software engineers because the general knowledge knowadays is that both professions are the same. This book finally gives a clear and straight explanation of the real difference between both.

Another thing I liked a lot about this book is that it explains the false idea that knowledge in software engineering becomes obsolete too quickly to be useful or to form a body of knowledge.

For all people working in the software industry this is a must-read book to really understand where they should be heading and why.
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Gary J. Hardy
5.0 out of 5 stars In the world of vastly overblown "agile development"...
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2014
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Steve McConnell discusses the fabric of what software engineering is and could/should be without all the latest buzz words. Professional Software Development is timeless. Must read if you fancy yourself as a software engineering professional.
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Marc Magrans De Abril
1.0 out of 5 stars It does not seem a McConnell book
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2012
I totally agree with the 1-3 star reviews. I have read Code Complete and Software Estimation, and this book does not have the same level.

Although the book does not deserve a 1 star, I also think that the average rating is too high.
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Lars Bergstrom
2.0 out of 5 stars Heavy on opinion, light on content
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2003
The assessment of engineering, especially around how many people will be certified, leave nothing to argue with, though they're so forward-looking as to be somewhat irrelevant to a developer today. More interesting are his statements about running projects and professional development -- his company has the most compelling reward structure I've ever seen, and far outshadow's MSFT's baroque system.
Unfortunately, the lack of *any* mention of Agile methodologies made this book look like either the author has been in Tahiti for the last few years or is trying to subtly discount them. Either way, you read it and say, "yes, this is exactly what Lean addresses; so what's your point?". It was also a little short on concrete recommendations, and comes off more as a position statement on where he'd like software development to be N years from now.
I'm glad that I read it because I generally like McConnell's writing and like to hear different opinions on certification of software developers, but I can't say that I'd suggest anyone else bother.
24 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Knut Behrends
4.0 out of 5 stars very good; but Author should discuss system engineering, too
Reviewed in Germany on December 19, 2003
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was kind of a page turner which is rare with computer books.
You might get little direct advice on how to program or develop software in a team, but you'll learn a lot about development as a professional.
Reading this will enable you to better assess your skill level as a programmer, and -if you are a professional programmer- your organization's maturity.
It discusses the state of the software development business and makes some predictions about the development of the field as a whole.
It also contains a comprehensive literature review. This gives the book a bit of an academic flavor, advantageously adding credibility.
The book is really insightful, but in looking back I thought that the author completely missed to mention the field of "systems engineering" which is a few decades older than "software engineering". Many development practices discussed in this book might have had their precursors in systems engineering.
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