A book, which to buy?

[wyrd]

After cleaning up my desk and counting all of the change on it, I discovered that it calculated to about $40. With this I plan on buying yet another book, unfortunately I cant decide which one. Here are the two books in which Im debating on;

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0201633612/103-7781093-4373435?v=glance&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...=glance&coliid=IQJGBM6EYT9PD&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER

If it helps at all, I already have one book on Transact SQL which happens to be Ken Hendersons The Gurus Guide to Transact-SQL. I do not however have any books on Design Patterns.

Suggestions?

 

[dsgreen57]

As I remember you are programming stuff for fun during your vacation. I would go for the Design Patterns Book, because there is only so much SQL Server stuff you can learn without being in a business environment.

Juding from previous posts and the fact you have a book on Transact SQL you know the basics. Design Patterns are something, which are easy to put into use now, and sounds more fun developing frameworks for common business problems.

Certainly an area I am thinking of focusing on next...

 

[wyrd]

As I remember you are programming stuff for fun during your vacation.

Some for fun, some for learning. The primary goal is to to do both equally.

because there is only so much SQL Server stuff you can learn without being in a business environment.

Isnt this true for just about everything? Can you please clarify?

Juding from previous posts and the fact you have a book on Transact SQL you know the basics.

Well, yes, but Id like to go far beyond the basics. Hence the name of the book. The one I already have by the same author (Ken Henderson) is most excellent, I recommend it to anyone whos looking to fine tune their Transact SQL skills and learn some neat tips and tricks. Make no mistake about the "Gurus Guide" in the book title.

Design Patterns are something, which are easy to put into use now, and sounds more fun developing frameworks for common business problems.

Id probably find both equally fun. Writing classes that are abstract enough to reuse in multiple programs intrigues me, as well as learning to actually program in Transact SQL which goes far beyond queries (yes, I consider Transact SQL a programming language)

So you can see Im pretty split between the two.

 

[wyrd]

Wow, only one response so far? Are my choices so equally good that no one can offer up any suggestions, except one brave soul?

 

[dsgreen57]

because there is only so much SQL Server stuff you can learn without being in a business environment.

Some stuff just isnt possible with limited resources, some stuff just doesnt seem to make sense why you would need to bother, well thats what I found anyway.

Take database tuning for example now Im no SQL expert, but have mucked about with tuning databases on my home system, but in a business environment there are many factors, which I hadnt come across when tuning a database and it turned out to be a much more complex activity than I first thought requiring much of our DBAs time.

Not to say you cant learn it... Design Patterns strike me as something, which would be very beneficial. You will be amazed in business environments how much work is redone on each project because you never have the time to design a decent base framework, I have attempted it numerous times but with work loads you never get around to introducing it.

But it is something which you can muck around with limited resources, and produce some good design patterns to solve common problems.

For example: -
1. navigational elements on forms and only allowing access to users of appropriate security level.
2. database search forms, development of a generic search pattern to allow searching of multiple criteria.
3. base design for all systems allowing creation, deletion and ammendment of data and undoing of actions (see Rockford Lhotkas Component Scalelable Logical Architecture)

But your right both are interesting subjects, was just being biased my favorite is design patterns, more fun.

 

[Robby]

Okaaaay twist my arm, you want opinion? Get the Design Patterns book.

 

[jfackler]

Im going on vacation again. Not a Carribean island this time. Just a lake in Tennessee, but Im going to need another book that will cause others concern for my mental well being. I dont own the Design Patterns book so Im going to pick it up for the trip. Ill compare notes with you in a week or two Wyrd. Go to public places while you read, carry it with you in the mall, to the movie theater, out to dinner, on dates....see what a great conversation starter it is (or not).

Jon

 

[wyrd]

jfackler: Eh?
Robby: *blink*

dsgreen57: Every bone in my body is screaming "get the SQL book!" Of course Im being biased as well as its my current love interest in programming ATM. I keep telling myself that I need to wake up to reality and learn more in a more broad manner until I get a job, because who knows what langauge(s) Ill be programming in when I do get one.

John Dewey was right, humans are an emotional animal.

 

[dsgreen57]

lol, dont let me stop you getting the SQL one

 

[wyrd]

Sadly enough Ill probably break down and buy both, even though I shouldnt because I dont have the $$ for two books and theres an Xbox game coming out next month that I may buy.

Decisions.. decisions.

 

[wyrd]

Okay, decisions were made. I decided that despite my emotions Im going to buy books that will help me become a better programmer in general, rather then limiting myself to one aspect of programming. I must try and widen my knowledge until I get a job, as its impossible to predict what sort of programming job Ill end up getting in the future (I still have 2 years of school left, at least). I also felt that I should work on reusable and quality code rather then trying to master a language. After all, mastering a language is just a matter of time, but creating reusable and quality code (hence quality software) takes practice and dedication.. right? Probably not, but thats how Im justifying my purchase and Im sticking to it!

Oh.. and aside from Design Patterns, I decided to buy Code Complete. For only 25 bucks and the rave reviews on Amazon.com, how can I go wrong? Anything to improve my coding techniques is worth the $$ Id say, because I can tell you after the mess Ive been through with my current program, I could use the advice. Its such a mess that Im not even sure if Ill post it here on the forums when its done. *beats self with stick*

Okay enough rambling.. heres the link for the Code Complete book if anyone cares;

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...5543287/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-7781093-4373435

 

[mutant]

Wow, that book is old
I think you made a good decision. It looks like it has a lot of useful info.

I myself had a book day today , im tired of going through those tutorials that come with the DX SDK . And this looks like a pretty good introdution to D3D.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0672324989/

 

[Robby]

The greatest thing Ive done for my reading is take the train to go to work, 30 minutes each way. In four months I read three books between 1200 and 1500 pages each. By the end of the year Ill have read every Wrox book.