Deal With It
Last updated on 2013-09-02
About the Book
Deal With It. That's a strong phrase, right?
One interpretation is; “here’s how it is, you have to put up with it”. It can be a bratty, unilateral, condescending, dismissive statement.
Another interpretation is; “let’s cope with things how they are, but work hard to change them for the better”. An encompassing, generous, creative statement.
This book is about choosing which of these two statements you want to embrace as a software professional.
It's about choosing how you, as a software developer, deal with our industry and your day-to-day work.
What are people saying about Deal With It?
"Nice short book of advice for developers (or wanting to know dev mindsets!). Attitude & approach rather than tech." - John Greenaway
"Started reading #attitudeforcoders, planning to skim. Ended up devouring it all in one go. *Excellent* stuff" - Owen Phelps
"Loved @gavD_UK's book for coders - insight, advice, and lots of humour from one of the best developers I've worked with" - Craig Marvelley
Also available in "dead tree" format from lulu.com.
Table of Contents
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- Dedication
- Introduction
- What’s all this about?
- Who is this guy?
-
Part 1: Overall attitude
- Attitude over Aptitude?
- Be courageous in ignorance
- Be professional
- Be resourceful
- Don’t try to prove how smart you are
- Don’t worry about being the brightest
- Open Source your knowledge
- Seek to build community
- Take the initiative
- Don’t be precious!
- Do it scared if you have to
-
Part 2: Tools, learning and technique
- Have respect for books
- Always pressure test
- Think testing
- Automate like your name was Dan
- Performance matters
- Measure, don’t guess
- Get your tools right
- Build a solid technical foundation
- Be deployment minded
- Choose your libraries carefully
- No source is set in stone
- Learn to spot antipatterns
- Don’t be tied to a single technology
-
Part 3: Wisdom for the long haul
- Have achievable goals
- Accept that failure happens
- Treat people as people
- Take care of yourself
- Beware burnout
- Dealing with burnout
- One thing at a time
-
Part 4: Communication is key
- Documentation is communication!
- No unnecessary docs
- Keep emails short
- “Just” is the worst word
- Social problems can’t be solved with tech
- Dealing with suits
- Beware meetingitis
-
Part 5: Some closing advice
- Never stop learning
- Keep it in perspective
- Who do you think you are telling me all this?!
- Signing off
- Acknowledgements
About the Author
Cardiff-based cross-discipline software developer. Co-organiser of Unified Diff, a monthly tech meetup, and cardiffdevworkshop.com. Writing down the things I wish I'd known all along!
My blog is gavd.co.uk
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