I'm really tired of the typical coding books that start with basic syntax and eventually push you to build a straightforward web server. I'm not interested in a bunch of code snippets or artificial problems. What I want are books that discuss the art and philosophy of programming in a more narrative way. Ideally, I'd love something that's not tied to any specific programming language but still dives deep into concepts, perhaps with some focus on functional programming. I'm looking for anecdotes, with minimal history unless it's crucial for understanding. Also, I prefer a book that doesn't get too mathematical. Does anyone know of any books that fit this description? Maybe something like *In Praise of Shadows* but tailored for software development.
1 Answer
You should check out *Why's (Poignant) Guide to Ruby*. It’s really unlike any other programming book you’ve seen—strange and surreal but fascinating! It reads like a mix of a story and a guide, so it might fit your desire for a narrative over dry syntax. Just a heads up though; it’s definitely offbeat in a good way!
That book is definitely a trip! I can't help but laugh at the examples. It feels almost like a performance art piece instead of a traditional guide!