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Book review: More Joel on Software

One of the cool things when you write on a technical blog is that you can do some assumptions. So if you're reading these lines, you must be working in the software industry, either as a programmer or as a manager, and probably don't have read "More Joel on Software". Knowing that, there's something I can tell you: You should really invest some free time to read this book, it's worth every minute.

If you wonder who Joel is, then you're faulting again because this mean that you're not reading his blog, and let me tell you, you should really invest some work time to read it. Joel Spolsky is an experienced programmer, manager and business runner, and above everything, a kind enough person to share his knowledge online. Days after days, his blog became one of the most read and relevant source of inspiration for software developers. So much, that the blog was finally compiled up to edit the first edition of "Joel on Software", and now the follow up, "More Joel on Software".

So this second book is made of nine sections that each address a concern of the software world:

• Managing People: If you ever had the opportunity to manage software developers, you know how hard it is. Joel goes through management and recruitment techniques, why they don't work and how you should proceed.
• Advice to Potential Programmers: Programming beginner / student ? Read these lines carefully, Joel is right on the whole line: Attend hard courses and get over them, this is mandatory.
• The Impact of Design: Sharp and relevant guidelines on several segments of software design, from style to features.
• Managing Large Projects: How Microsoft failed at managing big projects over time, why it's hard and how you should deal to still be happy at the end of the day
• Programming Advice: One of my favorite sections. Joel unveils his secret to achieve efficient software scheduling, the Evidence Based Scheduling method, how to make wrong code look wrong etc...
• Starting a Software Business: Two relevant and almost moving forewords written by Joel for two other books, telling you why and how you should start a software company, what you should focus on. If you have this little entrepreneur seed inside of you, you'll love each line of this section.
• Running a Software Business: This is the hard part of the book. Joel describes how they designed their offices to be the best place possible for software developers, making you feel like you're working in a rat cave, even if you work in front of one of Paris' most beautiful place
• Releasing Software: Once again, invaluable advices on how to pick a release date and decide on your pricing method. Very accurate.
• Revising Software: My previous boss should have read that part. How NOT to refactor your code, efficiently solve outages and avoid them to append again with the five whys, and to end the book, a method to establish relevant priorities time-lines.

So yeah, this book rocks hard and is, to me, a must read. Each rant and each advice feels (and hopefully is) weighted by a strong experience, and given to you so you don't have to wait years to learn this on your very own. Finally the best thing about "More Joel on Software" is that it's written as a blog, in a lightweight, (VERY) funny and sincere way, not as an overworked speech.

Oh and no, I'm not sponsored and I won't get anything if you buy the book. If the book was a turd, I'd totally tell you too