Read Up on Programming

I recently picked up Dreaming in Code, a pretty interesting book that follows the development of a software application over the course of 3 years. It focuses on why software is difficult to scope, build and deliver on time. Pretty neat to read as an avid programmer, I found myself thinking “I did that, but I thought it was just because I’m dumb.” However, I feel slightly better considering the fact that most of the developers followed here are icons in their respective niches.

I think about programming quite a bit and I have always felt that it would be really strange/awkard to manage the development of an application. Software seems sporadic and free-flowing while management…does not. Well, apparently I didn’t know the half of it. There’s lots in here about the mindset of developers, the open source software movement and “changing the world” with software. If you’re at all into technology, give it a browse the next time you’re in the bookstore.

PS – Is it sad that I take sick pleasure in the fact that this “difficult” project was implemented in Python?