30 Best Programming Books for Beginners (2021 Update)

Matthew MartinByMatthew Martin Hours Updated

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Computer Programming is a step-by-step process of designing and developing various computer programs to accomplish a specific computing outcome. The process comprises several tasks like analysis, coding, algorithm generation, etc. Some most common programming languages are Python, Java, JavaScript, Swift, C++, C#, PHP, SQL, GO, etc.

Here is a curated list of Top Programming Books that should be part of any beginner to advanced Pragmatic Programmer’s library.

Here is a list of categories of Books:

Writing Good Code with Coding Books

1) Working Effectively with Legacy Code

Working Effectively with Legacy Code is a programming book written by Michael C. Feathers. It is one of the best books to learn programming that teaches how legacy code problems without going through the expensive task of rewriting all existing code.

It describes a series of practical methods that developers can employ in their existing software applications. The example are provided in C++, Java, C++, and C- sharp language. Strategies using UML and code in C++ and Java primarily while independent language advice will be delivered inside bars for learners who understand language-specific syntax.

2) The Clean Coder: A Code of Conduct for Professional Programmers

The Clean Coder: Robert C. Martin writes a Code of Conduct for Professional Programmers. This reference book offers practical advice about everything, from estimating and coding to refactoring and testing.

The author also explains how to approach software development with honor, self-respect, and pride. It helps you to communicate and estimate difficult decisions with clarity and honesty.

3) Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction

CODE COMPLETE is a book written by Steve McConnell. This classic book offers a wide range of new code samples to illustrate software development’s art and science.

The author also synthesizes the most effective techniques and must-know principles into clear, pragmatic guidance. This book helps you to stimulate your think and help you build the highest quality code.

This is a best book on programming also allow you to resolve critical construction issues early, correctly, and effectively debug problems.

4) The Pragmatic Programmer

The Pragmatic Programmer is a book written by David Thomas (Author), Andrew Hun. The book helps clients to create better software and rediscover the joy of coding. This book’s lesson helped a generation of software developers examine the very essence of software development, independent of any specific language, framework, or methodology, and the Pragmatic philosophy.

This is one of the best book to learn coding for software engineers. As it illustrates the great approaches and major pitfalls of many aspects of software development.

5) Soft Skills: The Software Developer’s Life Manual

Soft Skills: The Software Developer’s Life is a reference book written by Manual John. It is a guide to a well-rounded, satisfying life as a software development professional. For that, developer and life author advise software engineers on important subjects like career and productivity, personal finance and investing, and fitness and relationships.

It has been arranged as a collection of 71 short chapters. This book helps you to make a better programmer and enhance your software engineering skill.

Software Design:

6) Domain-Driven Design: Tackling Complexity in the Heart of Software

Domain-Driven Design is a programming book written by Evans Eric. This book talks about the systematic approach to domain-driven design. It offers some design best practices and fundamental principles that facilitate software projects facing complex domains. This programming book also includes numerous examples based on actual projects to illustrate the application of domain-driven design to us by real-world software developers.

By reading this one of the best programming book, system analysts, object-oriented developers, and designers, software engineers can refer/organize/focus their work.

7) Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software

Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software is a book written by Richard Helm, Erich Gamma Ralph Johnson, John Vlissides, and Grady Booch.

The authors of this book begin by illustrating what patterns are and how they can help you design object-oriented software. Each pattern covers in this best software engineering book describes the circumstances in which it is applicable. All patterns are compiled from real systems, which are based on real-world examples.

8) Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code

Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code is a book written by Martin Fowler. This book improves your legacy code’s design to enhance software maintainability and make current code easier to understand.

The book includes JavaScript code examples, as well as functional examples that demonstrate refactoring without classes. In this book, you will understand the general principles of refactoring. The book also gives you knowledge about making a program easier to comprehend and change. You will also learn how to build solid tests for your refactoring.

9) Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture

Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture is a programming book written by Martin Fowler. In this new book, the author discusses enterprise application development.

He helps professionals understand the complex but critical aspects of architecture, which is an important aspect of all application development and specifically essential for an enterprise project’s success.

This one of the best software engineering book presents patterns, enterprise architecture, and the author’s context allows the reader to make the correct choices when facing with a difficult design decision in their project.

10)Enterprise Integration Patterns

Enterprise Integration Patterns is a book written by Gregor Hohpe and Bobby Woolf. It is one of the best books on programming which offers an invaluable catalog of various pattern suggestions with real-world solutions that help you design effective messaging solutions for your enterprise.

The authors also include examples covering multiple technologies, like JMS, MSMQ, Microsoft BizTalk, SOAP, and XSL.

This software engineering book provides a consistent vocabulary and visual notation framework. It explains large-scale integration solutions across many technologies. The book also explores in detail the advantages and limitations of asynchronous messaging architectures.

11) Headfirst Design Patterns: A Brain-Friendly Guide

Headfirst Design Patterns, now updated for Java 8, shows you the tried-and-true, tested software development team patterns to create functional, reusable, and flexible software.

After reading this best computer programming book, you will benefit from the best design practices and experiences of those who have designed various types of software. This book offers a visually rich format. The book uses the latest research in cognitive science and learning theory to provide a multi-sensory learning experience.

Agile, DevOps, AI:

12) Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship

Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship is a book written by Robert. C. Martin. The writer brings Agile principles from a practitioner’s point of view of thousands of programmers.

This best software development book is divided into three parts. The first part talks about the principles, patterns, and practices of writing clean code. The second part covers various case studies of increasing Complexity. The third part includes a single chapter containing a list of heuristics and “smells” gathered while creating the case studies.

13) User Stories Applied: For Agile Software Development

User Stories Applied: For Agile Software Development is a book written by Mike Cohn. The book represents an effective means of gathering requirements from the customer. It also describes user stories and demonstrates how they can properly plan, manage, and test software development jobs.

It is one of the best books for programmers which highlights both successful and unsuccessful implementations of the concept and provides sets of questions and exercises. After reading this best book to learn coding, you will be able to know what are the effective means for developing software applications.

14) The DevOps Handbook

The DevOps Handbook is a book written by Gene Kim, Jez Humble (Author), Patrick Debois (Author), John Willis (Author), John Allspaw (Foreword). The effective management of technology is vital for business competitiveness.

This type of technology leader has struggled to balance reliability, agility, and security. The DevOps Handbook shows leaders how you can see these incredible outcomes by showing how to integrate Product Management, QA, IT Operations, and Information Security to elevate your company and win in the marketplace.

15) Artificial Intelligence For Dummies

Artificial Intelligence is a book written by John Paul Mueller and Luca Massaron. It is one of the best coding books for beginners which provides a clear introduction to AI and how it is being used today.

In this best programming book, you will get a complete overview of the technology. The book also talks about the common misconceptions surrounding it. This reference book explores the use of AI in computer applications, the scope, and the history of AI.

16) Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach

This book offers a basic conceptual theory of artificial intelligence. It acts as complete reference material for beginners. It helps students in undergraduate or graduate-level courses in Artificial Intelligence.

This is one of the best programming book which gives you detailed information about the changes that have taken place in the field of artificial intelligence. There are many important applications of AI technology like deployment of practical speech recognition, machine translation, household robotic that are explained in detail.

Programming language:

17) Eloquent JavaScript: A Modern Introduction to Programming

Eloquent JavaScript was written by Marijn Haverbekedives. It is one of the best programming books for beginners that teaches how to write beautiful, effective code.

You start by learning the basic structure of the JavaScript language as well as control structures, functions, and data structures. After that, you’ll learn about error handling and bug fixing, modularity, and asynchronous programming, and lastly, you will learn how JavaScript is used to program them.

This is one of the best programming book that covers topics like understanding the essential elements of programming, which includes syntax, control, and data, basic web applications, use the DOM effectively, etc.

18) Learning PHP, MySQL & JavaScript: With jQuery, CSS & HTML5

Learning PHP, MySQL & JavaScript: With jQuery, CSS & HTML5 is a book written by Robin Nixon. This all in one programming language book helps you to build interactive, data-driven websites. In this book, you will also study dynamic web programming with the latest versions, PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, CSS, HTML5, and key jQuery libraries.

At the end of this best programming book, you will be able to learn how to build a social networking site that is suitable for desktop and mobile browsers.

19) C++ Primer

C++ Primer is a book written by Stanley B, introduces the C++ standard library from the outset. It helps you to write useful programs without the need to master every aspect of the C++ language. The books cover many examples, and it also demonstrates how to make the best use of them.

This is one of the best coding book which is ideal for a new developer who wants to know core C++ concepts and techniques. The book helps you to learn through examples that illuminate today’s best coding styles and program design techniques.

20) C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide

C Programming Absolute Beginner’s Guide is a book written by Greg Perry and Dean Miller. This book teaches some basic concepts of C language with clear and easy steps. The book explains the method to organize programs and work with variables, operators, I/O, pointers, functions, etc.

This is the best book to learn code as it gave simple instructions that help you to create useful, reliable C code, from games to mobile apps.

21) R for Data Science: Import, Tidy, Transform, Visualize, and Model Data

R for Data Science is a book written by Hadley Wickham (Author), Garrett Grolemund. The book guides you through the steps of importing, exploring, and modeling your data.

This one of the best book for programmer that also provides a complete, big-picture understanding of the data science cycle. You will also learn the basic tools you need to manage the details of R implementation. Each section included in this book is paired with exercises to help you practice what you’ve learned along the way.

22)C# 8.0 and .NET Core 3.0

In C# 8.0 and .NET, Core 3.0 is a book written by Mark J. Price. The book offers everything you need to start programming C# applications. This is one of the best book on programming which is fully updated and expanded with new chapters on Content Management Systems (CMS) and machine learning with ML.NET.

Part 1 of the book teaches the fundamentals of C#, including object-oriented programming, part 2 covers the .NET Standard APIs. Part 3 provides many examples of cross-platform applications you can build and deploy. These web apps using ASP.NET Core or mobile apps using Xamarin.Forms.

23)Head First Java

If you only buy one Java book, then this is it. Affectionately referred to by readers as Java Programming “bible.” It is the BEST SELLING JAVA book of all time. Head-First Java is one of the best book for learning programming that provides access to information every Java Programmer must know. Most Java books written nowadays are targeted for advanced developers, but Head First Java has taken into consideration problems faced by Java beginners. It is never before the approach to Java Training, and the books use Vintage Pictures, puzzles, code exercises, brain teasers, etc. for effective learning. You will find the book well structured, informative, and intuitive to navigate through.

24) Python Crash Course

Python Crash Course teaches you basics python fundamental. The book is divided into two parts. In the first half of this book, you’ll introduce to the fundamental of python programming. Like lists, dictionaries, classes, and loops, and practice.

In the second half, you will assign three projects: arcade game, Space Invaders, data visualizations. This is one of the best programming books which ends by providing some basic information about how to develop simple web apps.

25) Linux Pocket Guide: Essential Commands

Linux Pocket Guide is a book written by Jason Cannon. It provides an organized learning path. It also helps you to gain mastery of the most useful and important commands. This is an ideal reference book for both novice or who wants to get up to speed on Linux or experienced users.

This best programming book features new commands for processing image files and audio files, reading and modifying the system clipboard, and manipulating PDF files.

Miscellaneous

26) Excel 2019 Bible

Excel 2019 Bible is a book written by Michael Alexander Richard Kusleika John Walkenbach. This book is the most comprehensive, go-to guide for all your Excel 2019 needs. You will also learn to incorporate templates, implement formulas, create pivot tables, analyze data, and much more.

The textbook also covers topics like creating a function, spreadsheet, master formulas, formatting, pivot tables, and more.

27) Introduction to Algorithms

Introduction to Algorithms book includes a wide range of algorithms in depth. Every chapter of this book is relatively self-contained and can be used as study material. The algorithms are described in this book in English and pseudocode.

This is one of the best programming book which offers the treatment of dynamic programming and greedy algorithms and a new notion of edge-based flow. The learning material also provides many exercises, problems, and solutions.

28) Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams

Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams is a book written by Tom DeMarco. The book discusses the pathologies of leadership that had not previously been judged to be pathological. Anyone who wants to manage a software project or software organization will find invaluable advice throughout the book.

It is an ideal reference book for everyone who runs a software team like a team leader or project manager. So, this book that everyone who runs a software team needs to read and reread once a year.

29) Working in Public: The Making and Maintenance of Open Source Software

Working in Public is a software developer reference book written by Nadia Eghbal. It takes an inside look at modern open-source software development. Eghbal also analyzes the role of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram that helps you to reduce infrastructure and distribution costs for creators.

Similarly, suppose creators, instead of discrete communities, are going to become the epicenter of our online social systems. In that case, we should learn how they work, and we can do so by studying what happened to open source.