Agile Software Development, Principles, Patterns, and Practices

by Robert C. Martin

Written by a software developer for software developers, this book is a unique collection of the latest software development methods. The author includes OOD, UML, Design Patterns, Agile and XP methods with a detailed description of a complete software design for reusable programs in C++ and Java. Using a practical, problem-solving approach, it shows how to develop an object-oriented application―from the early stages of analysis, through the low-level design and into the implementation. Walks readers through the designer's thoughts ― showing the errors, blind alleys, and creative insights that occur throughout the software design process. The book Statics and Dynamics; Principles of Class Design; Complexity Management; Principles of Package Design; Analysis and Design; Patterns and Paradigm Crossings. Explains the principles of OOD, one by one, and then demonstrates them with numerous examples, completely worked-through designs, and case studies. Covers traps, pitfalls, and work arounds in the application of C++ and OOD and then shows how Agile methods can be used. Discusses the methods for designing and developing big software in detail. Features a three-chapter, in-depth, single case study of a building security system. For Software Engineers, Programmers, and Analysts who want to understand how to design object oriented software with state of the art methods.

Genres: Programming, Technology, Software, Computer Science, Technical, Coding, Nonfiction

552 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2002

About the author

Robert Cecil Martin, commonly called Uncle Bob, is a software engineer, advocate of Agile development methods, and President of Object Mentor Inc. Martin and his team of software consultants use Object-Oriented Design, Patterns, UML, Agile Methodologies, and eXtreme Programming with worldwide clients.

He was Editor in Chief of the C++ Report from 1996 to 1999. He is a featured speaker at international conferences and trade shows.

Reviews

[Rod Hilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers a great deal of material: Martin talks about the basic practices of agile software development, the principles of good object-oriented design, and common OO design patterns.

This book is, in my opinion, a career-changer. Having a single book that teaches what it essentially means to move from being a programmer to a real software craftsman is invaluable. I'd recommend this for any experienced programmer who wants to transition to a more professional approach to writing high quality, maintainable code.

In this book, Martin avoids a problem that plagued Clean Code - most of the code examples here are short, making it less problematic that they lack any kind of formatting to aid readability. My main problem with the book was that I personally don't think C++ code ever "looks" good, so examples that illustrated how to clean C++ code weren't as impactful for me as the Java examples. I think I would have preferred the C-based code to be in C# instead.

Overall, this is an excellent book that really helped me grow into a software craftsman. Occasionally, some of the code examples drag on a bit long, and occasionally the examples look overengineered (a common problem when using code short enough to illustrate a single thing), but the book is so good otherwise that it's worth slogging through the occasional rough patches.

[Vitor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for developers willing to build maintainable, testable and scalable software. It teaches you the basics for agile "software development", TDD, SOLID principles, design patterns and much more. Also, you really need to try out the patterns and practices presented in this book so you can feel how it is to create a "Clean Architecture". On the other hand, the reader might need some programming experience before trying to understand all the reasons and solutions proposed in this book.

[Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book alternates between incredibly useful and frustratingly complex. Its explanations of the practical use of software design patterns as well as various principles of object-oriented design are so clear and pragmatic that I can safely say this book has shaped my programming practices. For that, I want to give it 5 stars. Then suddenly comes one of these monster case studies in which he describes in painful detail some programming problem in the most convoluted way possible, including UML diagrams that look like a jigsaw puzzle and pages of code that are both unnecessary and unhelpful. For that, I want to give it 1 star. I'm left with no choice but to settle for an average of 3 stars. My advice: Read the chapters about design patterns and object-oriented principles, and skip the mind-numbing case studies.

[Olha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read it for 1.5 years. 🙄 Just because I've overestimated its complexity.
The book actually consists of SOLID principles, bunch of GoF patterns with fancy modifications, and a chapter on packaging. There are a lot of case studies here.

The style is very good, while sometimes too verbose. I liked that some decisions are explained so many times that I've understood 😀.

So, having a paperback copy of a classic book is a good idea.

[Zahra Dashti · Rating 3 out of 5]

بلاخره تموم شد! یک انتخاب نادرست برای این زمان! یک کتاب سخت خوان و انگیزه کم کن، حداقل برای کسی مثل من که هنوز در ابتدای راه دیزاین هست. اصلا توصیه نمی کنم اگر هنوز به درک نسبتا خوبی از مفاهیم پایه نرسیدید این کتاب رو بخونید. چون به نظرم سخت نوشته شده و خسته و گیجتون می کنه. بعدها، شاید وقتی مفاهیم برام بیشتر جا افتاد، به عنوان یک کتاب که از تجارب واقعی نوشته شده، باز این کتاب رو بخونم.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great overview of patterns & workflows for writing code in an agile process. There isn't a lot of new information in the book, as most of it can be found in more detail elsewhere, but if you're looking for a consolidated overview or refresher, I highly recommend it. It's also great for the case studies, which are well-written examples of how to do some of this stuff in real-world scenarios.

[Ben Rand · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of this was really good. Some of it was just over my head. I may have to revisit this book sometime in the future when I'm smarter.

[Ricardo Cavalcanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely agree with Vitor's Review.

[Ihsan Nurul iman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first chapters of the book explain a little bit about Agile and its methodologies, practices, and background. The subsequences are all about reviews of refactoring, design patterns, testing, and related stuff. Also, there are some study cases at the end of each topic.

Even though this book is not a breakthrough--there isn't something new--but the depth of the reviews makes the book worth reading. You'll recall many topics like Refactoring, XP, TTD, etc etc. You'll learn it more deeply because the author gives different perspectives on how to use certain techniques.

What bothers me a lot about this book is the author's word selection. Bob is a Sesquipedalian: he likes using big words. Some selections cause the book to be unreadable.

Also, some explanations are just too shallow. Sometimes, the author likes to assume that the readers have an understanding of the prerequisites, so he didn't give so much time explaining it or explaining it in a vague way. This is frustrating. I had to skip two case studies because of their lack of explanations. I'd tried it hard, seriously, but I don't think I would ever understand with that level of unclarity.

[Johnwila johnsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Chaniotis — A Must-Read for Agile Development Enthusiasts 📖🔥 Ancientscale Life Time Book! "Agile Software Development: Principles, Patterns, and Practices" is a bit of a late find for myself, but it's a must-read for anyone still learning about Agile Development. book takes you through the transition from Waterfall to Agile and is perfect for both experienced developers and beginners. In my experience working on various Agile projects, having the right team in place is importance for delivering value. That's why I suggest hiring iPhone app developers
from Hire Mobile Developers to bring your project to life. With their specialization in Agile development, you can trust they know what they're doing.

Since the book covers principles, patterns, and practices, it's straightforward to apply these concepts to real-world projects. The authors back up their points with numerous examples and case studies, making it a practical guide for any developer.

[Yaroslav Kuntsevych · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must-Have Book for Agile Developers Ancientscale Life Time Book! "Agile Software Development: Principles, Patterns, and Practices" is something I came late on – but highly recommend it to anyone in the middle of their journey with Agile Development. book walks you through the Waterfall-Agile transition and is for both professional developers and neophytes. I have worked in several Agile projects and having a good team to deliver value is critical. It’s for this reason that I recommend you to get blockchain developers
from hire DeFi and smart contract developers to build your project. They are experts in Agile development, so you know what they are doing.

Because the book is a principles, patterns, practices book, these are easy to integrate in practice projects. The authors follow it up with a lot of examples and case studies, so you can use this as a reference for any developer.

[Madhur Bhargava · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used this book to brush up on the SOLID principles and they are indeed explained in much detail and depth. However, the approach to explaining these principles primarily focuses on the "HOW" aspect, with only a minimal emphasis on the "why." It could be a matter of personal preference, but I find it more effective when the rationale behind these principles is thoroughly explained before delving into the details of how to implement them. Nonetheless, thanks to the guidance from this book, I was able to conduct some additional research independently for a better understanding of the topic. Hence, if you are embarking on a journey of software design, this book could prove to be a valuable companion.

[Deeporion Technology · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding guide for anyone serious about Agile methodologies. I recently revisited this classic, and it's incredible how well it transitions from traditional approaches like Waterfall to Agile in an accessible way. It’s perfect for anyone aiming to deepen their understanding, from beginners to seasoned developers. In my work across Agile projects, building a skilled, collaborative team has been crucial to our success. I highly recommend exploring Deeporion Technology's Full-stack Development services for anyone looking to strengthen their Agile project with the right expertise.

This book provides actionable insights on applying Agile principles and patterns, supported by real-world examples. It’s a powerful resource to help developers implement these ideas in practical settings.

[Susan Janda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agile Software Development, Principles, Patterns, and Practices" is a comprehensive guide for mastering agile methodologies. It emphasizes iterative development, collaboration, and adaptability. For those looking to apply agile principles in mobile apps development, consider exploring the features discussed in this insightful blog post. It provides valuable insights on creating a robust and user-friendly travel mobile app aligned with agile principles, enhancing the development process.

[Христя Оверко · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agile software development has become a cornerstone in modern software engineering, emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, and iterative progress. If you're interested in learning more about Agile principles, patterns, and practices, I recommend checking out the comprehensive guide available at Springs. Software Development Services for Startups It covers essential aspects of Agile development and offers valuable insights for both beginners and experienced practitioners. Happy reading!

[Razvan Matei · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read up this book up to the Packaging the Payroll System, right before starting the ETS Study Case. The reason for this abandon is that this book is very large (at least for me, a novice in reading technical books).

It is a great book for learning Design Patterns. Also, it is a nice read as the author has a good sense of humor, and inserts funny stuff here and there.

[Per Flitig · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a bit dated but the book provides a lot of useful information on making software projects successful. It’s the kind of book I wish I read a long time ago at the beginning of my career. Still, it’s valuable to revisit these concepts once in a while.
I would categorize this book as recommended reading for budding software engineers.

[Jess Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, my friend who works at a custom software development company recommended this book to me. The book covers all of the basics that you need to know as a beginner that are typically overlooked in other books for beginners. All of this information is presented in an easy-to-understand format with lots of examples along the way.

[Malaika]

This book is a useful resource for programmers who want to blend Agile development with good software engineering practices. It covers the core ideas of Agile and object-oriented design. Just remember, since it was published in 2002, some of the specific practices might be a bit different these days.

Malaika from https://www.sqlops.com/

[Rodrigo Almeida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelent book. Every developer must read this book, at least, once in your professional life. It hasn't just talking about design patterns, but how to get there and when and if makes sense. Give you a critical vision about design patterns, refactoring, TDD and process development.

[Sigit Hadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

book that you should read .

[Ivan Ković · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice explanation of SOLID principles. Some of the stuff is outdated but conveys the message good enough

[Rafalp · Rating 1 out of 5]

Outdated

[Till Chen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first few chapters until SOLID and design patterns are more relevant to Agile.

[Boogie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clench your teeth or you will not finish this magnificent piece of art. It's packed with C++ and Java snippets, UMLs, case studies, etc. It's more like having a job than reading a book.

[Marcin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was big changer in my career. It teached me how to be a developer. Not just a coder.

[Jose Ernesto · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read for a software developer

[David Greenbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most influential software engineering book in my library.

[Farzin]

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[Huralnyk Oleksii · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to reread it. Several times.