General IT Books?

Torulf would like to start an ongoing discussion on books that anyone in the IT field would benefit in having in their library: "Here's a topic that might generate some interesting discussions. I'm a student trying to get general knowledge of the IT business. The question here is about what is regarded 'basic knowledge' and where to find it. As we all know (I hope), a lot of knowledge can really only be learned through experience. In many cases, however, a read through the theory will save you a lot of time. As books are also easier to look up than experience, below is a suggestion of a reading list that might give a decent general knowledge in the field. Please fill out the gaps with what you think is required knowledge for anyone working in the industry. Mostly this is about a general overview of the different areas of the IT industry, but if you have suggestions of good material for becoming an expert in some particular field, by all means, share your knowledge." Torulf has compiled a fairly long list of books, below, however your own suggestions are always welcome.

"To start off the discussion, here are a few suggestions as to likely candidates. The books are linked to Amazon since they can provide a fairly quick and complete description of the books online.

Programming:
Learning a few languages certainly won't hurt. Here are some suggestions:

• The C programming language
• The C++ programming language
• Programming Perl
• Programming Python
• A Book about Java
• A Book on SQL
• A Book about Functional languages (LISP, ML, etc.)

Design:
For any non-trivial task, it is suggested that you design before you code.

• Design Patterns
• UML Distilled

User Interfaces:
A lot of programmers are more than clueless in this area. These at least won't hurt:

• Designing Visual Interfaces
• Usability Engineering
• POET

Graphics:
Some general knowledge about graphics.

• Real-Time Rendering
• Computer Graphics

Business/Management:
Here's something about management and financing. I don't really know about a good reference for marketing applied to the IT industry. This is the area where the average geek is even more ignorant than concerning UI.

• High Tech Start Up
• The Mythical Man Month
• Code Complete

Security:
Alright, this list should be a lot longer.

• Security Engineering

Misc.
And last some stuff that didn't fit in any of the categories above.

• Modern Operating Systems
• Computer Networks
• A few operating systems
• A book about markup languages, ie HTML, XML, DHTML, etc
• A book about Algorithms and Data Structures in general
• At least some basic knowledge about Hardware
• Wireless systems seem to be growing. It might pay off to learn something about Symbian, J2ME etc."

Now that's a start to a comprehensive IT Library if I've ever seen one. How do you all feel about this list (if not the specific selections, then at least the material being covered)? If you were to make changes or additions, what would they be?

Comments

BofH books.

[Telastyn]

These are the guide to proper systems administration.

But seriously, I cannot immagine anyone learning the "basics" better than fiddling around with things, and learning how they work (by breaking them more likely than not).

Dont Forget

[Anonymous Coward]

The Peter Principle

The perfect introduction to understanding IT management :-)

This guy...

[littleRedFriend]

seems to have done OK in the IT business and wrote a nice book about it.

the road ahead

Re:This guy...

[rnturn]

Nice try, Bill. We know that's you.

A shameful slur against a great author

[Tomble]

It's like that presentation edition of The Complete Works of Willy Wagglestick that sits on the shelf looking splendid and making you very proud that you own it, but never actually getting read.

I've got that, and I've read it several times over, in particular, his most seminal work Waggling Onwards. Anyone who has a copy of this masterpiece but hasn't taken the time to read any of it, like you clearly haven't, should be utterly ashamed of themselves.

If anyone else isn't familiar with his works yet, I strongly recommend they go to their local library or bookshop and ask for a copy of the aformentioned title, they will be glad they did.

Waggling Ever Upwards was much better!

[alienmole]

Look, there's no question. Sure, if you're new to his work, Waggling Onwards seems profound, but it just doesn't compare to the subtlety and sheer intellectual discipline of Waggling Ever Upwards.

Why, it even inspired poetry: "waggling, wibble wobbling, spiraling ever upwards", from Blue Clear Silence, by Claiborne Schley Walsh. (Warning: link may be considered literary equivalent of goatse, by some...)