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Top 5 Software Development Magazines?
juanescalante asks: "I graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science about 9 months ago and I have been working as a software developer for more than a year now. I keep looking for ways to improve myself in what I do, and seeking to gain knowledge from those who have a lot more experience than me. I've been reading books like 'Code Complete' and 'The Pragmatic Programmer' and I would also like to subscribe to a couple of great magazines. So, to all you experienced developers, which are the top software development magazines?"
Embedded Systems Design is a magazine and a web site that covers that field. Realizing that many embedded s/w engineers are really dual-hatted EEs, they have had some "basics" articles over the last few years.
The clearance system sounds logical. It is not. It is completely arbitrary. -- John Bolton
-paul
Pistol caliber is like religion: everyone has their favourite, and theirs is the only right choice.
For just programming in general, and embedded systems specifically, go for Embedded Systems Programming. Even if you don't plan on working on embedded systems, the articles target a lot of topics that I wish 'regular' programmers studied.
It's essentially a 'free' trade magazine, and all the articles are online (check out Jack Ganssle's column - Here's an example on worst case analysis.)
Beyond that, Dr Dobbs is the only other 'general' programming mag I'd recomend. Beyond that, pick up some that specifically address your industry, languages, APIs, and interfaces. There are a ton of C, Java, C++, web, exnterprise, database, etc magazines that will be interesting and useful to you.
Please note that we are moving ever more toward an embedded future.
-Adam
I subscribe to Dr. Dobbs Journal (a.k.a DDJ) and the C/C++ Users Journal (CUJ). I liked DDJ a lot when I first started subscribing to it 15 years ago. It got a little lean a few years ago but seems to be getting better lately. Still, though, it's a classic and the CD-Rom archive is terrific. CUJ is more focused on C++, but I like it for keeping up with modern trends in the C++ world.
The right question is "how do I become a better programmer?"
The answer is: write more code, and learn more programming techniques and languages. Also learn about infrastructure software like databases, and the more rigorous aspects of the OSes you use like networking and security.
Certainly you should read books, especially "programming methodology" types of things. Not because there's a silver bullet laying around, but because it helps you think about how to improve the quality and efficiency of your work.
But the bottom line is write lots of code. You can get lots of experience and help in this by joining some open source projects and contributing, or you can just work on your own projects or products.
If you have any time left in the month, you can lay in bed reading the computer mags. But really, if you join some real projects you'll spend too much time reading mailing lists to waste much time reading print mags.
-- John.
Depending on what you plan writing for.
But if you plan on going the (evil) Microsoft route: MSDN and Dr Dobbs.
Not that Dr Dobbs has any real Windows connections, it is just a good mag.
And, if you dont like the idea of giving Micro$oft any more of you cash, just read it online at msdn.microsoft.com.
--let the flames being
Bad User. No biscuit!
Dr Dobbs
You can find lots of free magazines related to many specialties here: http://www.TradePub.com/
When I can, like a lot of developers I read Dr. Dobbs, C (/C++) User's Journal, Java Developers Journal (JDJ), and some .NET junk.
But honestly, I get a lot more value career-wise out of reading trade magazines in the verticals I work in. Utility companies, retail stores, financial companies, etc. Knowing even a small amount about their business goes a long way to understanding their problems and being able to communicate with them.
Have you considered publications put out by folks like the ACM or IEEE?
When I was an active programmer, doing OS development and such, I used to read publications from both.
IEEE has many journals, conference proceedings, and standards.
ACM has just as much, but, IMHO, is somewhat more acedemic in slant. I'll leave the exploration of the ACM web site in your able hands.
----- Lotus Super 7 - A real car.
While not magazines, I've found these resources to be useful in becoming a better programmer:
CLiki, a programming language blog. Contains lots of stuff on programming languages and paradigms, including debates on merits and disadvantages.
ll-discuss, a mailing list related to programming language concepts. Perhaps most interesting if you're into language implementation, but it's the closest thing to a magazine that I can recommend.
Bugtraq, a (the?) security list. This will teach you what things to avoid; at least, the 3 most common errors.
Practical Common Lisp, a book that basically provides a crash course on Common Lisp. It shows you how things are done in Common Lisp, why they are done that way, and occasionally draws comparisons with other languages, everything including practical examples. It is said that, even if you don't program in Lisp, knowing it makes you a better programmer.
How to Design Programs, a fairly extensive book on program design. I haven't read the whole book, but it seems to both solidly and concisely cover many fundamentals. It uses Scheme for explaining things, but the material applies to other languages just as well.
Please correct me if I got my facts wrong.
All the current suggestions from other posters I would agree with, Dr. Dobbs, ACM, IEEE, CUJ. But probably, like regular media, the smaller players are picking up the slack, even if they are web only. ServerSide, JavaLobby, IBM Systems Journal, Software Development, Artima Developer, JavaWorld, and DeveloperWorks are a few of the excellent ones I regularly read.
I became a fan of Free Software Magazine the first time I saw it advertised. I immediately subscribed, and am grateful for every issue that has been released. Yes, there are some other very important magazines out there, ACM comes to mind, but if you want to support a grass-roots magazine dedicated to free software, and what developers like you and I can accomplish, this project definitely deserves your attention and support.
*waits patiently for Tony Mobily, editor in chief of FSM, to extend his subscription for his evangelical work*
I haven't lost my mind!
It is backed up on disk...somewhere...
I like Dr. Dobbs Journal, C/C++ Users Journal, Communications of the ACM and IEEE CGA.
:p
If you haven't heard of DDJ or CUJ before, give them both a try. DDJ covers all sorts of stuff and (as an example) the October '05 CUJ had the best accidental intro to template metaprogramming I've ever seen.
One of CACM's selling points is that the articles are regularly featured on slashdot.
IMO, IEEE CGA is much more useful to me than any of ACM's SIGGRAPH stuff. This is only relevant if you're into computer graphics at all.
I'm thinking of joining the Association of C/C++ Users for it's C-Vu journal, I dunno.
I read 2600 for the hell of it.
Your mileage will vary.
[o]_O
IEEE Software is my favorite software development magazine. It tends to straddle the academic and professional worlds in a way that most other publications don't. To give you a sense of how good it is, it was once edited by the author of Code Complete, and it features a column by the guys who wrote "The Pragmatic Programmer".
Frankly, there are no great magazines, but there are a lot of great articles. Most of them are never put to a glossy page.
Read blogs. Surf. Find your community. Keep reading those books. That is the way to keep growing.
I loved Computer Language in its heyday. Really fun stuff, wacko languages, programming problems, Ken and Barbie naked on the cover...
EricBlackBerry programming stuff
The ACCU, which is primarily UK-based but has a US chapter, produces a bi-monthly magazine that is primarily focused on C and C++, but also covers Java and Python. It also has excellent book reviews and runs a cracking conference (in the UK) every year.
Of any non-academic magazines, Game Developer Magazine is by the far the hardest of the hardcore when it comes to programming and computer science. Plus its fun stuff (but not easy!). Its tough to get a sub if you aren't in the games industry, but if you manage to get one, you won't be disappointed.