|  Larman, Craig. Applying UML and Patterns: An Introduction to Object-Oriented Analysis and Design and the Unified Process (2nd Edition) . Indianapolis, IN: Prentice Hall, 2001 (ISBN 0130925691). This book tells you how to use UML and design patterns. Coad, Peter and Mark Mayfield. Java Design: Building Better Apps and Applets . Indianapolis, IN: Prentice Hall, 1999 (ISBN 0139111816). This book explains object-oriented design. Whitten, J.L., L.D. Bentley, and K.C. Dittman. Systems Analysis and Design Methods, Fifth Edition . Boston, MA: Irwin/McGraw Hill, 2000 (ISBN 0072315393). This book explains how to conduct good analysis and design. I don't mind the dry format, but some programmers do.  http://standards.ieee.org/software/ ”View IEEE software standards. http://www.iso.ch/ ”The home page for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a worldwide federation of national standards bodies from more than 140 countries , one from each country. They are considered the world's top standards organization, including for software. http://www.computer.org/ ”The home page for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society. With nearly 100,000 members , the IEEE Computer Society is considered by many to be the world's leading organization of computer professionals. Founded in 1946, it is the largest of IEEE's 36 societies .  | 