Tips for Trainees, Guidance for Veterans

Programming is a field of rapid job change. Its practitioners are expected to take many jobs, to move up the ladder constantlypossibly working only a year as a programmer at one place, gaining education, knowledge, wisdom, and experience, then moving quickly higher and higher at different companies. Good programmers grow quickly. This book will show you how to get the right job, acquire the right business knowledge, focus on whats going to be productive for you and the company, and clarify what your next career step should be. (If youre not planning your next career step, youre probably in big trouble.)

Specifically, Ive provided advice for the following groups of programmers:

For the beginning programmer: How to approach and complete projects, establish an intelligent routine, borrow code, meet your managers expectations, andmost crucialhow to become savvy about your companys business processes.

For the programmer with a few years of experience: How to move out of dog work (maintenance) and take on the challenging, high-visibility, high-risk projects that lead to recognition and promotion.

For the seasoned programmer : How to hone your skills beyond normal programming prowess with productivity tools and programming techniques. In shorthow to stay at the top of your game.

For the programmer with an entrepreneurial bent: How to evaluate and then master the risks and rewards of a life as a programmer consultant, founder of a software company, or a software inventor .