The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World

• Conquer the problems that all professional programmers routinely face, regardless of language, operating system, or platform
• Improve your ability to deliver solid code, on time and under budget, in even the most uncooperative environments
• Master the self-defense techniques that you need to shield yourself, your project, and your code from corporate politics, arbitrary management decisions, and marketing-driven deadlines

Unrealistic schedules, unstable releases, continual overtime, and skyrocketing stress levels are legendary in the software development industry. Unlike traditional occupations such as accounting or administration, the software business is populated by programmers who are as creative and passionate about their work as musicians or artists. For most, it is a complete surprise when they enter the business world and find that internal politics, inept management, and unrealistic marketing drive the process rather than a structured and orderly approach based on technical issues and quality.

The Career Programmer explains how the individual programmer or project manager can work within the existing system to solve deadline problems and regain control of the development process. Care is taken to offer proven, practical, and hands-on solutions that are designed to work when confronted with the political and chaotic realities of the business environment. Issues are addressed from the points of view of both the programmer and project manager, and steps are shown in all perspectives, from large-scale teams down to projects with a single developer. For the individual programmer or project manager, the end results are less overtime, less stress, higher-quality software, and a more satisfying career.

Contents

Part I: Software Development in an Imperfect World

• Chapter 1: Welcome to Corporate America
• Chapter 2: Business is War - Meet the Enemy
• Chapter 3: Good Coding Skills Are Not Enough

Part II: Guerilla Tactics for Front Line Programmers

• Chapter 4: Preventing Unrealistic Deadlines
• Chapter 5: Practical Estimating Techniques
• Chapter 6: Getting Your Requirements Etched in Stone
• Chapter 7: Effective Design in the Time You're Given
• Chapter 8: Keeping the Project Under Control
• Chapter 9: Fighting For Quality Assurance
• Chapter 10: Managing Your Management
• Chapter 11: Corporate Self Defense
• Chapter 12: Controlling Your Own Destiny
• Index