Rating: 
Summary: Each language has its place within the Tao ...
Review: ... But do not program in Cobol if you can avoid it. (from Chapter 1.2)Thus spake the master programmer (Geoffery James). I am both a follower of Tao and a programmer of more than 30 years experience. I am also a great fan of this book. It belongs on every programmer's bookshelf, right beside _The_Mythical_Man-Month_ and _The_Devil's_DP_Dictionary_ Just to drive the point home, here is Chapter 4.3 (I appeal to the "Fair Use" exclusion of the Copyright Law): A master was explaining the nature of Tao to one of his novices. "The Tao is embodied in all software -- regardless of how insignificant," said the master. "Is the Tao in a hand-held calculator?" asked the novice. "It is," came the reply. "Is the Tao in a video game?" continued the novice. "It is even in a video game," said the master. "And is the Tao in the DOS for a personal computer?" The master coughed and shifted his position slightly. "The lesson is over for today," he said.
Rating:
Summary: Each language has its place within the Tao ...
Review: ... But do not program in Cobol if you can avoid it. (from Chapter 1.2) Thus spake the master programmer (Geoffery James). I am both a follower of Tao and a programmer of more than 30 years experience. I am also a great fan of this book. It belongs on every programmer's bookshelf, right beside _The_Mythical_Man-Month_ and _The_Devil's_DP_Dictionary_ Just to drive the point home, here is Chapter 4.3 (I appeal to the "Fair Use" exclusion of the Copyright Law): A master was explaining the nature of Tao to one of his novices. "The Tao is embodied in all software -- regardless of how insignificant," said the master. "Is the Tao in a hand-held calculator?" asked the novice. "It is," came the reply. "Is the Tao in a video game?" continued the novice. "It is even in a video game," said the master. "And is the Tao in the DOS for a personal computer?" The master coughed and shifted his position slightly. "The lesson is over for today," he said.
Rating:
Summary: Part Dilbert, part "Mythical Man Month", and part Taoist.
Review:
'Thus spake the master programmer: "Let the programmers be many and the managers few -- then all will be productive."'
Gems like this are scattered throughout Geoffery James software survival manual. This book ranks with Brook's "Mythical Man Month" on the required reading list for anyone in the software industry. It is also one of the funniest books I've ever read.
James re-writes the ancient chinese "Tao Te Ching" as a guide on software development. This book will leave you breathless, both from so much laughing and from the wisdom in his succinct commentary on software. Geoffery James does what all great comedians do; he confronts us with the ridiculousness of everyday practice. If you've had any experience in the software trenches, you'll love this book and the trenchant illustration of the software industry.
The amazing thing is it doesn't just accurately point out flaws in a funny way, it leads you to the right way. This book is definitely worth more then one read through.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: A definite must read for anyone involved in programmin
Rating:
Summary: Need patience to understand the true meaning.
Review: Found this book interesting....it is so small that i read it start to finish just before sleeping.
The Good:
Pretty straightforward....nicely explained principles with simpl examples
The Bad:
Falls short of completion. Too small a book.
Food for thought:
This book..however small it really is...should be read more than once to understand the deeper essence the author is trying to convey to you. If u just hover through it...you will certainly find it a "READ ONCE" material.
Rating:
Summary: A delightful insight in to the way of the programmer.
Review: It is an easy book to read and you should be able to complete the book in a sitting. The important components that surround the programmer is touched upon and reinforced with (really really) clever anecdotes. It's one of the shortest books I've read but undoubtedly one of the most inspirational. There's something for everyone in that book but a programmer such as myself would will find it more delightful to read than any other person.
Rating:
Summary: Expect enlightenment
Review: One of the funniest books I've ever read. And amazingly poignant, as well. A must have for anyone who programs computers. When I'm stuck on a project, I reach for "Tao" and usually gain a little perspective. It's expensive for a small book, but worth more than you paid for it.
Rating:
Summary: A life changing read...
Review: The wise programmer is told about the Tao and follows it. The averate programmer is told about the Tao and searches for it. The foolish programmer is told about the Tao and laughs at it. If it were not for laugher there would be no Tao. (chapter 1.4) Everyone seems to be reviewing this by quoting it - I couldn't help it either, because this is such a great book, you can't help wanting to relay the wisdom in it. I show it to as many people as I can - the foolish ones laugh. The smart ones laugh too, but they hopefully learn something...
Rating:
Summary: a mainstay
Review: This book is a nice little read for programmers and philosophers. Not to be taken too seriously but a great buy at this price. Good bathrooom reading. Its like a "chicken soup for the soul book" for nerds.
Rating:
Summary: A classic computer reading
Review: This is a classic reading for those in the computer industry. In fact, excerpts have made their way into the 'fortune cookie' program on many UNIX systems. Here is one such jewel: A master programmer passed a novice programmer one day. The master noted the novice's preoccupation with a hand-held computer game. Excuse me", he said, "may I examine it?" The novice bolted to attention and handed the device to the master. "I see that the device claims to have three levels of play: Easy, Medium, and Hard", said the master. "Yet every such device has another level of play, where the device seeks not to conquer the human, nor to be conquered by the human." "Pray, great master," implored the novice, "how does one find this mysterious setting?" The master dropped the device to the ground and crushed it under foot. And suddenly the novice was enlightened.
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