What are some good books for learning about software design/architechure? [closed]

Answer 1

My Professor at RWTH recommended these:

Jacobson, I., et al (1992): Object Oriented Software Engineering

Meyer, B. (1997) : Object Oriented Software Construction,2nd edition, Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-136-29155-4

Answer 2

General Responsibility Assignment Software Principles and Domain Driven Design are in my opinion are the next must have things you should get familiar with after learning to code. API Design is also a good read, especially when you are developing the software that will be used/extended by multiple people.

I am not in favor of learning patterns as it is EASIER to misuse them if the intention is not understood correctly. (Everything seems like a nail if you have a hammer kind of thing). I have nothing against patterns but I have seen it mostly misused by the junior developers thus creating hard to maintain products.

Answer 3

I really like Fowler's Design Patterns. Deep stuff, some of it's hard to get through, but yum.

Answer 4

Though perhaps it is not strictly architecture-related (although I believe you'll find that most prescriptions of architecture patterns are mere guidelines at best, and far from comprehensive), Steve McConnell's Code Complete is truly required reading. More importantly than teaching you design patterns, it will teach you to be a better programmer so that you can make these kinds of decisions for yourself.