Clean Code

by Robert C. Martin
Clean Code cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Technology and Innovation
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Waterstones
Paperback • £43.99–£47.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 9794
  • Added: 2026-01-02
  • Updated: 2026-01-19
  • ISBN: 9780132350884
  • Publisher: Pearson Education
  • Published: 2009-01-01
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Clean Code is a comprehensive guide that delves into the process of refining and optimizing code. The author provides a detailed look at how small, strategic changes can significantly enhance the performance and maintainability of an application's codebase. This book is not just about the end result but also about the journey, showing how incremental improvements can lead to a more robust and efficient codebase. It's a must-read for developers looking to elevate their coding practices and create high-quality software.

Reviews
gerlacdt.github.io · 2024-12-13
excellent 4.00

The book is packed with valuable programming advice, primarily demonstrated through Java examples but applicable to other languages. It emphasizes the importance of writing clean, maintainable code.

This book is a treasure trove of programming wisdom. The advice is practical and well-illustrated, making it a valuable resource for any developer. The focus on clean code principles helps improve coding practices and makes the codebase more maintainable. However, some readers might find the Java-centric examples less relevant if they work with different languages, but the underlying principles remain universally applicable.

Quick quotes

    The book itself is full of great programming advice, mainly written in Java but applicable in other programming languages as well.

    It's full of useful principles that can help you write better code.

    The book emphasizes the importance of writing clean, maintainable code.

qntm.org · 2020-06-28
poor 2.00

The book is criticized for its poor example code, which is seen as dreadful and not reflective of good programming practices. The advice, while valuable, is overshadowed by the subpar examples.

This review is quite critical of Clean Code, particularly the example code provided. The reviewer finds the examples dreadful and not reflective of good programming practices. While the advice given in the book is valuable, the poor quality of the examples detracts from the overall message. The reviewer suggests that the book might not be as helpful as it could be if the examples were better. This perspective highlights the importance of quality examples in technical literature.

Quick quotes

    The major problem I have with Clean Code is that a lot of the example code in the book is just dreadful.

    The advice is valuable, but the examples are poor.

    The book could be more helpful if the examples were better.

Henrik Warne's blog · Henrik Warne · 2015-01-03
great 4.50

The book is highly recommended for all programmers, offering valuable insights and practical advice. The organization and examples make it a worthwhile read, though some sections could be more concise.

Henrik Warne's review highlights the book's excellent organization and practical advice, making it a must-read for programmers. The examples are well-chosen and the insights are valuable. However, he notes that some sections could be more concise, which might make the reading experience smoother. Overall, the book is seen as a significant contribution to the field of software development, emphasizing the importance of writing clean, maintainable code.

Quick quotes

    Clean Code is an excellent book that all programmers should read.

    The book is well-organized and the examples are well-chosen.

    The insights in the book are valuable and practical.

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