Apprenticeship Patterns: Guidance for the Aspiring Software Craftsman

This is truly a great reference book for software craftsmanship.Initially Dave gives the story about his experience of software craftsmanship. Then the definitions of software craftsmanship, being an apprentice, being a journeyman, being a master are given. Also apprenticeship and apprenticeship pattern are introduced. In following chapters, Dave and Ade use Context-Problem-Solution-Action pattern to address different situations we may encounter in our programming life. Every situation is a signal to improve ourselves and this book points "how-to" when we are stuck in these situations.To be level up, we need to forget who we are first (emptying the cup). Then think about what we want and the long-term goal (walking the long road). Once the direction is chosen, just do it and don't be afraid of failures (accurate self-assessment). There is no really end of software craftsmanship, and all we could do is to get better and better in our whole life (perpetual learning, construct your curriculum).In Chinese Kong-Fu, there are two categories. One is to train our skill, and the other is to train our mind. "Apprenticeship Patterns" is more like the latter category. Instead of hard skills, this book gives us some guidances in each stage of software craftsmanship on self-improvement.

Meh. The concepts are pretty basic in my opinion and annoying to read from this guy. I feel like he could've condensed this into a 30 page website or essay or something. I got all I needed from the first 10 pages and the rest was a snooze-fest. I wish I hadn't bought this book online (I wouldn't have purchased if I'd seen it first in a brick-and-mortar)... Good for developers with zero social skills or understanding. Honestly, I'd recommend looking elsewhere... like a subreddit, or a blog on the topic of being good/professional in your career...

This is a quick read packed with additional resources to follow up on.As a very experienced programmer who is now moving from the mainframe world late in my career, I found it very refreshing that the author emphasized developing skills as being more important than having experience(surviving).This is a book I will return to many times for the valuable information it contains.I highly recommend this book to anyone that is open to looking at learning in a new way.

This is a book I wish I had when I was first getting interested in software development. Extremely inspirational!I gave away my first copy to someone who had just entered school but I found myself missing it so I just had to buy another copy! I may end up buying yet another copy to keep at work for interns and new hires.

I think this book is a must read for those starting their software career and a solid reality check for those further down the path that are pursuing craftsmanship in their career.

This book at its heart is about honing, nurturing and innovating your craft of choice. The authors take a long view of what it means to build meaningful things in a disciplined yet creative fashion. Heavily recommend for anyone interested in meaningful skill development.

Great advice for aspiring programmers.

The underlying principles apply very well to any other profession, and not only in apprenticeship context: they apply to anyone that wants some hints on how to keep afloat as a professional.

I found the content in this book to be a good read and would recommend it to all developers.

The book is good quality, great content.

One of the best books about Software Craftmanship. Buy it now!