How Do You Read Technical Books?

Interesting article Meera. For a start, I much prefer hard copies of books - just to have them on the shelf. Also, I've found that I understand things a lot more by working through the samples, even though that takes more time.

True, books are expensive - I purchase based on other people's reviews, or if the author is well known. Of course there are those books that get such good recommendations from other developers I have to buy them.

I'm not sure I have your level of addiction :)

One drawback to technical books is that the API information can be out of date by the time the book is published...

One thing I have is a roadmap of the technologies I need to learn. Before doing this I would read only the latest releases. I can read a maximum of 2 books a month, so planing is necessary.

 About the soft or hard copies, I think that books with samples and exercises are better in pdf format. Books about methodologies are more confortable in real paper.

One drawback to technical books is that the API information can be out of date by the time the book is published...

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I completely agree, James. But, companies don't immediately move to the new versions either just because they are out. Take for example JDK, I have worked with many clients who are still using Java 1.4.

So, these books do serve their purpose at least for a couple of years. 

Meera Subbarao

Important subject!

Generally I prefer the hard copy: I download from Internet the technical articles and books that I read as reference ( i.e. "Thinkin in Java" of Bruce Eckel). Also I don't buy book about programming language but about algoritms, data structure, architecture (i.e. the Tanenbaum's book about network systems, operating systems etc) because I have found often that the programming books are full of code, then it's better to coding directly :)

PS I try ever to buy the books not in english but in italian language :))))

PS I try ever to buy the books not in english but in italian language :))))

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I had no idea that the technical books are published in Italian as well.

Meera Subbarao

Always read PDF. Plus reading consists of 3 stages.

First - just quick overlook over content - usually I understand is there any reason to read this book more deeply (unfortunately there are a lot of crap books); second - first reading just to push information to brain. In process I usually making notes - it's greatly improves memory productivity. After month second re-read - here knowledge becomes solid and strongly grips into memory.

If book is perfect - then I usually buy paper book and have quick eye on them from time to time (Effective Java,  O'Reilly Head First series, O'Reilly Cookbook series).

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I totally aggree with you.  I don't have a ton of time to read books Thoroughly the first time through.  So I try to do an under 30 minute skim of the book with minor notes for a high level understanding.  I usually don't come back to the month for a full read in a month, but wait until I have something in a project or an idea for something that I can use the books content for.  This helps me when I am on a project and I have  an instance that the book will help with.  This is the most efficient way for me to learn as a developer since their is so much technical content out there these days.  I have tried the thorough approach and I rarely end up finishing the book.  

Bryan Canonica .Net Developer Philadelphia, PA Area

I need a hardcopy as I can read in the metro, I cannot read more than 10 pages on a computer ;-(

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I like the idea of reading in the metro. I am stuck in the traffic nearly 2-3 hours everyday, but since most places I work are not metro accessible, I feel I am wasting my time listening to XM rather than reading books.  

Meera Subbarao

Steve, Geertjan,

Do you prefer the same for books with more than 600 pages also? 

Yes, I think you almost have to be addicted to books to be in this buisness. But I approch it a little differant. In stead of wasting my money on buying all of those books I belong to Safari where I can scan through most anything I want. I do the cheap subscription as I can only scan through 4-5 books a month. If I find something I really want to read indeapth then I buy the dead tree version of the book. But I do use Safari for referance type of books as you really can't beat having it right there wherever and when ever I need them including (Searching there entire book lib, Attaching notes to specific book/page, ect..) I have been using Safari for about 2-3years now and I don't really know what I would do with out it.

I'm also thinking of getting an eePC the 10' one specificly so I can have my books anywhere I go. 

and I like to try all examples in the book, I even try to write them myself and not to use the accompanied CD to copy the examples from. I like to feel the examples by writing them myself :) .

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I agree completely with you here. I just have to get all the examples working, that's so important when learning any new technology. I have worked with so many authors also when the samples were just not working. 

Meera Subbarao

I prefer both, where I can refer to the PDF copy during development time while hard copy is good for those books where I get ideas from.

Of late, I've been picking up books on software development design techniques as well as software development management which is worthwhile to read in hard copy form. I don't think I would like to have a hot laptop on my lap while reading those in PDF. ;-)

Anyway, most of the books I have to pay out of my own pocket but that's because I get a nifty tax rebate from it! :-)

However, in terms of PDF books, I'm trying to figure out a "library" system to hold my PDF titles and able to search for it easier... Hehehe... Google Desktop comes very handy for this. :-)

Aside from technical books, I think as software developers, we need to pick up some soft skills book like leadership, or management if we're in that role. 

I am beginner programmer and wanted to read lots of books but i find its hard to finish single book a month if book has lots of pages, how you are able to finish 3 books a month, is there any tips for such fast reading. normally how many hour you read in a day.

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Hi Dinesh,

I have been travelling a lot lately, and so have ample time to read while travelling. If not also, I do keep almost an hour or two everyday before going to bed to read books, write articles, visit other blogs. As I said earlier also, if I find a book interesting and it has lots of working examples, I download the same and work on them. I usually carry my laptop everywhere; and that's the reason I like soft copies. I can read them anywhere. 

Meera Subbarao