“Algorithms to Live By” – My Favourite Developer Audiobook

Today I want to share with you a review of the most exciting book I have listened to so far –“Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions” by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths. I have already mentioned it on this blog when simulating the secretary problem. This is just an example of many fascinating problems this book talks about. Continue reading to find out why it makes such an amazing listening experience. Continue reading ““Algorithms to Live By” – My Favourite Developer Audiobook”

Audiobooks – a secret weapon of a busy software developer

I have blogged about my road to productivity recently. I received a comment there from one of my readers asking me if I have a secret weapon that helped me be so productive. While I don’t have a secret weapon strictly for productivity, I realised that I have a secret weapon (or two) for learning. That weapon is simply… Audiobooks! Continue reading “Audiobooks – a secret weapon of a busy software developer”

Simulating the Secretary Problem with Java

You might have noticed that I like reading books. I have recently read “Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions” which absolutely fascinated me! The book mentions a famous optimal stopping (Wikipedia) problem called Secretary Problem. In this blog post, I will explain it and then we will have some fun simulating it with Java. Let’s see if we can find a solution by brute force! Continue reading “Simulating the Secretary Problem with Java”

My road to productivity – start finishing and producing

Being productive and motivated- who wouldn’t want that? I used to think that some people are just born more motivated, that some people simply are this way. “The War of Art” is an eye-opening book. I think that if I have never read it- it is unlikely that I would manage to write two articles a week for this blog ever since starting in January 2018. Here is a short story on my road to productivity. Continue reading “My road to productivity – start finishing and producing”

How to be a good Scrum Master? Start with this book!

“Scrum Mastery: From Good To Great Servant-Leadership” – a book that I picked up recently based on it being the number one selling book about Agile Methodologies (from Amazon). I also wanted a fresh view on that role, given that I work in a Scrum team myself. Was it worth my time? Definitely! Continue reading “How to be a good Scrum Master? Start with this book!”

Discovering “Clean Architecture” with Uncle Bob

Recently I have been taking a bit of a step back from microservices and trying to look at systems architecture from a more general perspective. With that mindset, I have picked up “Clean Architecture” (Amazon) by the “Legendary Craftsman” (that’s probably the publisher’s enthusiasm!) Robert C. Martin “Uncle Bob”. What follows is my thoughts and overall review of the book. Continue reading “Discovering “Clean Architecture” with Uncle Bob”

“Cracking the Coding Interview” – learn that and much more!

Three years ago I was looking for a new job. I decided that I will pick up a couple of books to help me revised for the interviews. One of those books was “Cracking the Coding Interview” by Gayle Laakmann Mcdowell. I expected a book that will help me revise for the interviews, but I got a lot more from the book! Continue reading ““Cracking the Coding Interview” – learn that and much more!”

Secrets to Highly Motivated and Happy Software Teams

Who wouldn’t want to work as a part of a happy and motivated software team? Wouldn’t it be great if every team you ever worked with was like that? Based on Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek and Drive by Daniel Pink, I will tell you how to make this possible. Continue reading “Secrets to Highly Motivated and Happy Software Teams”

Effective Java Microservices require Effective Java

Writing good software requires using the right tools. Choosing the right frameworks, libraries and designing smart systems. With all that to learn and worry about, it is easy to forget about another very important thing: using your programming language wisely. In this article, I want to introduce you to “Effective Java” by Joshua Bloch.  Continue reading “Effective Java Microservices require Effective Java”

The Phoenix Project – a key to understanding DevOps

Every now and then you read a book that completely changes how you understand something. “The Phoenix Project” (Amazon) changed how I understand DevOps and driving positive transformations in companies. Keep reading to see why I think everyone working in the software industry should read this book. Continue reading “The Phoenix Project – a key to understanding DevOps”