Writing solid code

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1. ljosifovMay 2026
   +1 for boring. Boring code is Solid Code, in the sense of "Writing Solid Code" - the old book by Steve Maguire.
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2. ChrisMarshallNYSep 2025
   True, dat.

   Writing Solid Code is over 30 years old, and has techniques that are still completely relevant, today (some have become industry standard).

   Reading that, was a watershed in my career.

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3. ChrisMarshallNYJan 2025
   About 30 years ago, there was this wonderful book, called Writing Solid Code[0]. Reading it, was a watershed, in my personal development.

   It has many techniques described, that have since become Canon, and a number that have not aged so well.

   One that is probably impractical, these days, is Step Through Your Code. He recommends stepping through every line of your code in a symbolic debugger, making sure that the code flow is what you expect, and the app state is appropriate.

   Every now and then, I can do it. Often, when I’m already there, for something else. It really does work.

   [0] https://writingsolidcode.com/

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4. ChrisMarshallNYJun 2024
   Writing Solid Code, from 30 years ago, by Steve Maguire, was a watershed, for me.

   Many of the techniques, therein, are now standard practice.

   It also espoused a basic philosophy of Quality, which doesn’t seem to have aged as well.

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5. ljosifovFeb 2024
   Write boring code. Dumb code - that's too much, no need for. Boring is just right. Steve Maguire's "Writing Solid Code" is the rare book that is both practical and abstract in the right amounts. With time passing, it looks to me that boring, obvious is close enough to solid.
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6. igibbsNov 2023
   'Elements of Programming' by Stepanov and McJones

   'Software Fundamentals' by Hoffman and Weiss,

   'Writing Solid Code' by Maguire,

   'Code Complete' by McConnell

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