20 Must Read Books for Students to Learn Programming

This post will provide a list of books for students who wish to start their programming career.

Computer Programming is a step-by-step process of designing and developing various computer programs to accomplish a specific computing outcome. The process comprises several tasks like analysis, coding, algorithm generation, etc. Some most common programming languages are Python, Java, JavaScript, Swift, C++, C#, PHP, SQL, GO, etc.

20 Must Read Books for Students to Learn Programming

Here is a list of Books that helps a beginner to start his career in programming.

You may ask “How do you learn programming from books?” Actually, books on computer science can be just as fun and helpful as a course. Many of the best programming books have hands-on challenges and projects to help you implement what you’ve learned.

The books mentioned here are not ranked by any manner, they are simply arranged one after the other.

Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction by Steve McConnell

Code complete is a book written by Steve McConnell. This classic book offers a wide range of code samples with leading edge practises. McConnell has synthesized the most effective techniques and must-know principles into clear, pragmatic guidance for easy learning. This book is designed for minimum complexity and maximum creativity, which keeps the book interesting for the readers.

The DevOps Handbook by Gene Kim, Jez Humble (Author), Patrick Debois (Author), John Willis (Author), John Allspaw (Foreword).

The DevOps Handbook is a book on effective management of technology which is vital for business competitiveness. The DevOps Handbook shows leaders how to replicate these incredible outcomes, by showing how to integrate Product Management, Development, QA, IT Operations, and Information Security to elevate your company and win in the marketplace.

Eloquent JavaScript: A Modern Introduction to Programming by Marijn Haverbekedives. A concise and balanced mix of principles and pragmatics.

JavaScript is the language of the Web, and it’s at the heart of every modern website from the lowliest personal blog to the mighty Google Apps. Eloquent JavaScript goes beyond the cut-and-paste scripts of the recipe books and teaches you to write code that’s elegant and effective. You’ll start with the basics of programming, and learn to use variables, control structures, functions, and data structures. Then you’ll dive into the real JavaScript artistry: higher-order functions, closures, and object-oriented programming.

Learning PHP, MySQL & JavaScript: With jQuery, CSS & HTML5 by Robin Nixon.
This book helps you to build interactive, data-driven websites. In this book, you will also study dynamic web programming with the latest versions, PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, CSS, HTML5, and key jQuery libraries.
At the end of this best programming book, you will be able to learn how to build a social networking site that is suitable for desktop and mobile browsers.
Understand PHP essentials and the basics of object-oriented programming

• Master MySQL, from database structure to complex queries
• Create web pages with PHP and MySQL by integrating forms and other HTML features
• Learn about JavaScript, from functions and event handling to accessing the Document Object Model
• Use libraries and packages, including the Smarty web template system, PEAR program repository, and the Yahoo! User Interface Library
• Make Ajax calls and turn your website into a highly dynamic environment
• Upload and manipulate files and images, validate user input, and secure your applications.

C++ Primer by Stanley B

This book introduces the C++ standard library from the outset. It helps you to write useful programs without the need to master every aspect of the C++ language. This is one of the best programming book which is ideal for a new developer who wants to know core C++ concepts and its techniques. This book helps you to learn through examples that illuminate today’s best coding styles and program design techniques It is useful for C++ programmers of all skill levels.

Introduction to Algorithms by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, Clifford Stein.

This book includes a wide range of algorithms in depth. Every chapter of this book is relatively self-contained. The algorithms are described in this book in English and in pseudocode format.
This is one of the best programming books which offer the treatment of dynamic programming and greedy algorithms and a new notion of edge-based flow. The learning material also provides many exercises, problems, and solutions.

HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites by Jon Duckett

Joining the professional web designers and programmers are new audiences who need to know a little bit of code at work and those who want to make their personal blogs more attractive. Many books which teaches HTML and CSS are dry and only written for those who want to become programmers, which is why this book takes an entirely new approach.
Some of the key features of this book are:
• Utilizes information graphics and lifestyle photography to explain the topics in a simple way that is engaging

• Boasts a unique structure that allows you to progress through the chapters from beginning to end or just dip into topics of particular interest at your leisure

This educational book is one that you will enjoy picking up, reading, then referring back to. It will make you wish other technical topics were presented in such a simple, attractive and engaging way!

Head First Java by Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates

Learning a complex new language is no easy task especially when it is an object-oriented computer programming language like Java. You might think the problem is your brain. It seems to have a mind of its own, a mind that doesn’t always want to take in the dry, technical stuff you’re forced to study.

Head First Java combines puzzles, strong visuals, mysteries, and soul-searching interviews with famous Java objects to engage you in many different ways. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s effective. And, despite its playful appearance, Head First Java is serious stuff: a complete introduction to object-oriented programming and Java. You’ll learn everything from the fundamentals to advanced topics, including threads, network sockets, and distributed programming with RMI. Java 5.0 is a major update to the platform, with deep, code-level changes, even more careful study and implementation is required. So learning the Head First way is more important than ever.

By exploiting how your brain works, Head First Java compresses the time it takes to learn and retain–complex information. Its unique approach not only shows you what you need to know about Java syntax, it teaches you to think like a Java programmer. If you want to be bored, buy some other book. But if you want to understand Java, this book’s for you.

Eloquent Ruby by Russ Olsen

It’s easy to write correct Ruby code, but to gain the fluency needed to write great Ruby code, you must go beyond syntax and absorb the “Ruby way” of thinking and problem solving.

In Eloquent Ruby, Russ Olsen helps you write Ruby like true Rubyists do-so you can leverage its immense, surprising power. Olsen draws on years of experience internalizing the Ruby culture and teaching Ruby to other programmers. He guides you to the “Ah Ha!” moments when it suddenly becomes clear why Ruby works the way it does, and how you can take advantage of this language’s elegance and expressiveness.

Eloquent Ruby starts small, answering tactical questions focused on a single statement, method, test, or bug. You’ll discover why Ruby classes contain so many tiny methods, when to use operator overloading, and when to avoid it. Olsen explains how to write Ruby code that writes its own code. He concludes with powerful project-level features and techniques ranging from gems to Domain Specific Languages.

Learn Python 3 the Hard Way: A Very Simple Introduction to the Terrifyingly Beautiful World of Computers and Code by Zed A. Shaw

Zed Shaw has perfected the world’s best system for learning Python 3. Follow it and you will succeed–just like the millions of beginners Zed has taught to date! You bring the discipline, commitment, and persistence; the author supplies everything else.

In Learn Python 3 the Hard Way, you’ll learn Python by working through 52 brilliantly crafted exercises. Read them. Type their code precisely. Fix your mistakes. Watch the programs run. As you do, you’ll learn how a computer works; what good programs look like; and how to read, write, and think about code. Zed then teaches you even more in 5+ hours of video where he shows you how to break, fix, and debug your code–live, as he’s doing the exercises.

This course will reward you for every minute you put into it. Soon, you’ll know one of the world’s most powerful, popular programming languages. You’ll be a Python programmer.

This Book Is Perfect For
• Total beginners with zero programming experience
• Junior developers who know one or two languages
• Returning professionals who haven’t written code in years
• Seasoned professionals looking for a fast, simple, crash course in Python 3

C# in Depth by Jon Skeet

C# has changed significantly since it was first introduced. With the many upgraded features, C# is more expressive than ever. However, an in depth understanding is required to get the most out of the language.

C# in Depth, Second Edition is a thoroughly revised, up-to-date book that covers the new features of C# 4 as well as Code Contracts. In it, you’ll see the subtleties of C# programming in action, learning how to work with high-value features that you’ll be glad to have in your toolkit. The book helps readers avoid hidden pitfalls of C# programming by understanding “behind the scenes” issues.

Practical C Programming: Why Does 2+2 = 5986? By Steve Oualline

C programming is more than just getting the syntax right. Style and debugging also play a tremendous part in creating programs that run well and are easy to maintain. This book teaches you not only the mechanics of programming, but also describes how to create programs that are easy to read, debug, and update.

Contrary to popular belief, most programmers do not spend most of their time creating code. Most of their time is spent modifying someone else’s code. This books shows you how to avoid the all-too-common obfuscated uses of C and thereby leaving the code that the programmer is responsible for maintenance where they does not have to struggle with. This third edition introduces popular Integrated Development Environments on Windows systems, as well as UNIX programming utilities, and features a large statistics-generating program to pull together the concepts and features in the language.

Introduction to Algorithms by Thomas H. Cormen / Charles E. Leiserson / Ronald L. Rivest / Clifford Stein

This title covers a broad range of algorithms in depth, yet makes their design and analysis accessible to all levels of readers. Each chapter is relatively self-contained and can be used as a unit of study. The algorithms are described in English and in a pseudo-code designed to be readable by anyone who has done a little programming. The explanations have been kept elementary without sacrificing depth of coverage or mathematical rigor.

The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas

The authors Andrew Hunt and David Thomas laid down their thoughts on the paper about the increasing specialization and technicalities of modern software development.

They examined the core process of how to write maintainable codes that will leave the users delighted. Simply put, the information in the book allows you to program in a way you can understand.While many coding books can help you how to learn to talk in a certain programming language – it is the only thing that a programmer does. It is quite a deeper issue.

Programmers are craftspeople who are taught to use certain tools to generate certain codes that will appear in a program. In this book, the authors tell the story of many truths that they discovered during their respective careers.

The book covers topics like an approach to software design and construction that allows profitable, efficient development of high-quality products.

The approach in the books is divided into groups of specification development, customer relations, team management, design practices, development tools, and testing procedures. In the book, you might also find the related jokes and technical problems that will help to understand the information even better.

Absolute Beginner’s Guide to C by Greg Perry.

The book is exactly what the title says about it – an ultimate beginner guide to understanding C coding language. In this book of computer coding for beginners, you can find an excellent introduction to the C programming language.
By reading this book you will cover all the aspects of the language, C notation, and basic C syntax. The book gives a very good basic understanding so you could have a much more comprehensive understanding of how to get things done in C.
For beginners, this is one of those coding books that probably answer all the questions along the way. You will learn how to write programs successfully on your own and the guidance of the authors of this book will give you good explanations and examples to help along the way.
Although by reading this book you will not become a programmer instantly, it will introduce you to how things are structured and will prepare you for more advanced material.

Ruby Programming Master’s Handbook: A True Beginner’s Guide by Code Well Academy

It gives a pretty good overview of Ruby programming language to beginners. Ranked of one of the top five coding books on Ruby, Master’s Handbook is a great way to get on track and start learning. You will find much information that will help to understand many important keynotes of the language and by the end of every chapter, there will be a comprehensive overview that will help memorize the important stuff even more.
The detailed manner of the book is perfect to be ready to code the next greatest web application.

Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science by John Zelle

Although the name of the book says Python Programming, it is a very good book on understanding how the art of programming works in general. The author of the book, John Zelle, compiled the necessary information for beginners to understand what computer science is while keeping it in the context of programming.
In the book, you will find information on how codes work without reading too much theory. The writer took good care that the reader would understanding Python through the practical side.
After every chapter, some tests will make you think and revise the material that you read before so you could memorize and understand the process even more.
Unlike other coding books, An Introduction to Computer Science does not assume you understand some of the things about Python. It explains every single step along the way so the reader would not help lost.

The Joy of PHP: A Beginner’s Guide to Programming Interactive Web Applications with PHP and MySQL by Alan Forbes

If you are looking for some serious information sources on how to create your website or create browser applications you might found what you were looking for. The Joy of PHP is a book written by Alan Forbes for people who want to learn PHP and MySQL and have fun while doing it.
The book begins by explaining basic HTML stuff that any kind of beginner could catch up. As you progress reading the book, step by step you will understand how PHP works.

Android Application Development All-in-One for Dummies

This comprehensive guide is written to get you started developing Android apps. It goes over the key programming concepts you need to do things like program phone features, build and refine your apps, manage data, use the Android native development kit, and more.

Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship

With case studies and examples in Java, this programming book challenges you to make your code as clean as possible, and explains the principles and best practices you can use to accomplish that.

Think Like a Programmer: An Introduction to Creative Problem Solving

Programming is more than memorizing principles of coding languages; it’s learning to think outside the box and solve problems creatively. That’s the focus of this coding book, which goes over one programming concept in each chapter. Along the way, it gives open-ended exercises for you to try yourself and implement what you’ve learned. While you can apply what you’ve learned in any language, examples are in C++.

An finally, the best part of any programming books does not rely on its content, it relies on the readers who implement it in their study process.