Even the best developers have seen well-intentioned software projects fail -- often because the customer kept changing requirements, and end users didn't know how to use the software you developed. Instead of surrendering to these common problems, let __Head First Software Development__ guide you through the best practices of software development. Before you know it, those failed projects will be a thing of the past. With its unique visually rich format, this book pulls together the hard lessons learned by expert software developers over the years. You'll gain essential information about each step of the software development lifecycle -- requirements, design, coding, testing, implementing, and maintenance -- and understand why and how different development processes work. This book is for you if you are: * Tired of your customers assuming you're psychic. You'll learn not only how to get good requirements, but how to make sure you're always building the software that customers want (even when they're not sure themselves) * Wondering when the other 15 programmers you need to get your project done on time are going to show up. You'll learn how some very simple scheduling and prioritizing will revolutionize your success rate in developing software. * Confused about being rational, agile, or a tester. You'll learn not only about the various development methodologies out there, but how to choose a solution that's right for your project. * Confused because the way you ran your last project worked so well, but failed miserably this time around. You'll learn how to tackle each project individually, combine lessons you've learned on previous projects with cutting-edge development techniques, and end up with great software on __every__ project. __Head First Software Development__ is here to help you learn in a way that your brain likes... and you'll have a blast along the way. Why pick up hundreds of boring books on the philosophy of this approach or the formal techniques required for that one? Stick with __Head First Software Development__, and your projects will succeed like never before. Go on, get started... you'll learn and have fun. We promise. A lot of good people have screwed up a lot of well intentioned software -- you already know you don't want to be one of them. Head First Software Development pulls together years of software development experience to give you the hard lessons learned by people who have written software before you (or have tried really, really hard to). Are you: Tired of your clients hoping you're psychic? Read about finding and capturing requirements so you build the right software the first time. Finding code in your system that makes you wonder if the developer actually did have a million monkeys? Read about coding standards, code reviews, and how to protect yourself from your zoo-keeping coworker with test-driven development techniques. Wondering when your boss is going to hire the other 30 people she'll need to actually complete all of the work? Read about how to improve your estimating and scheduling skills and make yourself feared because of your command of metrics. Tired of reading hype about how "Uber Programming" saved a team of two people on a 3-month project? Read about how to tailor a process that solves your problems, on big projects or small ones. Ready to build the right software the first time, be confident that it works, lead a team of talented people to success, and still have time for a hot mocha on your way home? Read Head First Software Development. We believe there isn't one process to fit every organization. Instead, we take the ideas that work from different processes like iterative development, design patterns, and risk driven scheduling, and help you understand why they work and what they could do for you. Best of all, Head First Software Development puts this information into your brain in a way that sticks. If you've never read a Head First book before, there's nothing like it -- great visuals, good stories, and hands-on exercises to let you get comfortable with the techniques. There are a lot of boring books on the philosophy of software; this isn't one of them. Expect to get dirty. Expect to be shocked. Expect to learn. - Publisher Provides information on successful software development, covering such topics as customer requirements, task estimates, principles of good design, dealing with source code, system testing, and handling bugs
