Description: This history of computer programming details what a programmer was, is, and will be in the future world of AI-driven software development. Other books on this subject either focus on just the history of programming, a specific person in history, or just a technical look at programming, but this title breaks programming down into three eras (before 1970, 1970-Today, and the Future of Programming), highlighting important programmers throughout history while weaving in the code that a programmer is looking for in a programming book. In particular, the last section uniquely addresses the death of Moores' law, the flailing of languages, the truth about Quantum Computing and AI, and the need for professionalism and ethics, as the future of programming enters uncharted territories.
Review Quotes:
"I, like Uncle Bob, spent much of my career consulting, teaching, and going to computer conferences. The importance of this is that I got to meet and dine with many of the characters in this book. So this book is about my professional friends, and I can tell you that it is a faithful story. In fact, it is incredibly well-written and researched. That is how it really was."
--From the Afterword by Tom Gilb
"I can't think of any other book that provides such a sweeping overview of the early history of programming."
--Mark Seeman
"We, Programmers is a fascinating romp through the history of computers and programming. Wonderful glimpses into the lives of some of the greats. And an enjoyable ride with Uncle Bob's career as a programmer."
--Jon Kern, co-author of the Agile Manifesto
"In We, Programmers, Bob successfully weaves together a highly entertaining history of programmers, giving us a wealth of historical context, humanizing stories, and eye-opening revelations about the foundational folks in our industry, all bolstered with just the right amount of low-level detail. Bob, being a small piece of this rich history, finds a way to pepper the history with his own relevant observations and critiques. We also get Bob's full story this time out, as well as his own thoughts about what's coming next. A fun, quick read."
--Jeff Langr