Books on software development and object-oriented programming

Here is a list of books that I find valuable and recommend for other developers. Although they're not specifically about Flash, they are significant for applying the concepts to Flash development - especially for those who are interested in object-oriented programming, software design, UML and design patterns.

Introduction to OOP

Teach Yourself Object Oriented Programming in 21 Days (Second Edition)
by Anthony Sintes
Sams 0-672-32109-2

- Don't judge a book by its title, this is a surprisingly good book with examples in Java; covers OOA, OOD, design patterns, listeners...etc. Highly recommended

Software design and Design Patterns

Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software
by Gamma, Helm, Johnson and Vlissides
Addison-Wesley 0-201-63361-2

- The bible on design patterns by the Gang of Four (examples in C++ and Smalltalk)

Design Patterns Explained: A New Perspective on Object-Oriented Design
by Alan Shalloway & James R. Trott
Addison-Wesley 0-201-71594-5

- Great book on design patterns, more approachable than the GoF book above (examples in Java and C++); highly recommended

Pattern-Oriented Software Architecture - A System of Patterns (Volume 1)
by Buschmann, Meunier, Rohnert, Sommerlad, Stal
Wiley 0-471-95869-7

Core J2EE Patterns - Best Practices and Design Strategies
by Alur, Crupi, Malks
Prentice Hall 0-13-064884-1

Pattern Hatching
by John Vlissides
Addison-Wesley 0-201-43293-5

- Another good book on design patterns by one of the GoF authors; works well with the GoF book

Applying UML and Patterns: An Introduction to Object-Oriented Analysis and Design and the Unified Process
by Craig Larman
Prentice Hall 0-13-092569-1

- Good textbook on OOA & OOD

Effective Java: Programming Language Guide
by Joshua Bloch
Addison-Wesley 0-201-31005-8

- Excellent book on Java programming and design patterns; highly recommended - even for non-Java programmers

Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code
by Martin Fowler
Addison-Wesley 0-201-48567-2

- Another excellent book on patterns and refractoring; highly recommended

 

Other books:

Object-Oriented Software Construction (Second Edition)
by Bertrand Meyer

The Object Primer (Second Edition)
by Scott Ambler

An Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming (Third Edition)
by Timothy Budd

Java - How to Program (Fourth Edition)
by Deitel & Deitel

Thinking in Java (Second Edition) - download free edition here.
by Bruce Eckel

JavaScript: The Definitive Guide (Fourth Edition)
by David Flanagan

Professional JavaScript (Second Edition)
by Wrox team

C# Essentials (Second Edition)
by Ben Albahari, Peter Drayton and Brad Merrill

C# Unleashed
by Joseph Mayo

Highly recommended Flash / ActionScript books (alphabetically):

ActionScript for Flash MX: The Definitive Guide (second edition)
by Colin Moock
O'Reilly

Flash MX for Interactive Simulation
by Jonathan Kaye and David Castillo
Thomson / Delmar Learning

Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX
by Kevin Towes
New Riders / Macromedia Press

Macromedia Flash MX Game Design Demystified
by Jobe Makar
Macromedia Press / Peachpit Press

Object-Oriented Programming with ActionScript
by Branden Hall and Samuel Wan
New Riders

Robert Penner's Programming Macromedia Flash MX
by Robert Penner
McGraw-Hill Osborne

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Last updated on: July 16, 2003 - Copyright © 2002 Dave Yang / Quantumwave Interactive Inc.