# book review Published articles for book review. This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## Book Review - Just Use Postgres! DevFeed: [Book Review - Just Use Postgres!]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: vladmihalcea Published: 2025-11-24T09:00:34Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Vlad Mihalcea]() Topics: [PostgreSQL](), [Databases](), [SQL](), [integrity](), [JSON](), [Time Series](), [Transactions](), [Embeddings](), [genai]() Tags: [book](), [book-review](), [embeddings](), [genai](), [integrity](), [json](), [postgres](), [postgresql](), [sql](), [time-series](), [transactions]() ### AI overview A review of Denis Magda's book Just Use Postgres!, describing its audience, structure, and coverage of PostgreSQL querying, data integrity, transactions, indexes, JSON, full-text search, extensions, embeddings, and time-series workloads. ### Source excerpt Introduction My friend, Denis Magda, wrote a wonderful book called Just Use Postgres!, and I'm glad that I got the chance to read it. Audience This book is useful for any software developer who's either using PostgreSQL or plans on using it because it covers a lot of features that are very useful for modern applications. No matter your level of seniority, you are definitely going to learn from Denis' book. Content Just Use Postgres! has 402 pages, 3 parts, and 11 chapters. The first part is an introduction to PostgreSQL and... Read More The post Book Review - Just Use Postgres! appeared first on Vlad Mihalcea. ## Book Review - Troubleshooting Java DevFeed: [Book Review - Troubleshooting Java]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: vladmihalcea Published: 2025-10-15T08:28:01Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Vlad Mihalcea]() Topics: [Java](), [debugging](), [Optimization](), [ide](), [Logging](), [Query (disambiguation)](), [Databases]() Tags: [book](), [book-review](), [code-analysis](), [debugger](), [debugging](), [developer](), [ide](), [java](), [logging](), [optimization](), [performance](), [performance-tuning](), [review](), [sql](), [troubleshooting]() ### AI overview A review of the second edition of Troubleshooting Java by Laurentiu Spilca. The book covers code analysis, logging, debugging, profiling, SQL query investigation, lock monitoring, and deadlock troubleshooting for Java developers. ### Source excerpt Introduction My friend, Laurentiu Spilca, has been working on the second edition of his Troubleshooting Java book, and when I was asked to review it, I was more than happy to do it since the book features a lot of topics that I'm also very interested in, such as performance tuning and query optimization. Audience This book is useful for any Java developer because it teaches you how to get the best out of your IDE debugger, as well as showing you how to profile Java applications and fix very complex issues,... Read More The post Book Review - Troubleshooting Java appeared first on Vlad Mihalcea. ## John von Neumann - The Man from the Future DevFeed: [John von Neumann - The Man from the Future]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Henrik Warne Published: 2024-07-07T10:40:15Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Henrik Warne]() Topics: [math](), [data]() Tags: [architecture](), [book](), [book-review](), [history](), [learning](), [math](), [mathematics](), [science]() ### AI overview A review of Ananyo Bhattacharya's biography The Man from the Future, describing John von Neumann's influence on twentieth-century science and discussing the von Neumann computer architecture and a mathematical train-and-fly problem. ### Source excerpt Before I read The Man from the Future by Ananyo Bhattacharya, I only knew about John von Neumann in two contexts: that computers use the von Neumann architecture, and that he appeared in a story about a mathematical problem I ... Continue reading -> ## Book review: Developing IoT Projects with ESP32 (2nd Edition) DevFeed: [Book review: Developing IoT Projects with ESP32 (2nd Edition)]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: John Lee Published: 2024-01-29T00:00:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Blog on Developer Portal]() Topics: [ESP32](), [Internet of things](), [ESP-IDF](), [C++](), [Machine learning]() Tags: [ai](), [blog](), [book-review](), [books](), [c-plus-plus](), [developers](), [esp-idf](), [esp32](), [guide](), [iot](), [review]() ### AI overview A review of the second edition of Developing IoT Projects with ESP32 by Vedat Ozan Oner. The book provides a step-by-step guide to ESP32 and ESP-IDF development for C++ developers, covering IoT fundamentals, security, OTA updates, smart home solutions, machine learning, and practical projects. ### Source excerpt "Developing IoT Projects with ESP32" by Vedat Ozan Oner serves as a key guide, especially in its second edition, which has been thoughtfully updated to reflect the latest trends in IoT development. Targeted at C++ developers who want to create powerful applications using the ESP-IDF. The book explains step by step the complexities of IoT development with the ESP32. Vedat Ozan Oner, the author, is recognized for his passion for IoT, ability of making tricky topics easy to understand. ## Fire Doesn't Innovate by Kip Boyle (Book Review) DevFeed: [Fire Doesn't Innovate by Kip Boyle (Book Review)]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Adam Published: 2019-02-04T00:00:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Shostack & Friends Blog]() Topics: [Cybersecurity](), [Security](), [Threat Research]() Tags: [book](), [book-review](), [cybersecurity](), [nist](), [review]() ### AI overview This review examines Kip Boyle's book "Fire Doesn't Innovate," which presents cybersecurity risks and practical guidance for business executives. The book emphasizes basic cyber hygiene, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and an annual cycle of assessing, planning, and executing security improvements. ### Source excerpt An unexpected book review. ## A Philosophy of Software Design DevFeed: [A Philosophy of Software Design]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2018-10-18T10:07:35Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Bert Hubert's writings]() Topics: [Software Engineering](), [Programming](), [Architecture & Design](), [Software]() Tags: [book-review](), [books](), [code-comments](), [complexity](), [kernel](), [philosophy](), [programming](), [software-design](), [software-development]() ### AI overview A review of John Ousterhout's book A Philosophy of Software Design, which distills decades of programming and language-development experience into practical ideas for managing software complexity. The review highlights concepts such as shallow and deep methods, information leakage, error prevention, and the role of source-code comments. ### Source excerpt John Ousterhout, of TCL fame, has written a book that is as small (literally) as it is important. Weighing in at 178 none too big pages, it takes us on an inspired trip through what John has learned over the decades. There is no shortage of thought on programming. There is also no shortage of people doing programming. What is rare however is a compendium of mature insights from someone that clearly still is into programming. ## Book review: Introduction to Computer Science Using Python (by Charles Dierbach) DevFeed: [Book review: Introduction to Computer Science Using Python (by Charles Dierbach)]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Guido van Rossum (noreply@blogger.com) Published: 2013-10-28T20:56:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Guido van Rossum]() Topics: [Python](), [Computer science](), [Programming](), [Graphics](), [Simulation]() Tags: [book](), [book-review](), [charts](), [computer-science](), [examples](), [graphics](), [programming](), [python](), [review](), [screenshots](), [simulation]() ### AI overview A review of Charles Dierbach's college-level textbook Introduction to Computer Science Using Python: A Computational Problem-Solving Focus. The reviewer describes its beginner-friendly approach, emphasis on computational problem solving, broad computer science coverage, exercises, examples, and practical Python material including IDLE and turtle graphics. ### Source excerpt After much back and forth I received a nice new Python book in the mail. The book's full title is "Introduction to Computer Science Using Python: A Computational Problem-Solving Focus", and its author is a very experienced educator, Charles Dierbach. This is not your average Python book -- it is a college text intended for first-semester CS courses that happens to use Python. As such, in assumes absolutely no previous programming experience, and it looks like any previous computer experience is optional. Not only that, but the book starts with a step-by-step introduction to the art of computational problem solving. This is an idea that goes well beyond hacking together a website! The book is incredibly thorough: there are exercises throughout the text (not just at the end of each chapter), and it includes a plethora of examples, screenshots, tables, charts, diagrams, and photos. (Yes, my picture is in there -- so are Alan Turing, JFK, and K&R. :-) The author is not afraid of taking a stance; for example, he omits the 'break' and 'continue' statement because they do not fit within the paradigm of structured programming. This actually fits with the general goal of the book, which is to give an overview of many areas of computer science without getting too deep into the minutiae of any topic. I love the final chapter, which is an overview of the history of computing, starting with Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace. At the same time, the book gives plenty of useful practical information, such as instructions for using IDLE and an extensive explanation of turtle graphics, culminating in a horse race simulation. (The author's Baltimore roots seem to show through here. :-) All in all, I think this book is a great text for anyone teaching CS1 or interested in familiarizing themselves with computer science through serious self-study. ## A Comparison of Microsoft, Java, and Python Community Cultures DevFeed: [A Comparison of Microsoft, Java, and Python Community Cultures]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Guido van Rossum (noreply@blogger.com) Published: 2009-07-21T18:50:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Guido van Rossum]() Topics: [Java](), [Microsoft](), [Python](), [Open Source]() Tags: [book-review](), [java](), [microsoft](), [open-source](), [politics](), [python]() ### AI overview An opinion piece compares perceived Microsoft, Java, and Python community cultures using George Lakoff's strict-father and nurturing-family political models. It also speculates about Oracle, Sun, Linus Torvalds, and Richard Stallman. ### Source excerpt [Warning: loose thoughts ahead!] Microsoft's Eric Meijer gave a talk at Google yesterday, and afterwards I had lunch with him. One of his remarks was (I paraphrase) that Microsoft users want to be told what to do, while the Java community is more vocal or argumentative. (He didn't discuss the Python community but in my experience it falls in the latter category.) Now, while lying sick in bed with a hacking cough, I am reading George Lakoff's "The Political Mind". This book tries to model the distinction between conservative and progressive politics on the differences between two different ideal family models: the strict father (from which most conservative moral virtues flow according to Lakoff), and the nurturing family, from which the progressive moral virtues derived. The parallel with Microsoft users vs. Java users seems to be all too obvious: Microsoft as the strict father: If you are loyal you will be rewarded, but if you stray you will be punished; whereas in the Java (or Python) community benefits and moral goodness flow from helping each other (which includes sharing open source software, and, apparently, bikeshedding :-). What about other companies and communities? I can't help thinking of Oracle as the ultimate strict-father company, which makes me worry about the Sun takeover. Are Linus Torvalds and Richard Stallman strict fathers? ## Review of IronPython in Action and Its Focus on Windows Programming DevFeed: [Review of IronPython in Action and Its Focus on Windows Programming]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Guido van Rossum (noreply@blogger.com) Published: 2009-06-26T19:05:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Guido van Rossum]() Topics: [Python](), [.NET](), [C#](), [Programming](), [Development]() Tags: [book-review](), [c-sharp](), [net](), [programming](), [python](), [software](), [windows]() ### AI overview This opinion article reviews IronPython in Action by Michael Foord and Christian Muirhead. It praises the book's breadth, useful information, and running examples, while noting that IronPython developers working on .NET need familiarity with C# because of platform limitations and APIs designed for C#. ### Source excerpt While CPython still rules on python-dev, especially with the excitement around Py3k, Python's alternative implementations are growing up: PyPy is now capable of running Django, Jython just released version 2.5, and IronPython has been releasing significant milestones like clockwork. I get a lot of satisfaction out of such milestones: they help establish Python as a language you can't ignore, no matter which platform you are using. Seeing a book like IronPython in Action, by Michael Foord and Christian Muirhead, is another milestone for IronPython. This is a solid work in every aspect, and something nobody using IronPython on .NET should be without. The book is chock full of useful information, presented along with a series of running examples, and covers almost every aspect of IronPython use imaginable. After reading the table of contents and the introduction by IronPython's creator Jim Hugunin, I couldn't help myself and skipped straight to appendix A, "A whirlwind tour of C#." This is a useful thing to have around for readers like myself who haven't really kept track of things in the .NET world. Maybe I'll comment more on C# another time. For now, let me just say that it seems a decent enough system programming language. The more relevant thing about C# is that you can't avoid learning it if you are developing on .NET, even when using IronPython. There just are too many issues where IronPython has to work around a limitation of C#. This happens often indirectly where a particular API was designed purely with C# in mind. And then there's the issue that Microsoft's API documentation focus on C#. (And VB.NET, I suppose, which after seeing some samples of in this book I have less desire to know than ever.) There are some introductory chapters -- some fluff about .NET and the CLR, an introduction to Python, and an introduction to with .NET objects from IronPython. The Python introduction has a slight emphasis on differences between IronPython and CPython, though there ## Review of Using Google App Engine by Charles Severance DevFeed: [Review of Using Google App Engine by Charles Severance]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Guido van Rossum (noreply@blogger.com) Published: 2009-06-15T16:20:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Guido van Rossum]() Topics: [Web Development](), [Programming](), [Python](), [JavaScript](), [CSS](), [HTML](), [Caching](), [Ajax]() Tags: [ajax](), [appengine](), [book](), [book-review](), [caching](), [css](), [google](), [html](), [javascript](), [python](), [web]() ### AI overview A review of Charles Severance's book Using Google App Engine, describing it as an introductory resource for web programming and App Engine. The book covers enough HTML, CSS, Python, and JavaScript to help beginners create dynamic websites, including datastore models, forms, simple AJAX patterns, caching, and debugging, while directing readers to other resources for deeper study. ### Source excerpt At Google I/O I received a copy of Using Google App Engine by Charles Severance, published by O'Reilly. I haven't kept track, but this appears one of the first App Engine books to actually hit the stores -- an Amazon search for App Engine showed up one other book (Developing with Google App Engine by Eugene Ciara, published by APress) and many titles available for pre-order (including additional titles from the same publishers). Severance's book is a quick read if you're already familiar with the basic premises of web programming. I think it would do well in an introductory course about the topic. (The author teaches at the University of Michigan so this is likely how he developed the material in the first place.) In fact, quite a bit of the book could well have come from a pre-existing earlier course: the chapters on HTML, CSS, Python and JavaScript barely mention App Engine. Don't get me wrong, I think that's a good approach: in my experience quite a few App Engine users are new to web programming in general, or could at least use a refresher course. If you don't fall in this category, don't feel offended: you just probably aren't the intended audience for this book. On the other hand, if you've developed for the web but haven't used Python before, you could probably just skip the HTML/CSS chapter and dive right into Python and App Engine. If you're a blank sheet where it comes to programming, don't expect to come out an experienced Python developer: the book only covers enough of the language so you can get started with App Engine without feeling you're just copying and pasting text. The same is actually true for any topic covered -- in many cases the book actually recommends that you study a topic more in-depth using other resources. But in each case the book's coverage is enough to get you started with the creation of dynamic web sites, and that's the important part. After all, you didn't learn your mother tongue by studying the rules of grammar either: you lea ## Comparing Two Python Programming Books for Beginners DevFeed: [Comparing Two Python Programming Books for Beginners]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Guido van Rossum (noreply@blogger.com) Published: 2009-05-26T22:46:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Guido van Rossum]() Topics: [Python](), [Programming](), [Computer science](), [Learning]() Tags: [beginners](), [book-review](), [books](), [compare](), [experiments](), [gotchas](), [projects](), [python](), [review](), [teaching](), [tests]() ### AI overview The article compares Hello World and Practical Programming, two books that teach Python to people without prior programming experience. It argues that the books target different audiences: Hello World is aimed at children and uses an accessible, illustrated style, while Practical Programming takes a more mature, computer-science-oriented approach. ### Source excerpt There's never a lack of books to use for learning Python. I occasionally receive books for review, but I don't have a particularly good yardstick to judge such books by: I find that they all contain some factual errors and some oddities of presentation, but I have no idea whether those matter for the readers. Even Knuth's books are full of errors: for example the errata for Vol. 1 (2nd ed.) are a staggering 80 pages, but I doubt anybody besides Knuth himself is bothered by this knowledge. Recently I got a review copy of "Hello World", and a colleague kindly lent me his copy of "Practical Programming". I think it's interesting to compare the two a bit, since they both claim to be teaching Python programming to people who haven't programmed before. And yet their audiences are totally different! "Hello World", published by Manning, is written by Warren Sande and his son Carter. The subtitle is "Computer programming for kids and other beginners", but I think if you're not a kid any more you might get annoyed by the rather popular writing style. If you are a kid, well, you will probably enjoy a book written with you in mind, and you will learn plenty. The only prerequisites are reading and typing skills, a computer that wasn't built in the stone age, and a desire to learn more about what goes on inside that computer. The book uses short chapters with lots of illustrations, often cartoons and jokes. There are lots of opportunities to try out the material and learn that way. Each chapter ends with a review section, some tests, and more experiments to try. The book pays plenty of attention to typical "gotchas", so that if you get stuck at some point, there probably is help nearby to get you unstuck. "Practical Programming" is written by Jennifer Campbell, Paul Gries, Jason Montojo, and Greg Wilson. This a team composed of three university professors and a former student of theirs. Their purported goal is to teach Computer Science (with Capital Letters), and Python is merely