5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and engaging

W.Y.D. · 26 April 2019

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } There have been some comments about the thickness of paper of this book. I was already aware of the fact due to Fowler mentioning it on an announcement post he made about the second edition. The thinness of the pages was still surprising, and as a result I’ve ended up treating the book more ‘delicately’ than I would have otherwise, which in a way added to the ‘specialness’ of this book.The content of this book is second to none - it’s a goldmine of useful techniques to help keep code in the best shape possible. Fowler goes into excruciating detail with regard to the steps taken for each refactoring. I found the reinforcement of ‘smaller steps’ incredibly useful when applying the techniques on my own later - I moved incrementally with the confidence of knowing which exact step in the process may have triggered a test failure.On the subject of testing, the book hammers home it’s importance in being able to actually refactor, which I can only see as a good thing.While the language of choice for the second edition is JavaScript, Fowler explains that the book is not focused on the language itself, rather it uses it as a vehicle to communicate the refactoring to a wider audience (the JavaScript used in the book is fairly simple and easy to follow). The fact that much of the software world is writing or making use of JavaScript in some way possibly makes this book more consumable by more people, perhaps as a result it can be used to introduce new ways of thinking about software to those not previously exposed to the type of knowledge and approach exposed in this book.Returning to the topic of physical quality, the book is hardbacked, the pages are printed with some colour (rare for a programming book), in addition to having a ribbon in the spine. These attributes only add to the positive experience of reading this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book

G.B. · 6 January 2025

Great book. Very informative and helpful.

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless content impeccably printed

C. · 30 November 2024

4.0 out of 5 stars A welcome revision to a classic software development book

J.C. · 16 January 2019

I was a mere junior developer when the first edition came out, and remember it having a profound effect on my approach to software development at the time. I was a bit unsure whether the book needed a revamp, as the original still holds up well, but Martin Fowler has done an excellent job of this new revision: ditching the use of Java for lowest common denominator JavaScript (the language choice is pretty much immaterial anyway), reworking the examples and refactorings, and generally building on the experience of the last twenty years. All with Martin's great style and humour.My only gripe is that book looked half the size of the original! This isn't due to an extensive refactoring, but the rather thin, poor quality paper. "Bible paper" as one colleague quipped when they saw it. The thin pages are easily creased or torn, and the ink from the other side of each page shows through slightly. Very disappointing to see this with an Addison Wesley book, especially given the price and the fact the hard cover is the usual robust and high quality binding. I've deducted a star for this, although I nearly deducted two!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book with useful additions compared to the first edition!

L. · 29 July 2020

This book has been the very pillar upon which my master's thesis is built. Fowler has a very down-to-earth way of writing, making this book more like learning from a colleague than reading some tedious academic tome. Essential reading for any serious software developer!I did notice that the book's pages are surprisingly thin so you need to handle them with particular care.

5.0 out of 5 stars So much more to judge than paper quality

J. · 22 February 2021

Omg, forget about the quality of paper. The information is essential information for a developer on a journey of cleancode. If you destroy this nook because you've read it too much then well-done. I found this version much more accessible because it's thinner but much more amazingly has coloured printing, which I've found so much better than the original and defines the sections much easier. So much better than a lot of material out there.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book

P. · 20 February 2019

I would advised even the most seasoned software engineer to give this a visit. The examples are great.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book.

C.S. · 25 April 2021

A bit advanced, but great book for life.

Best buy

F.C. · 9 May 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Cercavo qualcosa che mi aiutasse a gestire meglio il processo di destrutturazione del codice, questo libro mi ha aiutato

Excelente libro

R. · 26 January 2023

Muy buen libro, desde las primeras páginas me dio tips para realizar refactor en mis proyectos.

Muy útil

A. · 30 January 2023

Me ha gustado el estilo, es muy ameno y práctico.Todo tiene su lógica y lo estoy aplicando en mi código y en las reviews que hago. Puede que cambie para siempre la forma en la que programo.No puedo dejar de leer y releer. Me ofrece ideas de cómo escribir, probar y revisar código y también propone una nomenclatura para cada tipo de refactor que es un estandar para discutir con otros desarrolladores.

I've received in perfect conditions

A. · 25 May 2025

Perfecto

Well worth having

A.カ. · 6 June 2021

Be careful with the paper, as it’s quite thin. Overjoyed with the contents of the book though, it’s going to serve me well for many years I’m sure.