All software developers have to start somewhere. Luckily, the internet provides a wealth of information for developers at any level of skill and experience. But our world is one that’s inundated with information, so it’s incredibly hard to know where to start. Recommendation lists online can often include more resources than you can even make use of, leaving readers unable to discern what's useful for them and what isn't.

Here, we’ve put together a shortlist of a few of the best software engineering blogs, books, and podcasts that you can use to hone your skills or even learn in an entertaining way. Check them out below!

 

The best blogs, books, and podcasts for software engineers

Best software engineering blogs

Blogs are one of the most convenient, plentiful, and accessible resources on the web – they’re only a click away, after all. There’s also a ton out there, making it an uphill battle to sort through everything to find that one hidden gem.

Here are just a few you can take a look at.

The Pragmatic Engineer

Also the writer of the Pragmatic Engineer newsletter, software engineer and author Gergely Orosz uses this blog to discuss all kinds of topics in software, from technical to industry-related. You’ll find book recommendations, advice, and commentary on the software industry here.

Security Weekly

We’re serious about cybersecurity at Rare Crew, so naturally a security-focused blog would be near the top of our recommendations. From tips and advice to trends in cyber crime, this blog is a great way to sharpen your security skills.

Udemy

Udemy is well-known for its plethora of coding and other software-related courses, but did you know they also have a blog? With categories like IT & software, design, development, data science, and even soft skills like management, there’s a huge variety of things to learn.

 

Best software engineering books

Great for when you want to go super in-depth into a topic, books let you dive into a detailed exploration of new concepts and ways of thinking. It’s hard to think of any blogs that have had as big of an impact on the world as some books have.

A Philosophy of Software Design by John Ousterhout

Compact and readable, A Philosophy of Software Design is a good complement to Clean Code, which we recommended in a previous article. Rather than philosophy, it’s closer to advice on good practices, specifically when it comes to complexity in code – and reducing it.

Pro Git

Git is a software that will be familiar to any developer out there, so it likely needs little introduction. If you’re looking to learn more about Git and master its features, there’s no better place to go than Pro Git. Another bonus: like Git itself, Pro Git is open source, meaning it’s entirely free to read online. Find it here.

Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time by Jeff Sutherland

Scrum is an incredibly widespread agile methodology used not just for tech but for projects across all industries. You may have heard of it, you may even be using it in your projects yourself, but do you know how to make the most of its strengths? Written by one of the co-creators of scrum, this book is a popular guide to all things scrum.

Alternatively, the Scrum Guide, also written by the developers who codified scrum as we know it today, is available online for free.

The DevOps Handbook by Gene Kim, Jez Humble, Patrick Debois, and John Willis

Another book dedicated to Agile methodology, The DevOps Handbook contains everything you need to know about DevOps. If you’re already a DevOps pro then you might not find much you don’t already know in this book, but if you’re looking to start or expand your knowledge, the DevOps Handbook could be your start.

 

Best software engineering podcasts

Podcasts can be an incredibly engaging way to learn new things, with an absolutely massive variety of topics and shows available online or on your favorite streaming platform. Perhaps the biggest bonus is that you can also listen while doing other things – during a commute, or maybe while walking the dog. Also, if you enjoy a more casual or discussion-style format, podcasts could definitely be the way to go.

Wireframe

Published by Adobe XD, Wireframe is a podcast about design, whether that be UI/UX, graphic design, or simply design in general. It tackles topics such as whether tech UX is failing the elderly, the role of design in AR technology, the ethics of addictive UI design, and more.

Test & Code

Test & Code is a weekly podcast covering the topics of software development and testing. It has a focus on Python, although around half of their topics are language agnostic. Episodes vary in length from around 15 minutes to an hour, so there’s something for you whether you want a quick listen or you’re in it for the long haul.

Software Engineering Radio

Software Engineering Radio calls itself the “authority on translating software theory into practice” and partners with a variety of industry professionals to bring their knowledge to the table. With over 500 episodes available, you’re bound to find something that strikes your fancy.

These recommendations are by no means exhaustive, so we’d recommend using these as a jumping off point to find the resources that work for you.

And in the meantime, why not give them a read/listen and see what you can learn?

 

We’re always learning

Our teams at Rare Crew are talented professionals who are passionate about what they do. As a Microsoft gold partner, we always like to be ahead of the game. Plus, we’re always growing alongside our clients – learning new technology when necessary and counting every project as valuable experience.

Read on: Rare Crew’s Tech-Savvy Software Development Services Grab GoodFirms’ Attention.

If our team sounds like it might be the right place for you, just get in touch at jobs@rarecrew.com.