• Understanding Software

  • Max Kanat-Alexander on Simplicity, Coding, and How to Suck Less as a Programmer
  • By: Max Kanat-Alexander
  • Narrated by: Steve Menasche
  • Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (112 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
Understanding Software  By  cover art

Understanding Software

By: Max Kanat-Alexander
Narrated by: Steve Menasche
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.19

Buy for $17.19

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

In Understanding Software, Max Kanat-Alexander, Technical Lead for Code Health at Google, shows you how to bring simplicity back to computer programming. Max explains to you why programmers suck, and how to suck less as a programmer. There's just too much complex stuff in the world. Complex stuff can't be used, and it breaks too easily. Complexity is stupid. Simplicity is smart.

Understanding Software covers many areas of programming, from how to write simple code to profound insights into programming, and then how to suck less at what you do! You'll discover the problems with software complexity, the root of its causes, and how to use simplicity to create great software. You'll examine debugging like you've never done before, and how to get a handle on being happy while working in teams.

Max brings a selection of carefully crafted essays, thoughts, and advice about working and succeeding in the software industry, from his legendary blog Code Simplicity. Max has crafted forty-three essays which have the power to help you avoid complexity and embrace simplicity, so you can be a happier and more successful developer.

©2017 Packt Publishing (P)2019 Gildan Media

Featured Article: The Best Audiobooks and Podcasts for Programmers


If you’re looking for the best audiobooks and podcasts about programming, you might be a programmer looking for resources and new perspectives to expand your knowledge. Or maybe you’re a newcomer still wondering if it's even possible to learn how to program from a book. Whether you’re brand new to programming or you’ve been fluent in Python, Java, C#, and the like for years, there are tons of great audio resources available to help you hone your skills.

What listeners say about Understanding Software

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    65
  • 4 Stars
    28
  • 3 Stars
    14
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    55
  • 4 Stars
    25
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    53
  • 4 Stars
    20
  • 3 Stars
    12
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great insight!

Great insight for both the beginner and experienced developers in order to bring about positive change.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

It is alright

Max has some great points when it comes to the construction of software. However I was expecting more to get out of the ebook and some topics were just presented at a high level at best

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

The content is awesome. Some content is targeted at more senior software engineers, but I would recommend every programmer read this book. [Minor] The narrator is too artistic I think.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Standard platitudes we’ve all heard.

Nothing life changing here. Common sense rules any experienced dev should of heard 1000 times. May be good for new devs but simply a good reminder for everyone else.
Sometimes the author comes off as if he is the first to have these thoughts though.
The narrator spoke very well but his voice gets annoying.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great addition for your collection

Definitely a very good read that offers great advice for software developers of all levels of experience. Highly recommended!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I want more books like this on audible

There aren't very many software development books on audible, but this is my favorite so far. I started listening a few days ago but couldn't pay attention to the chapters where he described building something the right and wrong ways and I ended up starting it over.

A few bits I liked:
The engineer attitude: I can solve this problem the right way.
Complexity is a prison. Simplicity is freedom.
Refactoring doesn't waste time, it saves it.
Don't stop and try to solve the problem in your mind. Only action leads to understanding.

Narrating code examples doesn't work, so I understand why there aren't many but I'd listen to more like this.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Now, I’m ready

OK great, now I’m ready to become a computer software engineer. I never knew where to start until I read this book. Thank you so much I love it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I loved it

I loved simplicity and calmness! :) this book shold be listened not only by programmers, but by0 managers as well.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome

Easy listen. Great narrator and material. Thanks so much. Highly recommend to everyone even for beginners.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!