“One definition of pearl is something “very choice or
precious.” Like the programming pearls it describes, Bentley’s
collection of essays has itself transcended the ordinary to achieve
pearl status.“
“Originally published in Bentley’s “Programming Pearls” column
in Communications of the ACM, these fascinating essays were
collected and revised in book form in 1986. Now revised 14 years
later, this material has definitely stood the test of time. The
first edition remains #2 on McConnell’s Code Complete Reading List,
and is listed favourably in an article on Great Books in Computer
Science.”
“It was directly because of McConnell’s Code Complete reading
list that I, a few years ago, purchased and read Programming Pearls
and its sequel, More Programming Pearls. Despite McConnell’s
effusive praise and corroboration from a colleague, I was not fully
prepared for the experience.”