This is one of the best books I've ever read on being a "Professional Programmer." My two favorite parts of the books are the "Goals" section in Chapter 1, and the final paragraph of the book.
Goals
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* Learn at least one new language every year.
* Read a technical book each quarter.
* Read nontechnical books, too.
* Take classes (or go to trade shows)
* Participate in local user groups.
* Experiment with different environments.
* Stay current. (Read magazines / journals)
* Get Wired. (RSS Feeds, News Groups)
The final paragraph sums up what the book is all about:
We want to see pride of ownership. "I wrote this, and I stand behind my work." Your signature should come to be recognized as an indicator of quality. People should see your name on a piece of code and expect it to be solid, well written, tested, and documented. A really professional job. Written by a real professional. A Pragmatic Programmer.
