Widely considered one of the best practical guides to programming, Steve McConnell's original CODE COMPLETE has been helping developers write better software for more than a decade. Now this classic book has been fully updated and revised with leading-edge practices-and hundreds of new code samples-illustrating the art and science of software construction. Capturing the body of knowledge available from research, academia, and everyday commercial practice, McConnell synthesizes the most effective techniques and must-know principles into clear, pragmatic guidance. No matter what your experience level, development environment, or project size, this book will inform and stimulate your thinking-and help you build the highest quality code. Discover the timeless techniques and strategies that help you: • Design for minimum complexity and maximum creativity • Reap the benefits of collaborative development • Apply defensive programming techniques to reduce and flush out errors • Exploit opportunities to refactor-or evolve-code, and do it safely • Use construction practices that are right-weight for your project • Debug problems quickly and effectively • Resolve critical construction issues early and correctly • Build quality into the beginning, middle, and end of your project