If we are to believe statistics, nearly one in every 100 people--at least in the US--is either a programmer or a software specialist. However, despite the huge amount of code that has been written, it is still not apparent if programming is an art, a science, or a craft.

This book takes an unconventional approach to answering this question, by including interviews with 15 famous programmers. It attempts to find out how they learned to program, how they go about practicing their skill, and their views on the future of programming. No particular background is expected from readers, but familiarity with programming will be helpful. The book is divided into 15 chapters, each containing an interview with a renowned programmer.

The book offers interesting insight into the minds of esteemed programmers who have changed the way the world works. There is no doubt that reading this book is almost like meeting these top programmers in person. From the interviews, we learn that a vast majority of the best programmers taught themselves how to program and, also, how to innovate. Seibel sometimes asks his subjects touchy questions, such as “You never got a PhD?” and “These days, is getting a PhD valuable?” Both those who are new to programming and those who are already masters of the craft should read this book. The author also tries to get opinions about the future of programming and the role of programming languages. The views of the experts do not always converge, but there is some agreement, such as the need for writing readable code and the fact that programming is not a solved problem.

Programmers and would-be programmers should carefully read this book for its useful insights into the minds of some of the greatest programmers of our era.