This is why it is imperative to build systems that are flexible and can adapt to changing requirements, both expected and (more often) unexpected. That is why I've written this book.From 2009 to 2014, I traveled the world working with software developers, both individually and in teams, to improve their craft. Primarily, I did this through a training workshop format called coderetreat. Over those years, I had the opportunity to watch 1000's of pairs of programmers work on exactly the same system, Conway's Game of Life. As time progressed, I began to see patterns arise. I noticed common techniques and designs that spanned languages and companies and crossed national borders.As co-founder and a facilitator of coderetreat workshops, I had the unique opportunity to provide feedback, both direct and through questions, on improving the act of writing adaptable, simple code. Through the day, we worked on improving our ability to make good choices around the minute-by-minute decisions made while writing code.This book is about those things I learned from watching these 1000's of pairs working on the same problem. It contains a large part of the feedback that I provide during a typical coderetreat. The primary focus is on the thought process behind refactoring, and how that is influenced by the 4 rules of simple design.This book is not about Conway's Game of Life. Instead, it uses its domain as a backdrop to discuss the thoughts and ideas behind the 4 rules of simple design. It focuses on the small decisions made while designing your code with the goal of building robust, adaptable codebases that can stand the test of time.

    But after his scrap with Randy Betancourt makes headlines in the Weekly Bugle, he's got a problem WAY worse than detention! Can Nate bounce back? And will the annual Mud Bowl be a blast . . . or a bust?Meet BIG NATE, P.S. 38's coolest doodler and definitely NOT the teacher's pet.This Big Nate activity book is bursting with exclusive activities. Includes mazes, sudoku, crossword puzzles, doodle games, comics, secrets codes, and much more!Nate may not be Joe Honor Roll, but he knows he's meant for big fun. He's always up for scribbling games, jokes, laughs, and creating comics. And now you can join him!There is plenty of space for kids to get creative, and all the favorite characters from Nate's New York Times bestselling world are included—the know-it-all Gina; Nate's best buddies, Francis and Teddy; his rival, Artur; and his least favorite teacher, Mrs. Godfrey, aka Godzilla. Nate's world pops off the pages with more than 500 black-and-white illustrations that you get to help create.An awesome way to guarantee 100% relief from boredom—learn to doodle, draw, and write the Big Nate way!Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney says, "Big Nate is funny, big time!"