Over the past five years, authors Dustin Boswell and Trevor Foucher have analyzed hundreds of examples of "bad code" (much of it their own) to determine why they’re bad and how they could be improved. Their conclusion? You need to write code that minimizes the time it would take someone else to understand it—even if that someone else is you.This book focuses on basic principles and practical techniques you can apply every time you write code. Using easy-to-digest code examples from different languages, each chapter dives into a different aspect of coding, and demonstrates how you can make your code easy to understand.Simplify naming, commenting, and formatting with tips that apply to every line of codeRefine your program’s loops, logic, and variables to reduce complexity and confusionAttack problems at the function level, such as reorganizing blocks of code to do one task at a timeWrite effective test code that is thorough and concise—as well as readable"Being aware of how the code you create affects those who look at it later is an important part of developing software. The authors did a great job in taking you through the different aspects of this challenge, explaining the details with instructive examples." —Michael Hunger, passionate Software Developer

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    The future lies where genetics, A.I. and time collide. You don’t want to miss the conclusion of the Field Series main arc! Complete your journey with one small step,The future has arrived. Now.

    Russ Olsen has done a great job of selecting classic patterns and augmenting these with newer patterns that have special relevance for Ruby. He clearly explains each idea, making a wealth of experience available to Ruby developers for their own daily work."--Steve Metsker, Managing Consultant with Dominion Digital, Inc."This book provides a great demonstration of the key 'Gang of Four' design patterns without resorting to overly technical explanations. Written in a precise, yet almost informal style, this book covers enough ground that even those without prior exposure to design patterns will soon feel confident applying them using Ruby. Olsen has done a great job to make a book about a classically 'dry' subject into such an engaging and even occasionally humorous read."--Peter Cooper"This book renewed my interest in understanding patterns after a decade of good intentions. Russ picked the most useful patterns for Ruby and introduced them in a straightforward and logical manner, going beyond the GoF's patterns. This book has improved my use of Ruby, and encouraged me to blow off the dust covering the GoF book."--Mike Stok" Design Patterns in Ruby is a great way for programmers from statically typed objectoriented languages to learn how design patterns appear in a more dynamic, flexible language like Ruby."--Rob Sanheim, Ruby Ninja, RelevanceMost design pattern books are based on C++ and Java. But Ruby is different--and the language's unique qualities make design patterns easier to implement and use. In this book, Russ Olsen demonstrates how to combine Ruby's power and elegance with patterns, and write more sophisticated, effective software with far fewer lines of code.After reviewing the history, concepts, and goals of design patterns, Olsen offers a quick tour of the Ruby language--enough to allow any experienced software developer to immediately utilize patterns with Ruby. The book especially calls attention to Ruby features that simplify the use of patterns, including dynamic typing, code closures, and "mixins" for easier code reuse.Fourteen of the classic "Gang of Four" patterns are considered from the Ruby point of view, explaining what problems each pattern solves, discussing whether traditional implementations make sense in the Ruby environment, and introducing Ruby-specific improvements. You'll discover opportunities to implement patterns in just one or two lines of code, instead of the endlessly repeated boilerplate that conventional languages often require. Design Patterns in Ruby also identifies innovative new patterns that have emerged from the Ruby community. These include ways to create custom objects with metaprogramming, as well as the ambitious Rails-based "Convention Over Configuration" pattern, designed to help integrate entire applications and frameworks.Engaging, practical, and accessible, Design Patterns in Ruby will help you build better software while making your Ruby programming experience more rewarding.

    Written for both experienced and new programmers alike, Learning Ruby is a just-get-in-and-drive book -- a hands-on tutorial that offers lots of Ruby programs and lets you know how and why they work, just enough to get you rolling down the road. Interest in Ruby stems from the popularity of Rails, the web development framework that's attracting new devotees and refugees from Java and PHP. But there are plenty of other uses for this versatile language. The best way to learn is to just try the code! You'll find examples on nearly every page of this book that you can imitate and hack. Briefly, this book:Outlines many of the most important features of Ruby Demonstrates how to use conditionals, and how to manipulate strings in Ruby. Includes a section on regular expressions Describes how to use operators, basic math, functions from the Math module, rational numbers, etc. Talks you through Ruby arrays, and demonstrates hashes in detail Explains how to process files with Ruby Discusses Ruby classes and modules (mixins) in detail, including a brief introduction to object-oriented programming (OOP) Introduces processing XML, the Tk toolkit, RubyGems, reflection, RDoc, embedded Ruby, metaprogramming, exception handling, and other topics Acquaints you with some of the essentials of Rails, and includes a short Rails tutorial. Each chapter concludes with a set of review questions, and appendices provide you with a glossary of terms related to Ruby programming, plus reference material from the book in one convenient location. If you want to take Ruby out for a drive, Learning Ruby holds the keys.

    Even for people not working with the Unified Process, the book is still of great use. UML 2 and the Unified Process, Second Edition is a must-read for every UML 2 beginner and a helpful guide and reference for the experienced practitioner."--Roland Leibundgut, Technical Director, Zuehlke Engineering Ltd."This book is a good starting point for organizations and individuals who are adopting UP and need to understand how to provide visualization of the different aspects needed to satisfy it. "--Eric Naiburg, Market Manager, Desktop Products, IBM Rational SoftwareThis thoroughly revised edition provides an indispensable and practical guide to the complex process of object-oriented analysis and design using UML 2. It describes how the process of OO analysis and design fits into the software development lifecycle as defined by the Unified Process (UP). UML 2 and the Unified Process contains a wealth of practical, powerful, and useful techniques that you can apply immediately. As you progress through the text, you will learn OO analysis and design techniques, UML syntax and semantics, and the relevant aspects of the UP. The book provides you with an accurate and succinct summary of both UML and UP from the point of view of the OO analyst and designer.This book providesChapter roadmaps, detailed diagrams, and margin notes allowing you to focus on your needs Outline summaries for each chapter, making it ideal for revision, and a comprehensive index that can be used as a reference New to this edition:Completely revised and updated for UML 2 syntax Easy to understand explanations of the new UML 2 semantics More real-world examples A new section on the Object Constraint Language (OCL) Introductory material on the OMG's Model Driven Architecture (MDA) The accompanying website providesA complete example of a simple e-commerce system Open source tools for requirements engineering and use case modeling Industrial-strength UML course materials based on the book

    :)EVER WANTED TO BE SUPER?What if you were?And what if EVERYONE ELSE at your school was as well?If everyone is SUPER, does that mean no one is?So goes the first day of school for 5 new kids at Hero Academy in Superville. -- Who's sabotaging the class at every turn?-- How does Susie keep getting away with stuff?-- And what will happen when people find out that the new kid is an alien?From flight and super-strength, to invisibility and even the power to create ice cream cones... HERO ACADEMY is full of the type of super powers we all wanted to have! :)Along with the sometimes awkward interactions we wish weren't part of growing up. :(

    During it, both Henry and Naomi lost their lives and left their seven children orphaned. Later adopted by Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, missionaries in what is now Washington, they were orphaned a second time, when both their new parents were killed during the Whitman massacre in November 1847. About 1860 Catherine, the oldest girl, wrote a first-hand account of their journey across the plains and their life with the Whitmans. Today it is regarded as one of the most authentic accounts of the American westward migration.

    Lots of suspense, mystery, and romance. No cliffhangers! Bonus book included. Book 1: Alex – The Panther Alex is assigned to work with the gang’s point of contact, a beautiful, clever woman named Tony, who immediately manages to get the dark Alex to open up to her and to himself in a way that nobody ever has before. As Alex and Tony fall for each other, they do their best to take down Sanchez’s operation in the city using Alex’s dark connects, but he doesn’t know that Tony has a dangerous secret, one that could destroy them both before the end of the mission. Book 2: Nick – The Bear Nick is a bear shifter on the verge of death the day he is wheeled into Dr. Lilith Cole’s office, his body ravaged by a brutal fight with a roomful of Sanchez’s shifters. Lilith finds that she feels a connection to him before he even wakes up, and though she tries to deny it, she can’t resist how she feels about him the moment he opens his eyes. Awake and alert, Nick is determined to prove to himself and to his commander that he is capable of working the dangerous missions. Lilith finds herself irresistibly drawn to the big shifter, drawn into a conflict so deep that she might just be risking her life as well as her heart. Book 3: Noah – The Powerful Noah is a multi-shifter with the ability to change into any animal, but his remarkable, rare ability doesn’t help him when faced with one of Sanchez’s people, a beautiful witch named Fiona. Noah is surprised when Fiona saves him from the fire that he sets to free Lilith Cole from her imprisonment, especially considering the fact that shifters and witches have a blood feud that goes back for centuries. Fiona and Noah hate each other, but they can’t deny their attraction for one another, fierce and powerful in the face of their disdain for one another. Book 4: Gabriel – The Witch Gabriel is too powerful. A rare combination of a shifter and witch, he is unable to control either side of his powers. Knowing his potential and how powerful he can be, Liam sends him on a mission to search the addresses that they found to places possibly belonging to Sylvester Sanchez, along with a psychic who has the ability to read the history of places she enters. Sophie is the opposite of Gabriel in every way—excited and charming, nothing like the dark, brooding witch. Chapter 5: Liam – The Leader After they finally locate Sylvester Sanchez’s main headquarters in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, Elise insists on going on the mission with them, not convinced that Liam’s personal vendetta against Sanchez won’t get in the way of completing the mission successfully. The closer they get to the compound, the more it becomes obvious that Elise has been hiding something dark and dangerous, something that has the ability to either save the entire squad or watch them burn in front of her.

     Before the world knew his name, Henry and his family were immigrants to America. Growing up was not easy for this young chimp but he learned to adapt. Between his love of baseball, music and his family, he learns what it takes to be the best he can be. Unfortunately life is not always kind to Henry and he soon discovers that growing up can mean learning the truth and that the truth is not always friendly. Now Henry is on a mission to expose his experience in the space program. Will running for Mayor in the APE Party help his cause, or will it simply turn him into a fugitive? A cross between Forrest Gump and Planet of the Apes, the first book in the Chimpman series is a completely unique story of the triumph and fall of an immigrant chimpanzee family. If you like The One and Only Ivan, you will love Henry Chimpman.

    There is only one rule: the temple must be made of materials only from the earth, nothing else.That won’t be a problem. Not for him. Because Rok isn’t a normal little boy. No, not at all. He is a demigod: a quarter of the blood in his veins is the blood of the gods. His heritage grants him power over the earth and its many elements—over stone and soil and the deep, dark, hidden ores. Just like his three siblings, Rok has a unique magical power.However, it isn’t all meditation and peace in Zuuland. Unknown to Rok and his family, his father’s vengeful brother Labec lurks in the shadows with his two children, Coltin and Menga. Uncle Labec is consumed by the desire to steal the greatest treasure of Rok’s father, King Nyark: the ZUKOPAL, a mysterious and powerful opal ring that shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow.But it isn’t just power Uncle Labec seeks. His motivations run far deeper. Labec is the yin to King Nyark’s yang. He seeks a balancing of light and dark, and even more—revenge for past wrongs. Will Rok and his siblings be able to bring peace between their father and uncle? Or will the Zukopal drive them even further apart?

    This mission will have him escorting the prisoner across America. When things go awry, Mack finds himself in the middle of a forest surrounded by the plane’s debris. Initially, he believes the crash to have been the result of a mechanical error, but soon discovers that the electrical malfunction may have been the result of an EMP. As the sole survivors, Mack and Grace will have to band together to find their way to a military bunker for shelter, but she lacks the necessary skills and means to survive. Will her inexperience be too much of a cross to bear? Can they find out the truth about what caused the devastating crash before succumbing to the elements?

    There are a lot of myths related to succeeding such as working hard and limited resources. This book SMASHES those myths. In this book you will learn 9 truths about how the world really works!A lot of these truths are based around the Law of Attraction, which is a law of the universe stating that like attracts like. If you ascribe to even one of these truths, it will have a huge impact on every aspect of your life including wealth, love, health and relationships. And the more truths you embrace, the more successful you will become!The best part is this book costs $0.99 and will take you very little time to read. But be warned that some of them will be controversial and will completely go against everything you've ever learned. For example, truths such as "there are no coincidences" and "being selfish is a good thing" definitely go against the grain, but will make a lot of sense once you read it.A lot of the material in this book has been influenced by some very well known authors in the Law of Attraction World and in the Spiritual World. Including Abraham Hicks, Neale Donald Walsch (who wrote the Conversations With God series) and more. So download it for free! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Finally, if you like this book, then please feel free to leave a review. It will be valuable feedback for others interested in changing their lives.

    The battle of wits begins and only the most devious mind will survive.  HITCHHIKER, a suspense novelette  ------------------AN EVIL MIND, a suspense novel  How do you stop a serial killer who can escape from any prison?On December 11, fifteen-year-old Helen Hinton is brutally murdered in an abandoned house.Her killer, Edward Phillips, is caught and sentenced to death. Helen's blood was on Edward's clothes and shoes, the murder weapon has his fingerprints on it.Edward claims he's innocent. He's telling the truth.Two months after Edward Phillips is transferred to death row, a murder similar to Helen's occurs in another city. The victim is eighteen-year-old Laura Sumner.On an October morning, Mark Hinton, Helen's father, visits Edward in prison to talk about Laura Sumner's case. Edward tells him that he knows who really killed Helen.What he doesn't tell Mark is that the real killer is the most dangerous criminal on the planet.------------------MANIA, a suspense novelRichard Brower has killed a dozen people. Now someone is trying to frame him for the murders committed by another serial killer.Serial killer Richard Brower buried his cheating wife, Mary, in the woods on Saturday.On Monday, Mary calls her brother's girlfriend.A few days later, she calls her mom.Then Mary bumps into her friend at a mall.Are all these people lying or has Mary actually come back from the dead?Richard has no idea, but he will get to the bottom of this. Or at least he'll try.

     It is the dawn of the Second World War, but for the residents of Fielding life carries on in its simple way. Yet paranoia and suspicion cast a pall over Eva’s world when her dearest friend simply vanishes, and no one claims to have known her at all. Beginning to doubt her own sanity but desperate to find Annie, Eva makes the acquaintance of two mysterious strangers: the elderly and eccentric Lola, and tender but distant Gabe. Showing no surprise at Eva’s tale, the two open her eyes to a hidden world — one in which people can be lost and all memory of them forsaken. Gabe and Lola vow to assist Eva in her quest, but she soon begins to suspect they may be guarding secrets of their own.