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XP book recommendations?

 
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So, I'm thinking about buying a book about XP and would be interested to hear recommendations. Not necessarily a single "bible," but preferrably not a full library either...
Yes, I have searched Amazon.com and read some reviews but all of the books I've found sound a bit too "general" or otherwise "flawed."
 
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What do you expect from the book?
 
Ilja Preuss
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Just realized that this is the follow up of https://coderanch.com/t/130208/Agile/Opinions-suitable-transition-processes
I think "XP installed" puts the practices together in a nice, practical way.
 
Lasse Koskela
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Originally posted by Ilja Preuss:
I think "XP installed" puts the practices together in a nice, practical way.


Thanks. It has been on my Amazon wishlist for some time, but I've also heard some negative comments about the book so I've kind of neglected it...
 
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The 9-boots-book "Java Tools for XP" (http://www.javaranch.com/bunkhouse/Process.jsp)will definitely push you into XP practice.
Maybe this week's giveaway is another good choice of XP study for Java programmer.
Regards,
Doug
[ May 13, 2003: Message edited by: Doug Wang ]
 
Lasse Koskela
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Yep. On my list also.
Keep 'em coming -- I'll spend next saturday in a bookstore browsing through the books until I really can't decide
 
Ilja Preuss
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Originally posted by Doug Wang:
The 9-boots-book "Java Tools for XP" (http://www.javaranch.com/bunkhouse/Process.jsp)will definitely push you into XP practice.
Maybe this week's giveaway is another good choice of XP study for Java programmer.


I wonder, what do those books tell you about the application of important XP practices like
- release and iteration planning
- frequent releases
- system metaphor
- simple design
- acceptance (customer) testing
- refactoring
- pair programming
- sustainable pace
- whole team
etc.
 
Lasse Koskela
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Originally posted by Ilja Preuss:
I wonder, what do those books tell you about the application of important XP practices like...


I've had the same "disbelief" of a number of XP books, including the Hightower. I guess it's difficult to find the right balance between theory and the more hands-on material.
 
Ilja Preuss
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Originally posted by Lasse Koskela:

I've had the same "disbelief" of a number of XP books, including the Hightower. I guess it's difficult to find the right balance between theory and the more hands-on material.


I don't think it's a matter of balance, but one of focus.
The both books in question focus on the usage of a handfull of very popular tools. They are certainly quite usefull if you want to use the tools in an agile way - wether you are doing XP or not.
I just don't think that they are usefull for learning how to apply XP - which is a very different topic in my not so humble opinion.
 
Lasse Koskela
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Originally posted by Ilja Preuss:
The both books in question focus on the usage of a handfull of very popular tools. They are certainly quite usefull if you want to use the tools in an agile way - wether you are doing XP or not.
I just don't think that they are usefull for learning how to apply XP - which is a very different topic in my not so humble opinion.


Good point. The problem is that I'd like to both learn XP, learn to implement XP in practice (learning the use of the tools included)... Guess I have to buy separate books then.
 
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I took a class a few weeks ago and the professor kept speaking of this XP book. I haven't read the book yet but since there's thread for book listings I figured what the heck.....
Kent Beck. Extreme Programming Explained. Embrace Change. Addison Wesley 2000.
 
Lasse Koskela
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I almost forgot...
When browsing through Amazon I stumbled into a SAMS "Teach yourself ... in ... days" series book about XP! It must have been the first about software development/software engineering subject.
Just wanted to point out that it's out there. I probably won't buy it myself though (being preconceived and all).
 
Ilja Preuss
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Originally posted by Lasse Koskela:
When browsing through Amazon I stumbled into a SAMS "Teach yourself ... in ... days" series book about XP! It must have been the first about software development/software engineering subject.


And I remember Ron Jeffries, one of the most active XP proponents, state that it isn't that bad a book as the title might suggest...
 
Lasse Koskela
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Originally posted by Ilja Preuss:
And I remember Ron Jeffries, one of the most active XP proponents, state that it isn't that bad a book as the title might suggest...


"It isn't that bad" as in "it's not complete rubbish" or as in "I think it's a good book"?
 
Lasse Koskela
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I just thought I'd let you guys know that I went for Extreme Programming Applied: Playing to Win by Auer, Miller and Cunningham.
It seems a reasonable mixture of theory (introduction to the 12 KPs) and practice (how to introduce XP to an org).
Thanks for the recommendations.
 
Ilja Preuss
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Originally posted by Lasse Koskela:

"It isn't that bad" as in "it's not complete rubbish" or as in "I think it's a good book"?


I understood it as somewhere in the middle...
Unfortunately, the Yahoo-Groups search feature is miserable, so I can't point you to the actual posting...
 
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