Gergely Orosz Reflects on The Software Engineer's Guidebook

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Mar 20, 2025

Gergely Orosz, author of 'The Software Engineer's Guidebook' and creator of the Pragmatic Engineer newsletter, shares unique insights into the software engineering field. He discusses the challenges of writing a book versus a newsletter, the vital role of mentorship, and navigating the evolving job market. Gergely also addresses the impact of AI on hiring practices, the necessity of professional networks for career advancement, and reflects on personal experiences while transitioning from an engineering role to management.

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ANECDOTE

Skip-Level Meeting Inspiration

Gergely Orosz had a skip-level meeting with an engineer struggling at Uber's fast-paced environment.
This inspired him to write a book offering guidance for engineers navigating similar challenges.

INSIGHT

Vocabulary for Big Tech

Many software engineers haven't experienced working in large tech companies.
Gergely's book provides vocabulary and context for those unfamiliar with such environments.

ADVICE

Empathy for Stakeholders

Understand the perspectives and motivations of other stakeholders in your team.
This empathy helps navigate complex team dynamics and problem-solving.

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Software Engineer's Guidebook

Georges Oroz

The Engineering Executive's Primer

Impactful Technical Leadership

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Become an Effective Software Engineering Manager

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This book is designed to help software engineers transition into management roles effectively. It covers a wide range of topics including the transition from engineer to manager, organizing information, delegating tasks, managing one's own boss, hiring and firing, performance and salary reviews, and building a great team. The book also delves into the psychology of management, such as coaching and mentoring, dealing with deadline pressure, handling sensitive information, and navigating workplace politics. It emphasizes practical, hands-on techniques and tools to support flexible and remote working, improve diversity in the industry, and ensure best practices across departments.

Thinking in systems

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This book introduces readers to systems thinking, a critical skill for 21st-century life. It explains how to understand and interact with complex systems, highlighting the importance of internal system structures and feedback loops. The book is divided into sections on system structures and behavior, the relationship between systems and humans, and strategies for creating change within systems. It aims to help readers develop a deeper understanding of systems to address global issues such as climate change, poverty, and social inequalities.

Tidy First

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Kent Beck

Kent Beck's "Tidy First" emphasizes the importance of maintaining clean and well-organized code throughout the software development process. The book argues that prioritizing code tidiness leads to improved productivity, reduced bugs, and enhanced collaboration. Beck advocates for a proactive approach to code maintenance, suggesting that regular tidying prevents the accumulation of technical debt. He provides practical techniques and strategies for keeping code clean and organized, such as refactoring, automated testing, and pair programming. The book is a valuable resource for developers who want to improve their coding practices and build more maintainable software.