Books for web application development?

Question

What books would you recommend for getting into web application development?

EDIT: I'm looking more for conceptual stuff, like planning, design, information architecture, books on the planning stages of web application development. I'm somewhat new to the industry, and I only have freelance experience, so I'm looking for book ideas from people working in companies in the industry on web application development.

Answer 1

I'd say it depends on what you already know about that. For starters: HTML, XHTML, and CSS, Sixth Edition (Visual Quickstart Guide)

Actual programming for web is possible with a very wide range of technology and tools. So, you'll have to pick something first.

Answer 2

Web Site UI Design: Don't Make Me Think

CSS: CSS Zen Garden

JavaScript: JavaScript: The Definitive Guide (O'Reilly)

Answer 3

Since you didn't give much information about your current knowledge level, I'll recommend

Bullet Proof Web Design by Dan Cederholm

overall a well laid out book and one of the few that I can say improved my abilities.

Answer 4

I've found a great conceptual book that deals with designing web forms. It's at:

http://www.lukew.com/resources/web_form_design.asp

Reading it has really helped me make better forms from a user interaction standpoint.

Answer 5

I have found all of these to be useful at different stages

Architecture

• Donald G. Reinertsen - Managing the Design Factory
• Jesse James Garrett, The Elements of User Experience

Customer Development

• Steven Gary Blank, The Four Steps to the Epiphany

Product Development

• Donald G. Reinertsen - The Principles of Product Development Flow

Web Design

• Steve Krug, Don’t make me think
• Robert Hoekman, Designing the Obvious & Designing the Moment
• Indi Young, Mental Models
• Luke Wroblewski, Web Form Design

Agile Methods

• Mike Kohn, User Stories Applied & Agile Estimating and Planning

Management

• Stephen R. Covey, 7 Habits for Managers

Marketing

• Al Ries & Jack Trout, The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing
• Al Ries & Jack Trout, In Search of the Obvious
• Al Ries & Jack Trout, Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind

Inspiration / Business

• Seth Godin, The Dip
• Guy Kawasaki, Art of the start

Answer 6

These might be a little too technical, but they're a good overview of many decisions that go into creating sites:

• Philip and Alex's Guide to Web Publishing, by Philip Greenspun: http://www.amazon.com/Philip-Alexs-Guide-Web-Publishing/dp/1558605347
• Software Engineering for Internet Applications, also by Philip Greenspun: http://philip.greenspun.com/seia/

Answer 7

Code Complete 2

Knowing the basics about the web is only part of it...you also need to know how to program effectively. This book has the potential to take followers from amateur programmers to professionals.

From an Amazon review:

This book is not a how-to book and does not focus on any specific technology. You can be an ASP.NET developer working on MS Windows platform or a Python developer working on a GNU/Linux platform. If you are involved with a project that includes more than a few thousands line of code and you work as a part of a team then you owe yourself to have the knowledge described in the book.