K&R equivalent for Python, Java, ...

Question

I think it's universally recognised that the K&R book, The C Programming Language, is the C bible. What I'm wondering is if anyone can say the same about any other books for other languages? Are there any books that are recognised as the ultimate be-all-and-end-all guides for learning Python, Java, C#, Ruby and others.

Please bear in mind that I'm not really asking for your personal book recommendations - I am sure we have our favourites for different languages, some of which may not be considered "bibles" but have worked for us just the same.

What I am asking is if you are aware of a general consensus on any books that are considered bibles for their particular language. In other words, this would mean that you and many others within the industry immediately associate a certain book with a particular language.

Answer 1

I figured I'd get the ball rolling:

Perl - Learning Perl and Programming Perl (O'Reilly)

Answer 2

When it comes to C# apart from consulting the spec and documentation I use Jon Skeets C# In Depth, its the only developer book on my desk. Mainly because if I'm trying to understand (or explain to someone else) something in C# (or its application) this book is good quide to the "Why" some feature of the language is useful and how its used.

Answer 3

For python it's got to be the online official tutorial (and documentation)

http://docs.python.org/tutorial/

Times have changed. Books are now online =)

Answer 4

For me, K&R's Java book would be Bruce Eckel's Thinking in Java.

Answer 5

An easy one, because there is not much competition - The AWK Programming Language by Aho, Kerhighan & Weinberger.

Answer 6

The Definitive Guide to Grails

Graeme Rocher and Jeff Brown

Answer 7

For Java it's very clearly Effective Java in my opinion, as linked in other answers. Or at least, I'd say that's easily the best book I've read about Java, and the most useful one for an existing Java programmer. Note that it isn't a book to learn Java from - it's a book to help you write Java well once you already know the syntax.

While I very much appreciate Anthony's support for C# in Depth, I don't rank it up with Effective Java. I don't think there really is an equivalent for C# yet.

However, I'd like there to be... and I may be making very gradual progress towards being a tiny part of helping it to happen. One day :)

Answer 8

1. The C++ Programming Language for C++.
2. The C# Programming Language for C#.
3. The Java Programming Language for Java.