tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12467669.post5491206958160538891..comments2023-04-29T07:23:25.825-04:00Comments on Jay Fields' Thoughts: Reading technical booksJayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14491442812573747680noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12467669.post-5805601190770107952009-05-01T14:02:00.000-04:002009-05-01T14:02:00.000-04:00I don't think there is any one right way to read a...I don't think there is any one right way to read a technical book. For one thing, it depends on how technical the book is. Most programming related books are not all that technical. However, some books (e.g. design patterns) are conceptually deep and require some follow-up thought. Recent research implies that for material that is not too difficult, it's best to read, then recite, either out loud or with by writing down what you think you learned. For difficult material, you first have to understand what you have read. The problem with this is you can get stuck. So in this case it's better to note your lack of understanding and move on. Perhaps you'll puzzle it out when you have the bigger picture. <br /><br />I think the key is reciting. Read a chapter or section, once, review in your head what you have learned, and more, expand on what the author has written. What did he leave out? What can you add? What do you think is not quite right? etc.. I think, often, that rereading is a waste of time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12467669.post-3417994240193326072009-02-12T01:14:00.000-05:002009-02-12T01:14:00.000-05:00Exactly true. we should always use 80-20 rule20% e...Exactly true. we should always use 80-20 rule<BR/><BR/>20% effort = 80% results<BR/><BR/>first skip and skim the book, our brain will have complete picture.<BR/><BR/>later read the necessary content.<BR/><BR/>if possible from end to start. this will give a tremendous effect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12467669.post-61112140997049963932008-10-13T16:13:00.000-04:002008-10-13T16:13:00.000-04:00Usually, no. But, if I want to get a bit more fami...Usually, no. But, if I want to get a bit more familiar with the content, that's a decent option.<BR/><BR/>Cheers, JayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12467669.post-1193377809201783562008-10-13T16:05:00.000-04:002008-10-13T16:05:00.000-04:00Do you still do all the practice exercises in the ...Do you still do all the practice exercises in the book?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com