Creating software is more than simply producing code

Gary Pollice, David West, and Brett McLaughlin provides a brain-friendly guide to help developers produce great software every time through their new book, "Head First Object-Oriented Analysis and Design" (O'Reilly, US $49.99).

It uses the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory to take developers from thinking about code to thinking about software.

It shows readers how to analyze, design, and write serious object-oriented software: software that's easy to reuse, maintain, and extend; software that lets developers add new features without breaking the old ones.

It also presents serious information in a entertaining, exciting, visual approach to learning. It combines puzzles, strong visuals, mysteries, and a friendly, conversational style to engage readers in many different ways. It's fast, fun, and effective:

• Learn how to use OO principles like encapsulation and delegation to build applications that are flexible.
  
  
• Apply the Open-Closed Principle (OCP) and the Single Responsibility Principle (SRP) to promote reuse of your code.
  
  
• Learn how OO principles, design patterns, and different development approaches all fit into the OOA&D project lifecycle.
  
  
• Use UML, use cases, and diagrams to ensure that all stakeholders are communicating clearly to help you deliver the right software that meets everyone's needs.
  

In the award-winning Head First fashion, "Head First OOA&D" compresses the time it takes to learn and retain complex information. Readers can expect to have fun, to learn, and to be writing great software consistently by the time they're finished with this book.