Code Complete with Steve McConnell

In this episode of the Pragmatic Engineer podcast, Gergely Orosz interviews Steve McConnell, the author of "Code Complete." They discuss the history of the book, its unexpected success, and the concept of software construction. McConnell shares his early career experiences, his mental model for career development, and his views on "lily pad hopping." The conversation also explores the impact of AI on software engineering and topics McConnell would include in "Code Complete" if he were writing it today, including the role of energy and the importance of design. They delve into the different approaches to software design (top-down vs. bottom-up) and the value of iteration. McConnell emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and making oneself valuable to the organization and the world.