Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code

Martin Fowler's classic is the definite reference on refactoring.

In a detailed catalog of refactorings, supported by a safe mechanics this book explains how existing code can gradually be improved. Refactoring ought to be part of every developer's toolbox.

Refactoring Workbook

The Refactoring Workbook is a practical handbook for studying refactorings. The excellent mix of exercises and complementary advice makes this book a worthy companion of the refactoring book.

Refactoring to Patterns

With this unique catalog of design-level refactorings Joshua Kerievsky has given refactoring an entirely new dimension. "Refactoring to Patterns" shows developers how to make design level improvements that simplify everyday work. This book is an invaluable reference for the refactoring practitioner.

(detailed review)

Working Effectively With Legacy Code

Working Effectively With Legacy Code explains principles and techniques for getting a legacy codebase under control. With this book Michael Feathers shows how getting our hands dirty allows us to deal with the most awkward legacy code.

Refactoring Databases

Evolutionary design and refactoring already are exciting and with the publication of Refactoring Databases this even gets better. In this book Pramod and Scott share us the techniques and strategies to refactor at the database level. Using these refactorings database schemas can safely be evolved even after an application has been deployed into production. With this book the refactoring of a database is within reach of any developer.

(detailed review)

Refactoring in Large Software Projects

Refactoring in Large Software Projects introduces the reader to the more difficult and advanced refactorings. Additionally to teaching concepts and techniques authors Stefan Roock and Martin Lippert learn the reader to think of a design as something dynamic and flexible. A must read for the refactoring expert.

User Stories Applied: For Agile Software Development

User Stories Applied is a handbook that offers the reader both guidance as well as valuable insights in the application of user stories. With this book agile teams are offered an opportunity to get more out of their user stories.

Extreme Programming Explained: Embrace Change
( Second Edition )

Extreme Programming Explained learns about the values, principles and practices that underlie the Extreme Programming philosophy. In the second edition Kent further refines his ideas bringing the book up to date with the insights he learned after the first publication. Once again software teams are encouraged to embrace change and face the challenge for self-improvement.

Agile Estimating and Planning

In Agile Estimating and Planning author Mike Cohn teaches how and why agile projects work. On a journey throughout the book the reader learns to deal with uncertainty, to optimize business value and to achieve project success by careful observation and steering.

The Object Primer

In the third revised edition of the Object Primer, Scott Ambler provides an in-depth introduction to object-oriented concepts, design guidelines, agile modeling techniques and much more. Highly recommended for programmers that are serious about object-oriented development.

Elements Of UML 2.0 Style

Elements of UML 2.0 Style is a neat pocket book with more than three hundred guidelines to assist in keeping modeling efforts lightweight and effective. Its handy format makes it suitable to read everywhere.

XUnit Test Patterns: Refactoring Test Code

Implementation Patterns

In this book Kent Beck shows how writing clear and readable code follows from the application of simple principles. Implementation Patterns will help developers write intention revealing code that is both easy to understand and flexible towards future extensions. A must read for developers that are serious about their code.