Ace the programming interview: 160 questions and answers for success

Cover
 Copyright page
 Contents at a Glance
 Table of Contents
 Welcome
 Art vs. Science of Software Estimation
 Why This Book Was Written and Who It Is For
 Key Benefits Of This Book
 What This Book Is Not About
 Where to Start
 Microsoft Press Support
 Acknowledgments
 Equations
 Figures
 Part I: Critical Estimation Concepts
 Chapter 1: What Is an \"Estimate\"?
 1.1 Estimates, Targets, and Commitments
 1.2 Relationship Between Estimates and Plans
 1.3 Communicating about Estimates, Targets, and Commitments
 1.4 Estimates as Probability Statements
 1.5 Common Definitions of a \"Good\" Estimate. 1.6 Estimates and Project Control1.7 Estimation\'s Real Purpose
 1.8 A Working Definition of a \"Good Estimate\"
 Additional Resources
 Chapter 2: How Good an Estimator Are You?
 2.1 A Simple Estimation Quiz
 2.2 Discussion of Quiz Results
 How Confident Is \"90% Confident\"?
 How Wide Should You Make Your Ranges?
 Where Does Pressure to Use Narrow Ranges Come From?
 How Representative Is This Quiz of Real Software Estimates?
 Chapter 3: Value of Accurate Estimates
 3.1 Is It Better to Overestimate or Underestimate?
 Arguments Against Overestimation
 Arguments Against Underestimation. Weighing the Arguments3.2 Details on the Software Industry\'s Estimation Track Record
 How Late Are the Late Projects?
 One Company\'s Experience
 The Software Industry\'s Systemic Problem
 3.3 Benefits of Accurate Estimates
 3.4 Value of Predictability Compared with Other Desirable Project Attributes
 3.5 Problems with Common Estimation Techniques
 Additional Resources
 Chapter 4: Where Does Estimation Error Come From?
 4.1 Sources of Estimation Uncertainty
 4.2 The Cone of Uncertainty
 Can You Beat the Cone?
 The Cone Doesn\'t Narrow Itself. Accounting for the Cone of Uncertainty in Software EstimatesRelationship Between the Cone of Uncertainty and Commitment
 The Cone of Uncertainty and Iterative Development
 4.3 Chaotic Development Processes
 4.4 Unstable Requirements
 Estimating Requirements Growth
 4.5 Omitted Activities
 4.6 Unfounded Optimism
 4.7 Subjectivity and Bias
 4.8 Off-the-Cuff Estimates
 4.9 Unwarranted Precision
 4.10 Other Sources of Error
 Additional Resources
 Chapter 5: Estimate Influences
 5.1 Project Size
 Why Is This Book Discussing Size in Lines of Code?
 Diseconomies of Scale. When You Can Safely Ignore Diseconomies of ScaleImportance of Diseconomy of Scale in Software Estimation
 5.2 Kind of Software Being Developed
 5.3 Personnel Factors
 5.4 Programming Language
 5.5 Other Project Influences
 5.6 Diseconomies of Scale Revisited
 Additional Resources
 Part II: Fundamental Estimation Techniques
 Chapter 6: Introduction to Estimation Techniques
 6.1 Considerations in Choosing Estimation Techniques
 What\'s Being Estimated
 Project Size
 Software Development Style
 Development Stage
 Accuracy Possible
 6.2 Technique Applicability Tables.