There are two excellent books that will answer most of your questions. The second book is harder to obtain (more expensive), as it is older. Each of the intervi

There are two excellent books that will answer most of your questions. The second book is harder to obtain (more expensive), as it is older. Each of the interviews are pretty detailed, down to nitty-gritty, often mundane details about the craft of programming. http://www.amazon.com/Coders-Work-Reflections-Craft-Programming/dp/1430219483 http://www.amazon.com/Coders-Work-Reflections-Craft-Programm... http://www.amazon.com/Programmers-at-Work-Susan-Lammers/dp/0914845713 http://www.amazon.com/Programmers-at-Work-Susan-Lammers/dp/0...