Editing Code Complete (section)

==Summary==
McConnell defines the main activities in software construction as detailed [[software design|design]], construction planning, coding and debugging, [[unit testing]], [[software integration|integration]] and [[integration testing]]. Although he does not dismiss the value of other aspects of software development such as requirements and documentation, McConnell emphasises the construction of software due to several reasons. Within the view of the book, construction is a large part of software development, as the central activity within software development and can significantly improve the productivity of a programmer when focus is directed towards it; in addition, the source code is seen as defining the operation of the software, with documentation implicated when code and documentation are opposed. Lastly, the book contends that construction is the exclusive activity which is guaranteed to remain completed.

The techniques of a good programmer are also given throughout the book. The whole part seven of the book is about software craftsmanship (layout, style, character, themes and self-documentation).<ref name="blogger Kai">{{cite web|title=What are the key points of Code Complete?|url=http://programmers.stackexchange.com/questions/2777/what-are-the-key-points-of-code-complete|date=2010-09-17|accessdate=2015-06-28|quote=But the most important take-aways are in Chapter 33, Personal Character: once you consciously seek to improve as a coder, you can and will. The fastest way to do so is to take on the attitudes of master coders (humility, curiosity, intellectual honesty, discipline, creativity), while also practicing their habits (many good habits are listed in the book, e.g. choosing good variable/value names).}}</ref>

The other six parts of the book are: laying the foundation, creating high-quality code, variables, statements, code improvements and system considerations.