The Software Performance landscape changed dramatically in 2024, with innovations in JVM internals, cloud-native architectures, and observability tools reshaping how developers and architects optimize software. Staying current is no longer optional—it's essential for mastering the evolving challenges of high-performance systems.
These seven books, authored by experienced practitioners such as Monica Beckwith and Gabriel Baptista, provide authoritative perspectives on the latest techniques and architectural patterns. Their work delves into JVM intricacies, Rust’s system-level efficiencies, strategic software testing, and observability best practices—each offering a direct line to the forefront of software performance thinking.
While these cutting-edge books provide the latest insights, readers seeking the newest content tailored to their specific Software Performance goals might consider creating a personalized Software Performance book that builds on these emerging trends.
Monica Beckwith is a distinguished Java Champion known for her expertise in JVM performance engineering. As a key performance strategist at Microsoft, she has driven innovations in JVM workload optimization across cloud and on-premises platforms. Her extensive experience includes leading groundbreaking enhancements in garbage collection and concurrency at Oracle and Sun Microsystems. This book reflects her cutting-edge research and hands-on work with OpenJDK and HotSpot JVM internals, providing you with an authoritative guide to mastering Java performance challenges in modern distributed systems.
Monica Beckwith is a distinguished Java Champion renowned for her expertise in JVM performance optimization, significantly enhancing distributed systems and cloud computing infrastructures. As a key performance strategist at Microsoft, she spearheads initiatives to refine JVM-based workloads, substantially enriching the OpenJDK and advancing Java's cross-platform capabilities for scalable solutions across cloud and on-premises environments. Before joining Microsoft, Monica Beckwith made foundational contributions across the tech landscape. At ARM, she utilized her Java and ARM concurrency expertise to significantly enhance architectural performance. Leading Code Karam LLC, Monica delivered critical improvements in system performance, scalability, and reliability for a global clientele. Her remarkable achievements include leading the optimization of the G1 Garbage Collector at Oracle and Sun Microsystems, marking a significant advancement in JVM technology that dramatically elevated Java's performance and scalability. At AMD, Monica's role was instrumental in adapting garbage collection processes and JIT compilation strategies to align with emerging hardware subsystem innovations, thereby improving JVM's operational predictability and efficiency. A renowned contributor to the Java community, Monica actively shapes JVM performance discourse, participates in program committees, and promotes knowledge exchange through her presentations at leading conferences. Her extensive thought leadership is documented on her InfoQ and SlideShare profiles. Monica is the author of pivotal works, including 'JVM Performance Engineering: Inside the OpenJDK HotSpot VM,' a definitive guide to JVM internals and optimization strategies, and she co-authored 'Java Performance Companion,' focusing on G1 Garbage Collector tuning and optimization. Her dedication to mentoring and fostering an inclusive tech culture underscores her commitment to technological advancement and community support. Through her presentations and publications, Monica shares insights into JVM performance optimization and system scalability. As technology continues to evolve, she stands at the forefront, embracing new challenges in JVM and cloud computing, pushing boundaries, sharing her journey, and empowering technology pioneers.
What started as Monica Beckwith's deep involvement with JVM internals has become a vital resource for developers aiming to master Java performance at a granular level. You learn how to navigate the complexities of the OpenJDK HotSpot VM, gaining hands-on insights into memory management, garbage collection with G1 and ZGC, and the integration of emerging projects like Valhalla and Panama. The book goes beyond theory, offering diagnostic techniques and real-world case studies that demystify JVM behavior in demanding environments. If you're a Java developer, system architect, or software engineer looking to optimize performance in distributed or cloud systems, this book delivers the technical depth you need without unnecessary fluff.
Gabriel Baptista has been working with software development since the beginning of .NET. Today, his main contributions include managing numerous projects for retail and industry, specializing in Azure Platform-as-a-Service solutions. As a mentor for tech startups and a university instructor, Baptista brings both practical and academic perspectives to this book, providing you with up-to-date insights into building scalable enterprise applications using the latest .NET technologies.
Gabriel Baptista has been working with software development since the beginning of .NET. Today, his main contributions are managing numerous projects for retail and industry. He is an Azure Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution specialist, teaches at Computing Engineering universities, and helps tech startups as a mentor.
Unlike most software performance books that focus narrowly on optimization tricks, this one draws from Gabriel Baptista's extensive experience managing retail and industrial projects using .NET. You’ll learn how to design scalable, high-performance enterprise architectures using C# 12 and .NET 8, including concrete skills like applying domain-driven design, integrating microservices with Kubernetes, and leveraging Azure DevOps for CI/CD. For example, the detailed case study on a travel agency application walks you through real choices in cloud storage, communication protocols like gRPC, and frontend microservices. If you're aiming to build robust enterprise systems on the latest Microsoft stack, this book offers practical architectural insights grounded in current tech realities.
This custom AI book on software performance is created based on your background and specific interests in the field. You tell us which new developments and performance breakthroughs you want to explore, as well as your expertise level and goals. The book then focuses on the most relevant, emerging knowledge for 2025, giving you a focused and efficient way to stay ahead without sifting through broad or outdated material.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
This tailored book explores the dynamic landscape of software performance developments expected in 2025, focusing on the latest breakthroughs and innovations reshaping the field. It covers emerging techniques, architectural advances, and new insights relevant to your interests and background, allowing you to dive deep into topics that matter most to you. By aligning with your specific goals, this personalized guide reveals cutting-edge concepts and discoveries that keep you ahead of the curve. The content emphasizes a bespoke learning journey, providing a focused exploration of software performance advancements that reflect your unique preferences and expertise level.
Hernan Clarke is a Senior Solution Architect and AI Engineer with deep expertise in AI, NLP, and software architecture, bringing over 14 years of experience to this focused guide. His background in advanced machine learning, certified project management, and patented innovations informs his practical approach to software performance architecture. Clarke wrote this book to share his proven methods for designing performant, cost-effective cloud systems, drawing on his teaching role and hands-on design work. This makes the book a valuable resource for those seeking to master the mindset and best practices essential for modern software architecture.
Hernan Clarke is a Senior Solution Architect and AI Engineer with advanced NLP techniques, Deep Learning for AI, Machine Learning Algorithms, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Data Science for AI. Over 14 years of hands-on designing modern software systems using proven architecture patterns and best practices. Certified educator and published author, currently teaching advanced software architecture at UDEMY. Certified Lean, Agile, Six-Sigma, and Enterprise Project Management. Member of the Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Prolific Patented Systems and Methods Inventor, Mathematics and Computer Science Graduate. Creative problem-solver and idea-generator focused on innovation and dramatic improvement, able to understand and build complex systems within scope, time, and budget. Skilled communicator with the ability to mentor individuals and facilitate productive dialog among team members, able to work effectively with researchers, product owners, developers, stakeholders, and management.
Drawing from over 14 years as a Senior Solution Architect and AI Engineer, Hernan Clarke offers a focused exploration of software system performance as a foundational element in solution architecture. You learn how to align software design with business requirements while leveraging cloud-native services to optimize performance and cost. The book emphasizes adopting the software solution architect mindset, guiding you through essential architecture patterns and best practices crucial for building scalable, high-performance applications. Chapters highlight minimizing development overhead by utilizing managed services and ensuring your architecture addresses both functional and non-functional demands. This concise guide suits professionals tasked with designing or enhancing cloud-based systems looking for a practical framework to improve performance efficiently.
Rust for Systems Programming offers a distinctive perspective on leveraging Rust to build high-performance software with safety and efficiency at its core. This book guides you through Rust’s advanced features like ownership, concurrency, and zero-cost abstractions, equipping you to tackle demanding systems programming challenges. It addresses both foundational concepts and practical techniques—such as profiling and network programming—that benefit developers aiming to write reliable, optimized software. Whether you’re experienced in systems programming or new to Rust, this resource serves as a roadmap for unlocking Rust’s potential in the field of software performance.
Drawing from a deep understanding of systems programming, Bryden Hank presents a focused look at Rust's capabilities for crafting high-performance software. You’ll explore Rust’s distinctive ownership model and concurrency features, gaining concrete skills in memory management and safe parallelism. The book provides clear examples, such as interfacing with C and optimizing algorithms, making it practical for developers moving beyond basics. If you’re interested in reliable, efficient systems software, this guide offers direct insight without unnecessary complexity, though absolute beginners might find some concepts challenging without prior programming experience.
Matt Heusser is the Managing Director at Excelon Development, recognized internationally for his work in software delivery, DevOps, and testing across industries like fintech and automotive. His pioneering development of the world's first multi-user distributed spreadsheet and leadership in project rescue initiatives, including one for BMW's board, underscore his expertise. Driven by a commitment to push technological boundaries, Matt co-authored this book to share his deep insights on software testing, offering readers strategies grounded in real-world experience and the latest industry challenges.
Matt Heusser is the Managing Director at Excelon Development, where he specializes in Software Delivery, DevOps, and Testing across diverse industries such as software, fintech, and automotive. With a Master's degree from Grand Valley State University and a remarkable track record, Matt has earned international recognition through awards and delivered keynote speeches that have left lasting impressions. Matt's legacy in the tech world includes pioneering the world's first multi-user distributed spreadsheet, a groundbreaking innovation that predates even Google Sheets. His expertise extends to project rescue initiatives, including one initiated by BMW's board of directors, where he demonstrated his exceptional leadership and problem-solving skills. In addition to his hands-on contributions, Matt has effectively managed API test development teams and provided invaluable support to developers. Matt Heusser's career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology, delivering outstanding results, and inspiring the next generation of innovators in the software and technology landscape.
This book challenges the common notion that software testing is mainly about automation by emphasizing its human-driven, creative nature. Matt Heusser and Michael Larsen, both seasoned experts with deep industry experience, guide you through crafting testing strategies that go beyond tools, focusing on asking the right "What if?" questions and prioritizing impactful test ideas. You’ll learn about diverse testing types including accessibility, functional, and performance testing, with practical examples and case studies illustrating how to blend intuition with methodology. If you’re involved in software development or DevOps and want to elevate your testing skills to a strategic level, this book offers a clear pathway without oversimplifying the complexities involved.
This AI-created book on future-proof software architecture is crafted based on your current understanding and specific interests in upcoming performance demands. You share your background, skill level, and which aspects of architecture you want to explore, and this book is written to match exactly those needs. It focuses on new discoveries and research expected to shape software systems by 2025, giving you a resource that aligns closely with your goals and learning preferences.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
This tailored book explores the evolving landscape of software architecture with a focus on preparing systems to meet the performance demands expected in 2025. It examines emerging architectural patterns, innovations in scalability, and advances in performance tuning, all tailored to your background and interests. By concentrating on the latest developments and discoveries, this book offers a personalized pathway through complex new challenges, helping you focus on what truly matters for your unique goals. Through this approach, it reveals how to anticipate future performance bottlenecks and design systems that remain resilient and efficient as technologies evolve.
Cary Millsap, who spent the 1990s consulting for Oracle Corporation and later founded Method R Corporation, brings unparalleled expertise to this book. His career includes building and training elite performance teams and authoring the award-winning Optimizing Oracle Performance. This background equips him to explain complex performance concepts with clarity, helping you understand system behavior and improve software speed confidently. His commitment to educating IT professionals shines through, making this book a solid resource for anyone working with software performance.
Cary Millsap spent the 1990s learning a lifetime's worth of technical and political lessons as a consultant for Oracle Corporation. By 1999, he had amassed an impressive personal track record with about a hundred different customers, while building and training a team of 85 elite performance specialists that Oracle deployed to help hundreds more customers worldwide. In 2004, he wrote Optimizing Oracle Performance, for which he and researcher Jeff Holt were named Oracle Magazine's 2004 Authors of the Year. In 2008, he founded Method R Corporation, which served ultra-high-profile customers and created the world's first software system for managing, mining, and manipulating thousands of Oracle trace files. Over his career, Cary has educated thousands of information technology professionals through his commitment to writing, teaching, and speaking at public events.
2023·350 pages·Software Performance, System Optimization, Performance Analysis, Root Cause Analysis, Process Improvement
Cary Millsap's decades of hands-on experience with Oracle performance consulting shape this insightful exploration into system optimization. You gain a clear understanding of why systems slow down, learning to identify root causes and efficiently address them through detailed case studies and practical vignettes. Chapters illustrate how performance is both a mindset and a skill, guiding you to develop consistent approaches to diagnosing and fixing issues. This book is especially valuable if your work depends on software speed and you want to build confidence in performance troubleshooting without getting lost in jargon.
Ajay Reddy Yeruva brings over ten years of IT experience as a Senior Software Engineer and Observability Subject Matter Expert, currently with Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers America Inc. His deep involvement with emerging technologies and role as a judge in global observability awards gives him unique authority. Driven to share practical expertise, he authored this guide to help practitioners fully leverage Grafana for performance visualization and monitoring, making it an invaluable resource for professionals tackling complex observability challenges.
by Ajay Reddy Yeruva, Vivek Basavegowda Ramu··You?
About the Author
Ajay Reddy Yeruva has an IT career that spans more than 10 years. He has been an Observability Subject Matter Expert using new and emerging technologies in the Information Technology field. Currently working as a Senior Software Engineer at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers America Inc., he is also a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a Chartered IT Professional of the British Computer Society (BCS). He has served as an Observability Subject Matter Expert Judge in multiple Global Award Competitions and has made significant contributions as a mentor, guiding and inspiring students and professionals across 14 countries.
The breakthrough moment came when Ajay Reddy Yeruva, with over a decade in IT and recognized as an Observability Subject Matter Expert, unveiled how to harness Grafana’s full potential for data visualization and performance monitoring. This book walks you through crafting detailed dashboards, setting up alerts, and analyzing logs with Grafana Loki, alongside specialized topics like Kubernetes monitoring and AIOps integration. You’ll gain concrete skills to track application performance, optimize user experience, and implement performance testing dashboards. If you’re involved in DevSecOps, Site Reliability, or Performance Testing, this guide provides hands-on knowledge tailored to your operational challenges.
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Conclusion
Across these seven books, a few clear themes emerge: the increasing importance of deep platform knowledge like JVM internals, the integration of performance with software architecture, and the rise of observability as a critical discipline. Together, they paint a picture of a field moving beyond isolated optimizations toward holistic, data-driven performance engineering.
If you want to stay ahead of trends or the latest research, start with "JVM Performance Engineering" and "Software Architecture with C# 12 and .NET 8" for foundational insights. For cutting-edge implementation, combine "End-to-End Observability with Grafana" with "Software Performance Architecture Master Class" to bridge monitoring and architectural decisions.
Alternatively, you can create a personalized Software Performance book to apply the newest strategies and latest research to your specific situation. These books offer the most current 2025 insights and can help you stay ahead of the curve.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?
Start with "JVM Performance Engineering" if you're focused on Java systems, or "Software Architecture with C# 12 and .NET 8" for enterprise .NET applications. These provide strong foundations in performance relevant to many projects.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to Software Performance?
Some books like "Rust for Systems Programming" and "Software Performance Architecture Master Class" expect familiarity with programming and architecture. Beginners might prefer starting with "How to Make Things Faster" for an approachable introduction.
What's the best order to read these books?
Begin with foundational concepts in "JVM Performance Engineering" or "Software Architecture with C# 12 and .NET 8," then explore specialized topics like observability in "End-to-End Observability with Grafana" and testing strategies later.
Do these books assume I already have experience in Software Performance?
Most do assume some background in software development or architecture, as they focus on practical, in-depth performance optimization rather than introductory theory.
Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?
"How to Make Things Faster" offers practical troubleshooting lessons applicable across many software environments, making it a great resource for immediate performance improvements.
How can I tailor these expert insights to my specific Software Performance challenges?
While these expert books provide valuable knowledge, you can create a personalized Software Performance book tailored to your background, goals, and project needs for focused, up-to-date guidance that complements these works.
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