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I think so. A lot of the recommendations are based on research and, at the very least, it helps strengthen knowledge that you may already have. I learnt a lot from Code Complete when I read it.

It is also an easy read - its not a hard academic book.

I'm a working developer who has read Code Complete. It's definitely worth reading. It's the only book on my bookshelf at work that isn't internal documentation or my own notebooks.

I read the first edition (haven't read the 2nd yet) in 2000, and it really shaped the way I've written code since then, even though I work primarily in untyped web languages like Ruby and CFML.

I didn't think it was ever worth reading. Steve Maguire's "Writing Solid Code" was much better, though TBH it's been so long I have no idea how it holds up.

I've read both, and while Code Complete covers a LOT of ground, I like Maguire's style and his practical information. I wouldn't want to be without Code Complete, but Writing Solid Code (and his followup, Debugging the Development Process) has plenty of decent info. And some dated.

Much of Maquire's coverage is VERY C++ centered, so people using anything else are going to skip a bunch. It's a short book, 250 or so pages, and an easy read.