The best reference for beginners

books:


	• The C++ Standard Library: A Tutorial and Reference Nicolai M. Josuttis Addison-Wesley Professional, 1999 - 832 pages average customer review:based on 92 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

A Solid Reference

This is an excellent reference book on STL containers and algorithms, from the perspective of an intermediate-level programmer (self-taught, two years' C++). I use this reference every day - the hardcover helps it lie nicely on my desk - perhaps in part of what I'm doing: plain(?) C++, not Windows MFC, using the boost::bind from the (freely downloadable) C++ Boost Libraries to write functors (objects that define the call operator) for use as predicates in calling STL algorithms on STL containers. So yes, in my limited experience, Josuttis's book contributes to a happy level of productivity and lets me draw on the STL because it is part of a package deal: Meyer's Effective STL (e.g. item 43: prefer STL algorithm calls to hand-written loops, so as to improve code readability and speed), the Boost::bind library, and Josuttis's reference. If boost doesn't appeal, in chapter 8.3ff Josuttis does supply source code for supplementary composing function objects. With neither those nor boost, any STL algorithm using a functor parameter would likely not merit the learning time, and I'd have STL containers, iterators, and more hand-written loops.

One odd thing: the reference layout has worked well enough for me that I haven't felt the need to read from cover to cover, because the index & table of contents & occasional apt cross-reference almost always put me in the 1-5 pages that answer my question. I browsed another STL book in the bookstore today & wondered, why haven't I come across so helpful a description of user-defined iterators in Josuttis? When I got home, now with question in mind, I found the same information in Josuttis within a minute. I can readily imagine advanced users having questions not addressed in Josuttis, but at present his succinct STL pitfall flags, cautions & workarounds pretty much keep me from STL grief.

OK, so intriguing design concepts are not what this book is about; but the efficiency and thoroughness mean that his writing style is not plain, it's lucid *smile*.

for more information click here

THE book for learning the STL

This book is the best tutorial/reference available for the C++ Standard Template Library. The STL contains some of the most useful features of the C++ library, and without a strong knowledge of the STL you will end up writing a lot of code that already exists. Most books said to be a tutorial and reference usually do a poor job as a tutorial, and provide too much fluff for a reference. This book is the exception. If you want to learn the STL, or need a good reference, this is the only book you will want to have on your desk.

for more information click here

The best reference for beginners

as the title says, it is the best reference book on STL for beginners, once your are very comfortable with the concepts the book represent and C++ seems like a piece of cake, then you may want to get a book which gets deeper into the language.
Many examples is a plus, one minus is that it has many errors which is listed on the book web site that you can download and keep hand, be repaired to fix an error in every 10 or so pages

for more information click here

*THE* book for STL

I purchased this book to learn STL over 2 years ago, after fumbling through a couple others on the subject. Not only was this the most clear for learning STL, it is one of my most used reference books to this date. Well written and organized.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, page 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

hot

not?

What's your opinion?

Write a review and share your thoughts!

recommendations

Linux, Game programming & Design-pattern books.
Quantifying and visualizing the universe
Computer Science Skills in OR
software books I value
C++ Books

search for books
c++ standard, library, reference, standard, tutorial

Impressum / about us