Customer Reviews

C++ Inside & Out/Covers Draft ANSI C++

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It was my second C++ book after Russion edition of "The C++ Programming Language" by Bjarne Stroustrup, and first programming book in English. I found this book as the best possible. It gives the thorough understanding of ideas and programming technique of C++ and is extremely interesting to read. While it is easier then Stroustrup's book, it covers in depth many advanced topics like C++ Templates. For me, this book is better then the next Eckel's book - "Thinking in C++". The best choice to start and continue with C++ for serious reader.

I bought this book as my first C++ book two years ago. Believe me or not, with my solid C backgroud, I felt quite hard reading through the book chapter by chapter. It focuses on inside and out of C++, not a whole lot of OOD concept for a procedure-oriented software developer. Two years later, I am now continuing to explore the C++ world. It makes more sense to me ever than before.

Overall speaking, the pro for this book is that it pretty much covers bolts and nuts of C++; the con is that its sample codes are somewhat cubersome. I would rate it as a reference for experienced readers, not for some novices.

I got this book when it was originally published, and it looks like a 2nd edition never appeared. That doesn't matter, the information in this book still holds up today, written from a programmer's perspective. This book was written before the currently trendy "OO designer" era began, so it offers a clear description of the language features without any flavor-of-the-month misconceptions. If you've read a few C++ books and come away feeling confused, this book will help.

Whew!!

What a relief, a writing style that communicates to the many facets of the day in the life of a real programmer. Your words have been a giant breath of fresh air, and I appreciate your approach to all of your topics.

I have also read your Thinking in ____ books, and you have consistently crafted tools that act as beacons of light in the vast array of literary babble surrounding object oriented analysis and design (OOAD).

As you know there are multiple dimensions that contribute to good software design, and the design goals of any language is to aide in as many of these multiple dimensions as possible.

Many authors have attempted to write books to speak to the multiple dimensions, but your pioneering approach to a more holistic perspective is both refreshing and fills a deep void in the software engineering community. I appreciate your balance between language semantics, usage patterns, levels of abstraction, and your early attention to the methods movement, such as extreme programming.

I place your books on my bookshelf right next to
1. The C++ Programming Language, Bjarne Stroustrup
2. C++ Primer, Stanley Lippman and Josee Lajoie
3. Effective C++, Scott Meyers

I frequently use your books to speak to the psychology of subscribing to the OOAD approach and have found that your approach is more pragmatic than most. This translates into holding a new programmer's interest long enough to ensure that we will follow similar design philosophies earlier in the life cycle of a project.

Thank you for your attention to focus, quality, and insight.