C/C++ Programmer's Reference, Third Edition (Paperback)

by Herbert Schildt (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Like having a brain in your back pocket. Provides clear explanations of all C and C++ programming syntax, keywords, commands, functions, and class libraries. Since no programmer can remember the precise syntax of every C/C++ element, this quick-access guide assists programmers in implementing efficient solutions on demand.

From the Back Cover
C/C++ Essentials and Syntax on One Handy Reference!

Get a wealth of core C/C++ information in this well-organized fingertip reference. Herbert Schildt, the world's leading programming author, has revised his perennial best-seller to reflect the latest information on ANSI/ISO Standard C and C++, including C99, the new standard for C. Inside, you'll find clear explanations of all C and C++ programming syntax, keywords, commands, functions, and class libraries. No programmer can remember the precise syntax of every C/C++ element--now you don't have to because it's all here. With this quick-access guide on hand, you'll be able to implement efficient solutions to all of your programming challenges rapidly.

• Essential C/C++ syntax, keywords, classes, commands, and functions
• Full coverage of both C and C++, including the new C99 Standard
• Packed with programming tips to help speed your work

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 3 edition (December 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072227222
• ISBN-13: 978-0072227222
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #776,148 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC REFERENCE!!!, September 9, 2000

By	JP - See all my reviews

This review is from: C/C++ Programmer's Reference (Paperback)

I agree, the first guy was clueless. This is a fantastic reference. The key word here is reference; this book does not teach you C++, nor does it try to. It is like a dictionary of the language. This is the book to look stuff up in when writing real code.

I like the style of this book much better than that of the "In a Nutshell" reference books, so I plan to get the Java version of this book ("Java 2 Programmer's Reference") instead of "Java in a Nutshell". Stuff is much easier to find.

Most compilers come with their own reference on disk, but they usually mix platform dependent stuff with platform independent stuff. I need my code to be as portable as possible, so I prefer to look stuff up in here.

It's cheap. It's great. Buy it.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for the "off-liner"., September 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: C/C++ Programmer's Reference (Programmers pocket references) (Paperback)

A quick reference indeed... a little too quick for my taste. The book is also very bulky on the inside (it seems as if the font was incresased in order to take up space). If you are the type of programmer that can spend the entire day with the computer turned on, this book would be a horrible waste of money. You could get better, and more in-depth info with the online references that most of todays compilers include. But if you're like me, and you often read and check code when your computer is off, or you're on the road and forgot the declaration to some function and don't want to turn on the laptop. This is a very nice book. Small (fits into a suitcase nicely) and "to the point" (very "to the point") info on C and C++'s syntax, basic functions, STLs, container classes, etc. I'm an amateur programmer that didn't want to spend alot of money on a huge book, and this turned out to be an OK buy. If you're looking for more in depth info on both C and C++. I have heard that Harbison and Steel's "C: A Reference Manual" is a great buy for the C programmer, and "C++ The Complete Reference" from Herb Schildt is also nice. All in all... this book gets 3-1/2 stars... for its utility on the road/offline, or when you don't have an online reference manual. Cheap too.!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Damn close to perfect reference book, December 29, 2003

By	dondo (Issaquah, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: C/C++ Programmer's Reference (Paperback)

As an experienced programmer, this book is simply ideal for me. Whether to remind me of the ordering of parameters to functions or to recall the subtleties of using the STL, it's all there.

The book is thoroughly cross-referenced, has an excellent index, and is well organized -- it can be meaningfully browsed end to end, an extraordinary accomplishment. Mr. Schildt describes each entry concisely, thoroughly, and in a completely readable way. Consider for example the following description of the "static" keyword:
"static is a data type modifier that creates permanent storage for the local variable that it precedes. This enables the specified variable to maintain its value between function calls, for example.
"static can also be used to declare global variables. In this case, it limits the scope of the variable that it modifies to the file in which it is declared.
"In C++, when static is used on a class data member, it causes only one copy of that member to be shared by all objects of its class."
That is without compare the cleanest description of the keyword I've ever seen. This is a typical entry; it's all there, with enough detail that I recall exactly what is going on.

I am amused by the various bad reviews which complain that this is not a "complete" reference. It is exactly the judicious editing and concision which makes this so useful to me. My only complaint is in fact the opposite; that in some cases it goes into too much detail. There are sporadic "Programming Tips" scattered throughout, and I find each of these to be a waste of time in a reference text. These would seem more appropriate in an introductory text.

In short, this is an extremely useful reference for the experienced developer.