C++: The Complete Reference (Paperback)

by Herbert Schildt (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Author Herb Schildt is the world's best-selling C++ author with more than 2 million books sold. The most complete coverage of the newly updated ANSI C++ Standard--including updated material on the STL, namespace naming methods, an new classes. An easy-to-follow, three-part organization: I) Description of the root of C++; II) Detailed coverage of C++'s OOP components and classes; III) Effective C++ software application development.

From the Back Cover
Schildt's Classic C++Reference - Now Updated to include the new features of the C++Standard.

The International Standard for C++ added many new libraries, keywords, and features to C++ -- Learn about them all in this completely revised and updated Third Edition of Herb Schildt's outstanding classic. In carefully organized chapters, you'll find expertly-crafted explanations, insider tips, and hundreds of examples that describe and demonstrate every aspect of C++. And just as you'd expect, everything is presented in the clear, uncompromising style that has made Herb the choice of millions.

Whether you are a newcomer just learning C++ or an experienced pro coming up to speed on the new International Standard, you'll find C++: The Complete Reference a lasting resource that will help you maximize your programming efforts. You'd expect nothing less from Herb Schildt, the world's leading programming author. Covering the entire C++ language, the book is organized into five parts: the C subset -- foundations of C++, C++, C++ Object Oriented features, the C++ Function Library, the C++ Class Library, and Applications.

You'll find these topics and more inside:
* Classes and objects
* Constructors and deconstructors
* Virtual functions and inheritance
* The modern forms of new and delete
* Function overloading
* Operator overloading
* Runtime type ID (RTTI)
* Namespaces
* Templates
* Exception handling
* The new casting operators
* The new I/O library
* The Standard Template Library (STL)
* Algorithms, iterators, and predicates
* The principles of Object Oriented Programming

Product Details

• Paperback: 1008 pages
• Publisher: Osborne/McGraw-Hill; 3rd edition (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0078824761
• ISBN-13: 978-0078824760
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.3 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #794,823 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best programming book I've ever read, April 13, 2002

By	"jasfcb" (Cameron Park, CA United States) - See all my reviews

A little background: I've been programming professionally for 3 years now using VB, SQL, HTML, JavaScript, XML and occasional C. I would consider myself at intermediate/journyman level, striving to be Guru level (I'm perhaps there in VB, but not the other languages). Now my job is calling for more usage of C/C++ and thus I am striving to get at more than just a basic level with these languages. This background information is important because different books are appropriate for different experience/proficiency levels and thus someone can gage my review to their needs or to their experience level.

When I was converting to being a programmer, one of my courses was on C. The text was "A Book On C". This was probably the worst programming book I've ever used - it was poorly indexed, gave [poor] examples (for the beginner) and was difficult to read. I now own a copy of K & R's "The C Programming Language", which is much better and regarded by many to be the best C book of all. I like it, but it's not the best learning book, being terse and sometimes a bit confusing in it's explainations. K&R is an authoritative refernece. I've also thumbed through extensively Stroustrups' "The C++ Programming Language" at the bookstore. Again, this is a definetive reference, but not a good learning book. These books are written by and meant for experienced and/or advanced C/C++ programmers.

On the flip side of the coin are the "...For Dummies", "The Complete Idiots guide to..." and "Teach Yourself..." series books, which I've thumbed through the cooresponding C books at the bookstore. These books are good primers and are easy to understand. However, they are incomplete in their coverage of their subject and are of spotty quality.

So where's the happy medium? The answer is simple: "C++: The Complete Reference". This book has extremely thorough coverage of the subject (not as thorough as Stroustrups' book, but thorough nonetheless) and is extremely easy to understand. I love the presentation - it's simple, practical, to the point and quite enjoyable. When I read about a subject, say a function pointer or inheritance, and compile it's example, I have fun doing it and I feel I come away with a solid understanding without risidual confusion (risidual confusion sometimes occurs with K&R or Stroustrup). Also, when I want to look up something that I need to use, say a library function, I can find it immediately in the index, turn to the various pages that are referenced, and be able to use the function immediately and effectively.

I love the Osborne "Complete Reference" format for it's oganizational and presentation styles and I love Herb Schildts writing. He's a C/C++ guru (having been on the ANSI/ISO C++ standardization committee) and posesses excellent communications and teaching skills. He really understands the perspective of someone trying to learn C++ or improve on their C++ skills. There's a very good reason why he's the worlds highest selling C++ author.

This book is great for beginning and intermediate C++ programmers (and even good for C++ gurus as an easy and quick reference). It wouldn't be good for someone brand new to programming (these people should stick with beginning programming books).

Also consider what a tremendous value this book is. ... And the similarily priced "...For Dummies" and "Teach Yourself..." books don't contain nearly as much as this book. With this book you get an incredible amount of bang for your buck.

I can't rave enough about this book. It's thorough, well organized, easy to understand, enjoyable to read, extremely effective, and an absolute bargain. It's a must have for all levels of C++ programmers.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best C++ reference book, November 26, 2000

By A Customer

I have read many books by Schildt and they were all great, but his command of C++ and his programming expertise shine very brightly in this excellent work. This book covers the entire C++ language and its libraries. It is completely up-to-date with the C++ standard. One thing that I really like is its in-depth coverage of the STL. Also, Schildt's discussion of copy constructors and operator overloading are the best that I have seen anywhere. I strongly recommend this book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK at first, but not a good reference book, June 30, 2001

By	J. Karp (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This was a great book when I was starting out, but as I began work on maintaining code, many times I would need to look up a particular standard keyword or set of keywords, and they wouldn't be listed.

Also, I have been reading more technical books on C++, and they would mention some aspect of the language offhand that I wasn't aware of, that they considered fundemental. I would look back at this book to refresh myself, and it wouldn't be mentioned.