Title: My Recommended Books Part 1

Regulars readers of accu-general may recall that a while back it was suggested that I put aside my trusty Sams Publishing books and buy a few good core books that would stand me in good stead and make me a better software developer.

A lengthy discussion followed this statement while I tried to ascertain which books were considered by the majority to be both 'good' and 'core'. Eventually a list was decided apon and it was then decided that I should write an article listing the 'ACCU Definitive Books'. Well, the list grew rather long and there were many books that served the same purpose so the 'definitive' book list became more of a 'recommended' book list with a "Buy any of these books and you will not go far wrong" sort of a feel.

This particular list covers C++ books, general programming books and Microsoft Windows Programming books. The reason for this is that this is the field in which I am currently working.

Below you will find all the relevant information for each book title, author, publisher, ISBN and price as well as the text from the back cover and the reason the book made it into the list.

When I went back to find the reasons that each book had been recommended I was only able to find specific reasons for a few of the books. Every book on the list made it because it was enthusiastically recommended by more than one person. For the books without specific reasons I have dug into the ACCU Book Reviews for relevant quotes and included those.

From the back cover...

Written by Bjarne Stroustrup, the creator of C++, this is the world's most trusted and widely read book on C++. The result is complete, authoritative coverage of the C++ language, its standard library, and key design techniques.

Based on the ANSI/ISO C++ standard, The C++ Programming Language provides current and comprehensive coverage of all C++ language features and standard library components. For example:- abstract classes as interfaces class hierarchies for object-oriented programming templates as the basis for type-safe generic software exceptions for regular error handling namespaces for modularity in large-scale software run-time type identification for loosely coupled systems the C subset of C++ for C compatibility and system-level work standard containers and algorithms standard strings, I/O streams, and numerics C compatibility, internationalisation, and exception safety Bjarne Stroustrup makes C++ even more accessible to those new to the language, while adding advanced information and techniques that even expert C++ programmers will find invaluable.

Why this book made it into the list...

From the back cover...

Highlights Clear, practical and example-driven coverage of the Standard Library, with emphasis on the containers, iterators and algorithms (also known as the Standard Template Library), the string class and iostreams.

A detailed look at the new features of Standard C++; exception handling, run-time type identification, namespaces, the built-in bool type, and new-style cast-notation, with advice on how to effectively use them.

A thorough introduction of the advanced language features, such as templates, classes, and inheritance in support of generic programming, object-oriented programming and object-based programming. An appendix that can be used as a quick reference for the generic algorithms, describing their behaviour, and providing concrete examples of how to use them.

Why this book made it into the list...

From the back cover...

The C++ standard library provides a set of common classes and interfaces that greatly extend the core C++ language. The library, however, is not self-explanatory. To make full use of its components-and to benefit from their power-you need a resource that does far more than list the classes and their functions.

The C++ Standard Library not only provides comprehensive documentation of each library component, it also offers clearly written explanations of complex concepts, describes the practical programming details needed for effective use, and gives example after example of working code.

This thoroughly up-to-date book reflects the newest elements of the C++ standard library incorporated into the full ANSI/ISO C++ language standard. In particular, the text focuses on the Standard Template Library (STL), examining containers, iterators, function objects, and STL algorithms. You will also find detailed coverage of special containers, strings, numerical classes, internationalization, and the IOStream library. Each component is presented in depth, with an introduction to its purpose and design, examples, a detailed description, traps and pitfalls, and the exact signature and definition of its classes and their functions. An insightful introduction to fundamental concepts and an overview of the library will help bring newcomers quickly up to speed.

Comprehensive, detailed, readable, and practical, The C++ Standard Library is the C++ resource you will turn to again and again.

Why this book made it into the list...

From the back cover...

C++ described the rules of thumb employed by the experts--the things they almost always do or almost always avoid doing--to produce clear, correct, efficient code. Each of this books 50 guidelines summarizes a way to write better C++, and the accompanying discussions are backed by specific examples. For this new edition, Meyers reworked every guideline in the book. The result is exceptional adherence to C++s Draft International Standard, current compiler technology, and the latest insights into the use of C++ for real-world applications. Highlights of Effective C++, Second Edition include-

Expert guidance on object-oriented design, class design, and the proper use of inheritance An examination of the standard C++ library, including how the Standard Template Library and classes like string and vector affect the structure of well-written programs Discussions of late-breaking language features like in-class constant initialisations, namespaces, and member templates Wisdom usually possessed by only the most experienced developers Effective C++ continues to be essential reading for every developer working with C++.

Why this book made it into the list...

From the back cover...

"I heartily recommend Effective C++, to anyone who aspires to mastery of C++ at the intermediate level or above." - The C/C++ Users Journal From the author of the indispensable Effective C++, here are 35 new ways to improve your programs and designs. Drawing on years of experience, Meyers explains how to write software that is more effective- more efficient, more robust, more consistent, more portable, and more reusable. In short, how to write C++ software that's just plain better.

More Effective C++ includes-

If your compilers don't yet support these features, Meyers shows you how to get the job done without them. More Effective C++ is filled with pragmatic, down-to-earth advice you'll use every day. Like Effective C++ before it, More Effective C++ is essential reading for anyone working with C++.

Why this book made it into the list...

From the back cover...

C++'s Standard Template Library is revolutionary, but learning to use it well has always been a challenge. Until now. In this book, best selling author Scott Meyers reveals the critical rules of thumb employed by the experts--the things they almost always do or almost always avoid doing--to get the most out of the library.

Other books describe what's in the STL. Effective STL shows you how to use it. Each of the book's 50 guidelines is backed by Meyers' legendary analysis and incisive examples, so you'll learn not only what to do, but also when to do it--and why.

Highlights of Effective STL include: Advice on choosing among standard STL containers (such as vector and list), non-standard STL containers (such as hash_set and hash_map), and non-STL containers (like bitset). Techniques to maximise the efficiency of the STL and the programs that use it. Insights into the behaviour of iterators, function objects, and allocators, including things you should not do. Guidance for the proper use of algorithms and member functions whose names are the same (eg: find), but whose actions differ in subtle (but important) ways. Discussions of potential portability problems, including straightforward ways to avoid them.

Like Meyers' previous books, Effective STL is filled with proven wisdom that comes only from experience. Its clear, concise, penetrating style makes it an essential resource for every STL programmer.

Why this book made it into the list...

From the back cover...

Exceptional C++ shows by example how to go about sound software engineering in standard C++. Do you enjoy solving thorny C++ problems and puzzles? Do you relish writing robust and extensible code? Then take a few minutes and challenge yourself with some tough C++ design and programming problems.

The puzzles and problems in Exceptional C++ not only entertain, they will help you hone your skills to become the sharpest C++ programmer you can be. Many of these problems are culled from the famous Guru of the Week feature of the Internet newsgroup comp.lang.c++.moderated, expanded and updated to conform to the official ISO/ANSI C++ Standard.

Each problem is rated according to difficulty and is designed to illustrate subtle programming mistakes or design considerations. After you've had a chance to attempt a solution yourself, the book then dissects the code, illustrates what went wrong, and shows how the problem can be fixed. Covering a broad range of C++ topics, the problems and solutions address critical issues such as-

Try your skills against the C++ masters and come away with the insight and experience to create more efficient, effective, robust, and portable C++ code.

Why this book made it into the list...

From the back cover...

This text contains coverage of optimisation in both single and multi threaded environments. It emphasizes generic programming and using the C++ Standard Library.

Why this book made it into the list...

From the back cover...

From the Production editor -

Well you will have to wait for next time, I just ran out of space.