Which c++ book should I read after finishing 'accelerated c++' ?

Question

hi,

I've just finished reading 'accelerated c++', which i really enjoyed, but i am wondering which book will make a good 'next step' ? I would like a book that emphasizes writing idiomatic c++ over and above simply learning language features (in the style of accelerated c++)

thanks,

Answer 1

You should definitely look at Bruce Eckel`s "Thinking in C++", both volumes
first volume
second one
books are really-really useful and simply a joy to read

Answer 2

Effective C++: 55 Specific Ways to Improve Your Programs and Design

Answer 3

The C++ Programming Language: Bjarne Stroustrup

Answer 4

Exceptional C++ by Herb Sutter

I highly recommend the chapter on the Pimpl Idiom, use it all the time. eg.

header file
Class BlahImp;
Class Blah
{
public:
   void a();
private:
   BlahImp *m_imp;
};

cpp file
// ctor and dtor of Blah new and delete m_imp

class BlahImp
{
public:
    void a()
    {
     // private implementation of a() that stops other types and classes being exposed
    }
};

void Blah::a()
{
    m_imp->a();
}

Contents: Exceptional C++ contains 47 Items organized into eight major sections:

• Generic programming and the C++ standard library.
• Exception safety issues and techniques.
• Class design and inheritance
• Compiler firewalls and the Pimpl Idiom.
• Name lookup, namespaces, and the Interface Principle.
• Memory management.
• Traps, pitfalls, and anti-idioms.
• Miscellaneous topics.

Answer 5

I would strongly recommend The C++ Standard Library, to get a really good understanding of how the library works and should be used. And by the same (co)author, C++ Templates: The Completec Guide to get a deeper understanding of the use of templates in C++.

Answer 6

I think you should do some practice before reading more. Programming is a skill which is better learn by doing instead of reading. I'm not really knowledgeable about books for beginners. I've commented above the propositions made. I summarize here:

• The C++ Programming language and The C++ Standard library are good choices, especially if you already know programming. As they are references, you'll keep referring to them for a long time.

• Exceptional C++ and C++ Templates, the Complete Guide are good books, still current, but if your only experience with C++ is AC++, they are probably too advanced for you. Even more if you lack programming experience.

• Thinking in C++ was a good book in its first edition but is is dated now: it is one of the finest example of the "old fashioned teaching of C++" when AC++ aims to show the "modern way of teaching C++". I haven't read the second edition but by looking at the table of content, it hasn't been reworked in depth enough to be what you search.

• Effective C++ is aimed at the intermediate level programmer. It could be too advanced for you. The edition I've (which isn't the latest) suffers from the same problem as Thinking in C++, it is quite dated. It is divided in items, some of them are still current, some are better skipped. In that series, Effective STL is probably nearer to what you want.

Answer 7

C++ Coding Standards by Alexandrescu and Sutter is a good follow-up. It's not too technical, but has a lot of professional advice for C++ programming.

Answer 8

Modern C++ Design by Alexandrescu. Trying to understand that book will force you to get deep into the language. :-)

Answer 9

you can use together these two books, C++ Primer by Stanley B. Lippman and C++ Primer Answer Book by Clovis L. Tondo

Answer 10

Start coding!

After that, Exceptional C++ by Herb Sutter and The C++ Programming Language by Bjarne Stroustrup.