C++ programming books

[madox]

Hi folks,

I have started a new job recently (as mentioned in a similar thread), have found my self needing to learn C++ programming, and am looking for advice on good learning resources.

The sole software developer in my department has just resigned, and I have been asked to take over a section of his job. I have previously done some ANSII C programming, and Java programming in uni, but not for a while, and not really to the extent of a software engineer/programmer. My recent programming experience is more in assembly, and most of my (limited) experience is in hardware.

I will be developing applications and drivers for Windows CE based embedded systems.

My plan is to spend some time learning C++ in a general way, before delving into the application.

I am looking for at least one good printed text, from which to base most of my work, and will of course use online references as well. I think finding good online references should be easy enough, but if anyone could recommend some really good books, that would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

madox

edit- spelling

[Doug Wellington]

Windows CE, eh?  For CE programming, don't overlook the Microsoft Press books - they are very good.  I used to write programs for Windows 98, and I still have the books by Petzold, Prosise and Richter...

As for C++ itself, my book collection may be a bit dated since I started C++ programming in the early 1990's ;) but I started with Stan Lippman's C++ Primer.  You may also like Deitel and Deitel's "C++ How to Program".  I also have Stroustrup's C++ Programming Language for reference.

There are a bunch of other books that I've used off and on over the years:

Scott Meyers: Effective C++

Scott Meyers: More Effective C++

James Coplien: Advanced C++ Programming Styles and Idioms

Koenig & Moo: Ruminations on C++

Lippman: C++ Gems

When you want to learn more about the history and design of the language, check out:

Stroustrup: The Design and Evolution of C++

Lippman: Inside the C++ Object Model

[madox]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the references. The Microsoft Press books definitely sound interesting. I will look them up. I am planning on signing up for MSDN membership too.

Stroustrup's The C++ Programming Language has now been recommended to me by a few people.

Just for the record, if anyone else is interested in this, here a few other references which have been recommended to me:

C++ Programming For Technology, Cooper, Boyer

Thinking In C++, Volumes 1 and 2, Bruce Eckel

C++ In Plain English, Brian Overland

Cooper and Boyer's book is of interest to me, as it deals with electronics applications. Eckel offers his texts as free e-books, and also hosts them online in html, and these also seem pretty decent. I have used Overland's book on ANSII C, and found it handy to have on my desk as a dictionary of functions; I expect his C++ book will be similar.

Thanks again Doug. Your references are much appreciated.

madox

P.S. Is your background in both hardware and software development? You seem to have experience in a few fields; mechanical design, machine tools, software development, electronics,... You seem quite the versatile technologist. I'm guessing you're an Engineer by profession?

[Doug Wellington]

Stroustrup's The C++ Programming Language has now been recommended to me by a few people.

Well, he *DID* come up with the language, after all...  ;)  A couple of our CS types here at work got a chance to go see him talk at a recent seminar, so they're now all converts.  Of course, there are a couple other guys here who hate C++, so the hallway conversations have been quite interesting!

P.S. Is your background in both hardware and software development? You seem to have experience in a few fields; mechanical design, machine tools, software development, electronics,... You seem quite the versatile technologist. I'm guessing you're an Engineer by profession?

Well, I always wanted to be an engineer...  :)

I started out as a mechanic back in the 1970's, and then worked as a machinist for a couple years after a stint in the USAF.  I worked my way up to general manager of the shop, and realized that we had grown too big for the owner to keep everything in his head, so I bought a computer and started tracking inventory and production schedules.  The shop was overextended and not making deadlines, plus I realized that I preferred working with the computer, so I quit the machine shop in 1987 and moved to Tucson to start my computer career, working my way up from installer, to programmer, to system administrator.

A few years ago, I realized that I really missed the tangibility of working with my hands, making things, and a Woodcraft store just happened to be opening up a couple miles from my house, so I bought a bunch of big tools (jointer, planer, table saw, etc) and started making sawdust.  About the time I was putting together my wood shop, I also decided to get back into music electronics.  (I forgot to mention that I had started building Heathkits back in the 1970's and that I had repaired and hot-rodded tube amps in the 90's - wow, I just looked and found the first edition of my tube amp newsletter online!  http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/tame.txt  Man, that's got to be at least 15 years old!  And while I'm walking memory lane - I wrote up the first slap bass lessons on the Internet - you can still find the first three at: http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/Lessons/  1993, baby!)  Anyway, I bought a few MOTM, Blacet and Oakley kits, and started soldering.  Somehow I ended up finding the x0xb0x, and that lead me to the MB-808, which lead me back here to MIDIbox land.  And at some point, I realized I wanted to put together my own designs, so I bought Eagle, various design books, etc.  Then I started organizing group buys and farming out prototype work, and I quickly found out that I could do a better job if I bought my own machine tools.  So here we are...!

Doug

[madox]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the great stories about your life. Sounds like you enjoy your work, and really commit to what you want to do. Much respect for that.

I also really like both the technical and hands on sides of my work. I graduated form uni a couple of years ago. My first two jobs have both involved a fair bit of hands on prototyping, which I like. I can then submit my CAD drawings for manufacturing, which I enjoy too, as my hands on machining is far from professional.

I still stuggle with some aspects of electronics. I tend to get quite a few tasks of designing magical interfaces that can plug into anything, and the tradeoffs always take quite some consideration. Being put into software development now is quite a nice turn out for me, as I've always found that interesting too.

I can really believe Stoustrom having a strong following. He has some rather bold and interesting quotes published online.

I used to try to teach myself bass guitar. I love slap bass (Michael "Flea" Balzary, Les Claypool, and Stuart Ham come to mind), but I didn't manage to develop much skill in that instrument. Perhaps if I had read your lessons...

Cheers dude,

madox