A C++ Reading Guide

From Zero to Hero in just 5184 pages!

Full Disclosure
This advice comes from a lot of prejudice
I find most programming books unhelpful
2 decades of experience, forgot what it is
like to be a novice
C++ IS NOT C
Not even a strict super set
C++ is a language with great C bindings, like C#
You need to understand the whole language, not
part
I like books that buck two industry trends:
Tech industry is laden with books designed to be
sold more than to be read
Tech industry is laden with coders who generate lots
"Whereas smaller computer languages have features
designed into them, C++ is unusual in having a whole
swathe of functionality discovered, like a tract of
19th century Africa."

--Verity Stob
Evolution of a C++ Programmer
Grande Arme Learns C++ The Golden Path to C++
1. Declare variables anywhere!
2. Inheritance autophagia 1. STL
3. Operator overloading glossolalia
4. Exception induced catatonia 2. RAII/smart pointers
5. Class library OCD
6. Psychotic break: OOP language
3. Shallow hierarchies
7. STL w/some PTSD 4. Boost
8. RAII
9. Templates? 5. Template libraries
10. Boost
11. Multi-paradigm mania
6. Brief psychotic disorder
12. Nirvana 7. Nirvana
Guides to C++ Books

ACCU Book Reviews

http://accu.org/
C++ in Depth Series
http://www.pearsonhighered.com/pearsonhigheredus/educator/series/series_result.page?seriesId=10158

Be mindful of C++'s evolution: older books

are likely bad
Starting Out
C++ Primer, 4th Ed.
NOT C++ Primer Plus
C++ Primer Answer Book
5th Ed. on its way, C++11 FTW!
Thinking in C++
Available free online!
Accelerated C++
3rd choice, but still quite good
Programming: Principles and Practice Using
C++
To learn programming through C++
912 Pages
Learning How Not to Hurt Yourself

Scott Meyers Trifecta

Effective C++
More Effective C++
Effective STL

1856 Pages
Learning What You Didn't Learn

Herb Sutter Trifecta

Exceptional C++
More Exceptional C++
Exceptional C++ Style
Doing it on the cheap
Guru of the Week Archives
http://gotw.ca/gotw

2752 Pages
Better tools: Boost

Beyond the C++ Standard Library

Gets you started with a number of good Boost
libraries
Introduction to the Boost C++ Libraries
Newer, covers many more libraries

3184 Pages
OMG...

....it's Full Of Templates!

Total Protonic Reversal

Modern C++ Design

This is what Verity Stob was talking about
Alexandrescu will own your brain
C++ Template Metaprogramming: Concepts,
Tools & Techniques from Boost & Beyond
Now you'll *really* understand Boost

It may be best if you didn't program in C++ for a

bit after this...
3936 Pages
Bonus Round

C++ Coding Standards: 101 Rules,

Guidelines and Best Practices
A nice garnish on top of the Meyers Trifecta
The Design and Evolution of C++
Understand Zen of C++
Understand language design/evolution
Now you know who to blame ;-)
C++ Concurrency in Action
Embrace your multi-core masters

5184 Pages
Go Forth And Code...