One Sentence Summary:
This book serves as a comprehensive guide for C++ programmers to understand and utilize the features of the Standard Template Library (STL).
Book Genre:
Programming/Computer Science
Main Topic of the Book:
The main focus of this book is to provide a thorough understanding of the Standard Template Library (STL) in C++, including its various components and implementations.
Key Ideas:
- The Standard Template Library (STL) is a powerful library in C++ that provides containers, algorithms, and iterators to help programmers develop efficient and reusable code.
- Understanding the different components of STL, such as containers, iterators, and algorithms, is crucial for efficient and effective programming.
- The book also delves into the implementation details and underlying concepts of the STL, including templates, generic programming, and the use of iterators.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary:
- Part I: Introduction to the Standard Template Library – This section provides an introduction to STL, its history, and its benefits. It also covers the basic components of STL and their interactions.
- Part II: STL Containers – This part focuses on the various container classes available in STL, such as vector, deque, list, set, and map. It explains the features and usage of each container along with their pros and cons.
- Part III: STL Iterators – This section covers the concept of iterators in STL and how they are used to access and manipulate elements in a container in a generic way. It also includes details on different types of iterators and their characteristics.
- Part IV: STL Algorithms – This part focuses on the algorithms provided by STL, which can be used to perform various operations on containers. It also covers the different categories of algorithms, such as sorting, searching, and modifying algorithms.
- Part V: Advanced STL – This section delves into advanced topics such as function objects, allocators, and exception handling in STL. It also covers the concept of generic programming and how it is implemented in STL.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the different components of STL is crucial for developing efficient and reusable code in C++.
- By using STL, programmers can save time and effort by utilizing the well-designed and tested libraries.
- The book provides a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of STL, making it a valuable resource for C++ programmers.
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
Mark Nelson has been working in the software industry for over 25 years and has experience in various programming languages such as FORTRAN, Pascal, C, and C++. He has a passion for teaching and has authored several books on programming, including C++ Programmer’s Guide to the Standard Template Library. Nelson also runs a website dedicated to programming and has conducted numerous training seminars and workshops on advanced C++ topics.
Target Audience:
The primary audience for this book is C++ programmers who want to gain a deeper understanding of the Standard Template Library (STL) and its components. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced programmers who want to improve their skills in using STL for real-world projects.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
Published by Sams Publishing in 2003, this book has been updated and reprinted several times since its initial release.