One sentence summary:
The C++ Programming Language by Bjarne Stroustrup is a comprehensive guide to the C++ programming language for intermediate to advanced developers.
Book genre:
Technical/Programming
Main topic of the book:
The C++ Programming Language serves as a reference manual for the core concepts and features of the C++ programming language, including its history, syntax, standard libraries, and best practices.
Key ideas:
- C++ is a powerful programming language that allows for efficient and flexible development of complex software systems.
- The book covers both the fundamental concepts of C++ as well as more advanced topics such as templates, exception handling, and concurrency.
- The C++ standard library, which provides a wide range of pre-built functions and data structures, is also thoroughly addressed.
- The book emphasizes the importance of writing clear, maintainable, and efficient code through best practices and coding conventions.
Main parts of the book:
- Part I: Introduction – Gives an overview of the C++ language, its history, and its key features.
- Part II: Basic Facilities – Covers the basics of C++ including data types, expressions, control structures, functions, and error handling.
- Part III: Abstraction Mechanisms – Explores more advanced features of C++ such as classes, templates, and exceptions.
- Part IV: The Standard Library – Provides a comprehensive look at the C++ standard library and its components.
- Part V: Design and Evolution – Discusses the design principles and evolution of C++, as well as its potential for future growth.
Key takeaways:
- The C++ programming language is a versatile tool for building powerful and performant software systems.
- It is important to understand the fundamentals of C++ in order to write clear, efficient, and maintainable code.
- The standard library offers a wealth of pre-built components that can save time and effort in development.
- Learning and following best practices can greatly improve the quality of C++ code and make it more manageable for long-term projects.
Author’s background and qualifications:
Bjarne Stroustrup is a computer scientist who is best known for developing the C++ programming language. He is currently a managing director in the technology division of Morgan Stanley and is also a visiting professor at Columbia University. Stroustrup holds a Master’s and Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Cambridge and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. He has published numerous books and papers on programming languages and is considered a leading expert on C++.
Target audience:
This book is primarily aimed at intermediate to advanced developers with some background in C++ or object-oriented programming. It is also suitable for those looking to refresh their knowledge or dive deeper into the advanced features of the language.
Publisher and first publication date:
The C++ Programming Language was published by Addison-Wesley in 1985, with subsequent editions in 1991, 1997, 2013, and 2020.