C++ for Dummies Quick Reference

I just bought the 2nd ed. of the book again because my original copy got stolen and this book is invaluable (as the thief thought too, apparently). It includes everything you need to know about just about every major aspect of c++ in about as concise a form as is useful. I've programmed in many languages for years and this book is a tremendous time saver by virtue of how quickly and easily I can find exactly what technical minutia I might need (syntax & dependencies & numerical limits oh my). As another reviewer said it's nothing bleeding edge or anything too unusual, but it's tremendously well organized & compact, and it WILL save you considerable time rather than having to scan through a huge bloated book. I first came across this book because i couldn't find all the proper syntax to deal with direct binary IO streams in 4 other (much bigger) C++ books, and this had it where i could find it in under a minute. Though the other books did discuss it, they didn't give me enough info to get it working; this book did. Also, if you program in multiple languages like me, this book is a godsend as a syntax reference for common commands... it's so good that if you're fluent in another programming language and know the basic concepts and constructs, this book would allow for an easy transition to c++ coding.

After I learned the basics of C++ only a very few of the syntax statements had I memorized. So for the hundreds of others not memorized the quick reference is a great way to look up the context and syntax for the satements. The book also has a short example of its usage for most syntax with a description of what it should do.

I am taking a C++ course that comes with a very thorogh, but somewhat dense, coursebook. When I just need the syntax of a specific function or a brief refresher on a topic, the Dummies book is perfect. Functions I can't find in my coursebook are always in the Dummies book. Information is consise. Example code is extraordinarily helpful and comes with explanatory comments. If this book is used as it's intended - as a supplement, not a replacement, for the meatier books - it rates a 10 easily. As far as I have been able to tell, it is the only book like it out there. Even O'reilly has not put out a C++ in-a-nutshell book. I do not recommend this book as as tutorial for those wanting to learn C++ from the ground up.