Navigating C++ and Object-Oriented Design (Bk/CD-Rom) [With CDROM]

It's interesting to see how the number of stars given to this book fluctuates wildly - either one star or five. Apparently people either love it or hate it, but to me this implies that people are either ready for it or they aren't.I bought this book shortly after it was published (1998), and by that time I had already been using C++ professionally for five years. Since then, it has taught me more about C++ than I had learnt in the 5 years before I got it. It has more C++ information than Stroustrup's books (or any other book), and is definitely more readable (but readability never appears to have been one of Stroustrup's literary goals).Basically, this book is a waste of time for beginners (get an easier book - not this one - and get some actual C++ experience under your belt). For intermediate programmers it is challenging and heavy going, but if you work with it you will get more benefit from it than from any other C++ book on the market. It will take you sailing all the way from intermediate to advanced and right through to guru.When you get round to reading Scott Meyers books (which you should if you take C++ seriously), you'll find that his 50 and 35 "Ways to Improve Your Programs and Designs" are essentially elaborations on points that had been raised, almost as asides, in this book. That'll probably make you want to re-read this book (which you should do a few times in order to get the most from it). And here's the bottom line: if you read this book a couple of times and digest it, there isn't one C++ question which an interviewer or a colleague can ask you that you won't be able to answer.So, I give this book 5 stars by way of thanks to the authors, AND to counter-balance the 1 star reviews from people who shouldn't be reading this book anyway.(PS. for those who gave this book 1 star, I recommend them to read the book after a few years with C++, and then come and and rate this book again).

Although I don't like the initial layout of this book (putting code at the front of the book that is not understood until several chapters later) I will tell you that this book is one of the best kept secrets I've found. Actually, I had hoped that not many developers would find this book and thereby give me that extra edge above my fellow programmers! To those who had a bad time trying to learn C++ from this book, HANG ON TO THIS BOOK you will be glad you did later! The key to using this book is as a cross reference with some other simpler book. Going back and forth between the two books (or even more books) has the effect that what one book barely mentions, the other one will cover. Or what one author does not explain well, the other might explain very well.This is how I used this book and with excellent results. This book has the best coverage of templates I have seen anywhere but it was a little weak on inheritance. My other book had excellent coverage of inheritance but was very weak on templates - so cross referencing gave me the full knowledge I needed. If you want to master C++, you might as well resign yourself to buying several books (I have about 20) no single book will give you the complete knowledge you want. Adding this book to your collection was a wise choice even if you don't see that now - you will!

This book is the most complete reference on C++ I've seen. The introduction neatly outlines the chapter topics and the very first chapter gives a concise and very readable discussion of object-oriented design with code examples showing how to implement the design. In the introduction, all readers should read the section "How to Read This Book" so that they can maximize their benefit.C++ is a difficult language where the compiler performs many operations behind the scenes. The authors cover the material very carefully so that readers will understand how the compiler is handling the code.There are two recommendations when using this book. Firstly, if you are an absolute beginner (don't know how to program in C) then try out the program examples such as "Listing 2.1" and use those as starting points to examine how the programs work. Secondly, some examples, particularly in later chapters, are using RECENT ADDITIONS to the ANSI C++ standard. If you are using an older compiler, then some of these features will not compile. Finally, the authors are expert teachers who readily answered my e-mail questions regarding C++ code.There are several great sample code examples (e.g two dimensional arrays, etc) which can be used as part of any C++ programmers library. I was particularly impressed by the Generic Associative Array Class which illustrates how to separate L- and R- values for the overloaded [] operator function (standard template library won't do this). That piece of code is a work of art that illustrates the careful thought that went into making this book as complete as possible with RELEVENT examples which are not found anywhere else. This turned out to be exactly what I needed to implement a two-dimensional array class using hash tables so that it would be seamless to the users.This book is my primary reference for C++. Beginner programmers will gain much from the chapter on object-oriented design and several complete code listings. For experienced programmers, this book is a must-have because it covers the latest ANSI C++ features and because it includes a library of useful code samples which are not found anywhere else.Some books may be easier to read but this book is the best complete coverage of C++ there is.

It seems opinions vary wildly regarding this book and I think it is because it is simply not meant for everyone. It is not an introduction to programming and it is not a quick fix, "learn C++ in 20 days" that will will leave you with a lot of "Hello World" type programs when you're finished. It is, however, a great way to learn C++ as it applies to object oriented design. The problem today is that many people are using C++ in old-fashioned, procedural ways and don't really understand the power and elegance of C++'s object oriented architecture. This book conveys that power in an understandable, detailed format. Each page has references to sections throughout the book where related topics are discussed. While some people seem to have found this annoying, I found it incredibly helpful as it encouraged an integrated knowledge of what's really going on in C++.In addition the book is quite flexible. There are two chapters that cover just the basics of C++ which a person could read as a stand-alone introduction or refresher. The introduction to the book points out that selected chapters can be read to gain an overview of C++ and objects and the other chapters can be read later to fill in the gaps. On the other hand, the book functions very well as a reference. It contains an exhaustive index and because the information is so detailed and up-to-date I have yet to go looking in it and not find what I needed to know.Like I said, this is not a book for everyone. Someone with little programming experience would find it difficult. True object oriented design is not an easy thing to pick up--it is abstract and requires a way of thinking which is different from what many programmers are used to. This book provides a good entry point into that mindset and leaves a person with a real appreciation for the language.

This is a very complete textbook with complete code examples for Intermediate/Advanced C++. A new comer may find it too hard to digest. If you are looking for a "Learn C++ in 24hrs or 14days", don't buy this one. But, if you already have some C programming(any level) and have used "struct", this book is very "meaty" ,covering alots of material where many books left off. The section on polymorphism and multiple inheritance was one of the most complete I have seen. Also,covers completely pointers to functions and overloading new and delete. Template functions and classes are complete with simple to sophisticated examples. I recommended this book as a standard college textbook or even a good shelf reference for any C++ programmers.The book can improved on an early chapter on transition from C to C++: coupling,cohesion,client/server paradigm. Also an Appendix on using mixed C/C++ headers,coding standards.