Comprehensive C++ reference?

Raven · 02-14-2005, 10:31 PM

Any of you programmers recommend a solid C++ reference book? I'm looking for one of those "must have" types, something I can use for both intermediate and advanced programming.

Also, anyone know of any good beginner GUI books?

thanks.

sabotai · 02-14-2005, 10:38 PM

A good GUI book in a book that will teach you Win32 API or MFC?

I don't think I have anything that would technically be a C++ reference book. As far as advanced books go, they are all pretty much specialized. If you let use know what it is you are specifically looking for (DirectX, AI, Application developement, etc. etc.) we could narrow the field down for you.

Raven · 02-14-2005, 10:52 PM

Well, I am a comp sci student, and I have a few C and C++ courses under my belt already. I'm conformtable with classes, templates, STL containers etc, but from time to time need to look up syntax examples for things I haven't used in awhile (or never used). Whenever I need a reference, I have to search between several texts that I have, or class lecture notes, or google searches etc. I was looking for something "all in one" kind of thing. I had heard the C++ bible was good for that, but just wanted some other opinions.

As far as GUIs go, I am not really sure. I don't have any experience working with them yet, but am excited about taking a class in it next semester. In the meantime, I was hoping to find something to get me started there. I don't know the difference between Win32 API or MFC at this point. Some direction would help here.

sabotai · 02-14-2005, 11:23 PM

As far as reference books go, C++: The Complete Reference

I don't have it, but it has a lot of good user reviews.

Mr. Wednesday · 02-15-2005, 02:09 AM

The C++ Standard Library: A Tutorial and Reference (Josuttis) is IMO an essential reference for using the standard library (which sooner or later you are likely to want to do, it makes a lot of things easier).

dixieflatline · 02-15-2005, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabotai

As far as reference books go, C++: The Complete Reference
I don't have it, but it has a lot of good user reviews.

Best book on the market and very reasonably priced for a book that complete. The section on the STL is fantastic. It's the only reference book I have ever had and I have never needed to go anywhere else. Can't help you with the GUI book though.

ZXTT · 02-15-2005, 04:31 PM

I've generally referred to Stroustrup's "The C++ Programming Language 3rd Edition", Visual Studio's online help and online for general information.

C++, however, can be tricky to use correctly. For this, I'd recommend Scott Meyer's "Effective C++" and "More Effective C++". He's also written "Effective STL".

GUI programming is problematic. I've written smaller things using MFC.

Pros:

Really easy to get a simple app up and running with GUI.

Cons:

Terrible framework design. You need to use inheritance all over the place. Too much inheritance == fragile, fragile code.

Want to do anything that isn't simple? Use the debugger to figure out how MFC works...

New version of MFC? Rewrite your app or keep your old version of VC++ installed and ready to go.

Alas, I don't really get to write much GUI code. The stuff I'm working on right now communicates with the outside world through interfaces and my test harness runs from the command line. But if I were to have write a GUI, I would investigate WxWidgets. It is an open source, cross-platform, C++ GUI framework. Since I haven't used it, I can't recommend it, as such.

Mr. Wednesday · 02-15-2005, 06:57 PM

An alternative to MFC for Windows-specific code would be the WTL -- a modern template library wrapping the Windows API, as opposed to the legacy-fest that is MFC.

Marc Vaughan · 02-16-2005, 03:52 AM

I'd suggest any book entitled C++ Reference Guide, I personally prefer ones which have examples of function usage etc. as well as descriptions of their parameters and purpose.

With regards to GUI's it largely depends on what you're wanting to do with them and the platform that you'll be working on ...

(if you want to make your own GUI)
Real-Time Strategy Game programming for DirectX - has some good stuff on making a basic GUI system under DirectX

(if you're on windows)
Any Windows GUI book - sorry I can't be more explicit, there are loads out there and to be frank I haven't bought one in yonks (preferring more obscure AI stuff at the moment).

(if you're on unix)
I'd suggest learning Motif, its a very cool system, has some great reference books available (there's around 8 in a series by the creators) and I managed to pick it up and use it in anger in around 2 months during my first job out of uni.

Marc Vaughan · 02-16-2005, 03:54 AM

PS. In case anyone hasn't heard of motif - here's a link:

http://www.opengroup.org/openmotif/datasheet.html

02-15-2005, 02:09 AM	#5
Mr. Wednesday Pro Starter Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: South Bend, IN	The C++ Standard Library: A Tutorial and Reference (Josuttis) is IMO an essential reference for using the standard library (which sooner or later you are likely to want to do, it makes a lot of things easier). __________________ Hattrick - Brays Bayou FC (70854) / USA III.4 Hockey Arena - Houston Aeros / USA II.1 Thanks to my FOFC Hattrick supporters - Blackout, Brillig, kingfc22, RPI-fan, Rich1033, antbacker, One_to7, ur_land, KevinNU7, and TonyR (PM me if you support me and I've missed you)

02-15-2005, 06:57 PM	#8
Mr. Wednesday Pro Starter Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: South Bend, IN	An alternative to MFC for Windows-specific code would be the WTL -- a modern template library wrapping the Windows API, as opposed to the legacy-fest that is MFC. __________________ Hattrick - Brays Bayou FC (70854) / USA III.4 Hockey Arena - Houston Aeros / USA II.1 Thanks to my FOFC Hattrick supporters - Blackout, Brillig, kingfc22, RPI-fan, Rich1033, antbacker, One_to7, ur_land, KevinNU7, and TonyR (PM me if you support me and I've missed you)

02-14-2005, 10:38 PM	#2
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	A good GUI book in a book that will teach you Win32 API or MFC? I don't think I have anything that would technically be a C++ reference book. As far as advanced books go, they are all pretty much specialized. If you let use know what it is you are specifically looking for (DirectX, AI, Application developement, etc. etc.) we could narrow the field down for you.

02-14-2005, 10:52 PM	#3
Raven College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Baltimore, MD	Well, I am a comp sci student, and I have a few C and C++ courses under my belt already. I'm conformtable with classes, templates, STL containers etc, but from time to time need to look up syntax examples for things I haven't used in awhile (or never used). Whenever I need a reference, I have to search between several texts that I have, or class lecture notes, or google searches etc. I was looking for something "all in one" kind of thing. I had heard the C++ bible was good for that, but just wanted some other opinions. As far as GUIs go, I am not really sure. I don't have any experience working with them yet, but am excited about taking a class in it next semester. In the meantime, I was hoping to find something to get me started there. I don't know the difference between Win32 API or MFC at this point. Some direction would help here.

02-14-2005, 11:23 PM	#4
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	As far as reference books go, C++: The Complete Reference I don't have it, but it has a lot of good user reviews.

02-15-2005, 04:31 PM	#7
ZXTT n00b Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Beaverton, OR, USA	I've generally referred to Stroustrup's "The C++ Programming Language 3rd Edition", Visual Studio's online help and online for general information. C++, however, can be tricky to use correctly. For this, I'd recommend Scott Meyer's "Effective C++" and "More Effective C++". He's also written "Effective STL". GUI programming is problematic. I've written smaller things using MFC. Pros: Really easy to get a simple app up and running with GUI. Cons: Terrible framework design. You need to use inheritance all over the place. Too much inheritance == fragile, fragile code. Want to do anything that isn't simple? Use the debugger to figure out how MFC works... New version of MFC? Rewrite your app or keep your old version of VC++ installed and ready to go. Alas, I don't really get to write much GUI code. The stuff I'm working on right now communicates with the outside world through interfaces and my test harness runs from the command line. But if I were to have write a GUI, I would investigate WxWidgets. It is an open source, cross-platform, C++ GUI framework. Since I haven't used it, I can't recommend it, as such.

02-16-2005, 03:52 AM	#9
Marc Vaughan SI Games Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Melbourne, FL	I'd suggest any book entitled C++ Reference Guide, I personally prefer ones which have examples of function usage etc. as well as descriptions of their parameters and purpose. With regards to GUI's it largely depends on what you're wanting to do with them and the platform that you'll be working on ... (if you want to make your own GUI) Real-Time Strategy Game programming for DirectX - has some good stuff on making a basic GUI system under DirectX (if you're on windows) Any Windows GUI book - sorry I can't be more explicit, there are loads out there and to be frank I haven't bought one in yonks (preferring more obscure AI stuff at the moment). (if you're on unix) I'd suggest learning Motif, its a very cool system, has some great reference books available (there's around 8 in a series by the creators) and I managed to pick it up and use it in anger in around 2 months during my first job out of uni.

02-16-2005, 03:54 AM	#10
Marc Vaughan SI Games Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Melbourne, FL	PS. In case anyone hasn't heard of motif - here's a link: http://www.opengroup.org/openmotif/datasheet.html

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)