C++ is a powerful, highly flexible, and adaptable programming language that allows software engineers to organize and process information quickly and effectively. But this high-level language is relatively difficult to master, even if you already know the C programming language. The 2nd edition of Practical C++ Programming is a complete introduction to the C++ language for programmers who are learning C++. Reflecting the latest changes to the C++ standard, this 2nd edition takes a useful down-to-earth approach, placing a strong emphasis on how to design clean, elegant code. In short, to-the-point chapters, all aspects of programming are covered including style, software engineering, programming design, object-oriented design, and debugging. It also covers common mistakes and how to find (and avoid) them. End of chapter exercises help you ensure you've mastered the material. Practical C++ Programming thoroughly covers: * C++ Syntax * Coding standards and style * Creation and use of object classes * Templates * Debugging and optimization * Use of the C++ preprocessor * File input/output Steve Oualline's clear, easy-going writing style and hands-on approach to learning make Practical C++ Programming a nearly painless way to master this complex but powerful programming language.

Table of Contents:
Preface Part I. The Basics 1. What Is C++? A Brief History of C++ C++ Organization How to Learn C++ 2. The Basics of Program Writing Programs from Conception to Execution Creating a Real Program Getting Help in Unix Getting Help in an IDE Programming Exercises 3. Style Comments C++ Code Naming Style Coding Religion Indentation and Code Format Clarity Simplicity Consistency and Organization Further Reading Summary 4. Basic Declarations and Expressions Basic Program Structure Simple Expressions The std::cout Output Object Variables and Storage Variable Declarations Assignment Statements Floating-Point Numbers Floating-Point Divide Versus Integer Divide Characters Wide Characters Boolean Type Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions 5. Arrays, Qualifiers, and Reading Numbers Arrays Strings Reading Data Initializing Variables Multidimensional Arrays C-Style Strings Types of Integers Types of Floats Constant and Reference Declarations Qualifiers Hexadecimal and Octal Constants Operators for Performing Shortcuts Side Effects Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions 6. Decision and Control Statements if Statement else Statement How Not to Use std::strcmp Looping Statements while Statement break Statement continue Statement The Assignment Anywhere Side Effect Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions 7. The Programming Process Setting Up Your Work Area The Specification Code Design The Prototype The Makefile Testing Debugging Maintenance Revisions Electronic Archaeology Mark Up the Program Use the Debugger Use the Text Editor as a Browser Add Comments Programming Exercises Part II. Simple Programming 8. More Control Statements for Statement switch Statement switch, break, and continue Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions 9. Variable Scope and Functions Scope and Storage Class Namespaces Functions Summary of Parameter Types Recursion Structured Programming Basics Real-World Programming Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions 10. The C++ Preprocessor define Statement Conditional Compilation include Files Parameterized Macros Advanced Features Summary Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions 11. Bit Operations Bit Operators The AND Operator (&) Bitwise OR (|) The Bitwise Exclusive OR (^) The Ones Complement Operator (NOT) (~) The Left and Right Shift Operators (<<, >>) Setting, Clearing, and Testing Bits Bitmapped Graphics Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions Part III. Advanced Types and Classes 12. Advanced Types Structures Unions typedef enum Type Bit Members or Packed Structures Arrays of Structures Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions 13. Simple Classes Stacks Improved Stack Using a Class Introduction to Constructors and Destructors Automatically Generated Member Functions Shortcuts Style Structures Versus Classes Programming Exercises 14. More on Classes Friends Constant Functions Constant Members Static Member Variables Static Member Functions The Meaning of static Programming Exercises 15. Simple Pointers const Pointers Pointers and Printing Pointers and Arrays The reinterpret_cast Pointers and Structures Command-Line Arguments Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions Part IV. Advanced Programming Concepts 16. File Input/Output C++ File I/O Conversion Routines Binary and ASCII Files The End-of-Line Puzzle Binary I/O Buffering Problems Unbuffered I/O Designing File Formats C-Style I/O Routines C-Style Conversion Routines C-Style Binary I/O C- Versus C++- Style I/O Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions 17. Debugging and Optimization Code Reviews Serial Debugging Going Through the Output Interactive Debuggers Debugging a Binary Search Interactive Debugging Tips and Tricks Runtime Errors Optimization How to Optimize Case Study: Inline Functions Versus Normal Functions Case Study: Optimizing a Color-Rendering Algorithm Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions 18. Operator Overloading Creating a Simple Fixed-Point Class Operator Functions Operator Member Functions Warts Full Definition of the Fixed-Point Class Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions 19. Floating Point Floating-Point Format Floating Addition/Subtraction Multiplication and Division Overflow and Underflow Roundoff Error Accuracy Minimizing Roundoff Error Determining Accuracy Precision and Speed Power Series Programming Exercises 20. Advanced Pointers Pointers, Structures, and Classes delete Operator Linked Lists Ordered Linked Lists Doubly Linked Lists Trees Printing a Tree The Rest of the Program Data Structures for a Chess Program Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions 21. Advanced Classes Derived Classes Virtual Functions Virtual Classes Function Hiding in Derived Classes Constructors and Destructors in Derived Classes The dynamic_cast Operator Summary Programming Exercises Answers to Chapter Questions Part V. Other Language Features 22. Exceptions Adding Exceptions to the Stack Class Exceptions Versus assert Programming Exercises 23. Modular Programming Modules Public and Private The extern Storage Class Headers The Body of the Module A Program to Use Infinite Arrays The Makefile for Multiple Files Using the Infinite Array Dividing a Task into Modules Module Design Guidelines Programming Exercises 24. Templates What Is a Template? Templates: The Hard Way Templates: The C++ Way Function Specialization Class Templates Class Specialization Implementation Details Advanced Features Summary Programming Exercises 25. Standard Template Library STL Basics Class List-A Set of Students Creating a Waiting List with the STL List Storing Grades in a STL Map Putting It All Together Practical Considerations When Using the STL Getting More Information Exercises 26. Program Design Design Goals Design Factors Design Principles Coding Objects Real-World Design echniques Conclusion 27. Putting It All Together Requirements Code Design Coding Functional Description Testing Revisions A Final Warning Program Files Programming Exercises 28. From C to C++ K&R-Style Functions struct malloc and free Turning Structures into Classes setjmp and longjmp Mixing C and C++ Code Summary Programming Exercise 29. C++'s Dustier Corners do/while goto The ? : Construct The Comma Operator Overloading the ( ) Operator Pointers to Members The asm Statement The mutable Qualifier Run Time Type Identification Trigraphs Answers to Chapter Questions 30. Programming Adages General Design Declarations switch Statement Preprocessor Style Compiling The Ten Commandments for C++ Programmers Final Note Answers to Chapter Questions Part VI. Appendixes A. ASCII Table B. Ranges C. Operator Precedence Rules D. Computing Sine Using a Power Series E. Resources Index