Exceptional C++: 47 Engineering Puzzles, Programming Problems, and Solutions

by Herb Sutter and  

Exceptional C++ shows by example how to go about sound software engineering in standard C++. Do you enjoy solving thorny C++ problems and puzzles? Do you relish writing robust and extensible code? Then take a few minutes and challenge yourself with some tough C++ design and programming problems. The puzzles and problems in Exceptional C++ not only entertain, they will help you hone your skills to become the sharpest C++ programmer you can be. Many...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0201615622
• ISBN13: 9780201615623
• Release Date: November 1999
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Exceptional problems, exceptional solutions

In learning computing, the most prized element is a relevant problem with a detailed, understandable solution. Many studies have indicated that the skills gap between those who program adequately and those who are exceptional is enormous. Unlike some other areas, the gurus of computing are more often than not quite willing to share their expertise with others. This collection of problems, derived from the C++ Guru of the Week newsgroup, collectively form one of the most valuable sources of real insight into the language. C++ is often criticized as being a language that is full of potential problems of the "gotcha" variety. A "gotcha" problem is one where a seemingly logical choice can lead to a disaster. Many of these problems can be placed in that category, but to focus on that would miss much of what they can teach you. The most significant point of the problems is that they teach you how to program many complex tasks in a manner that is truly safe from potential errors. All of the problems are tagged with a level of difficulty, although like most people, I consider that to be of dubious benefit, as there is an enormous difference in what programmers find difficult. In my opinion, the most valuable section of the book is the ten parts dealing with the creation of exception-safe code. While some do have trouble with it, most people find it easy to understand the fundamentals of what exceptions are. However, writing code that is safe from the unexpected consequences of a thrown exception is a decidedly non-trivial problem. Especially when the new and delete operators can throw an exception. The sections that deal with making new and delete exception-safe alone justify the purchase of the book. When asked questions as to how they managed to reach their guru status, a common response is that they simply use coded solutions written by others that are known to be correct. If that were all it took to reach the level of guru, then this book would be a significant rung on the ladder to that pinnacle.

Highly informative, even for veteran C++ programmers

I've been programming in C++ for 12 years, and this is the first C++ book I've read in awhile that I learned significantly from. The section on exception safety is unmatched in any book or article I've ever read. The style and format of this book make it easy to read, even though some of the concepts it covers are very advanced. After you read this book, put it somewhere handy, because I guarantee you will refer to it often as you go back and fix your code to take into account all the new things the book teaches you.

Simply exceptional!

I just received the book and ended up reading it in a single sitting. Outstanding! This book is is a veritable treasure trove of tips, tricks, gotchas, and very solid design advice. You need to know C++ fairly well to follow all the subtleties but if you meet this prerequisite, you will find yourself referring to this book time and time again. The sections on exception safety are particularly valuable. Highly recommended!

Industrial Strength C++'ing

Herb Sutter is well known in the C++ programming community for his attention to detail, sound software engineering principles and solid coding techniques. This book gather together in one place an extension of his "Guru of the Week" work that has appeared in comp.lang.c++.moderated for the past few years.What leaped out to me while he did the "guru's" all these years is how much thought he put into them. Now imagine that he revisits them for an additional sharpening! Furthermore, he writes clearly, consisely, and to the point.Herb's writing skill and C++ knowledge, combo'd with C++'s maturity, is really having your cake and eating it too. Programming/design/etc., in/with any language is hard, complex, and challenging. There is no place for haste and never a substitute for thinking. Sutters slaps this in our faces, as a needed wake up call.It is rare for me to recommend a book. But "Exceptional C++" challenges your problem solving skills to a new dimension. This is not just the kind of book that I label "industrial strength", but it's what I call an "expert book", a book I've been waiting for since 1985! Yipee!Get ready for many plainly stated guidelines, insights, portability issues, techniques, and coding idioms. It's easy to see "Exceptional C++" becoming a new classic as it covers topics such as exception handling, templates, class design, inheritance, and memory management. It's all there.

Broad and Deep

Gosh, this is a nice book.It is based on Herb's "Guru of the Week" column in the comp.lang.c++.moderated Usenet forum: nontrivial C++ issues presented as questions around one or a few code fragments. The electronic column was popular from its inception, but the book raises the quality of the discussion to new heights.A fair number of problems covering a very diverse range of topics (physical code organization, exception safety, const correctness, etc.) are treated in much depth. The focus appears to be mainly on pitfalls to avoid, and how to avoid them, though various creative C++ programming techniques are also taught. As a result, the book contains many "recommended practices", that are nicely emphasized using boxes and icons.The discussion is generally up to date with the C++ standard, and some fluency in C++ is required to get the most out of this book. However, the details of how things work are expounded with sufficient detail and clarity that you don't need to be a "Guru of a Week" to understand the issues in their entirety.Despite the considerable breadth and depth of the volume, it weighs in at only about 200 pages: a welcome break from the giant C++ tutorials (this is not a tutorial, mind you!). Herb's technical writing style is lucid, and the typography/layout is actually attractive.