(February 2000)
In this brand-new third edition of The C++ Programming Language, author Bjarne Stroustrup, the creator of C++, presents the full specification for the C++ language and standard library, a spec that will soon become the joint ISO/ANSI C++ standard. Past readers will find that the new edition has changed a great deal and grown considerably to encompass new language features, particularly run-time type identification, namespaces, and the standard library. At the same time, readers will recognize the lucid style and sensible advice that made previous editions so readable and enjoyable. Probably the biggest change is a substantial new section, well over 200 pages in length, covering the contents and design of the C++ standard library, the most important new feature of the C++ specification. The author has also added a substantial number of new exercises while keeping many from previous editions that have retained their value. While The C++ Programming Language is not a C++ tutorial, strictly speaking, anyone learning the language, especially those coming from C, will greatly benefit from the clear presentation of all its elements. It is impossible to overstate the importance of this book for anyone who is serious about using C++.
(December 6, 2000)
C++Builder 5 Developer's Guide is a completely new book authored by insiders of the C++Builder development community. You will learn advanced debugging techniques using CodeGuard, master multi-tier distributed applications with MIDAS 3, discover the latest in multi-media techniques with OpenGL, DirectX, and others, master memory management, learn how to build a chat system with TCP/IP, and more. XML, HTML, CORBA, VisiBroker, ActiveX, and COM+ Server are new features covered by this new edition.
(August 14, 2000)
If you don't have a lot of time, but still want to learn the latest in C++, you don't have to learn C first. You might learn more by digging into current language features and classes from the very beginning. That's the approach that's offered by Accelerated C++, a text that delves into more advanced C++ features like templates and Standard Template Library (STL) collection classes early on. This book arguably can get a motivated beginning programmer into C++ more quickly than other available tutorials. What separates this title from the rest of the pack is that it jumps right in with samples that take advantage of the Standard C++ of today--from streams to built-in container classes, such as vectors and linked lists. Early examples are more complex than in other books, but the thoroughness and relaxed pace of the explanations will bring the novice up to speed. (Although it ships at a slender 350 pages, Accelerated C++ is packed with samples, tips, and example problems; about 10 per chapter.) After a tour of basic C++, the book looks at more advanced C++ features, such as templates, including built-in support for containers. Besides tapping the strength of Standard C++, you also will learn to design with your own templates. (Other tutorials would defer this material until later on.) The authors have tested the approach in the book in their own teaching, and honed a set of worthwhile examples that will help anyone get familiar with these powerful language features. All examples make use of the command line and console (without GUI programs), but the advantage is that this code should run on any of today's operating systems and compilers. Later sections cover the basics of class design, which include good coverage of operator overloading and inheritance. With its innovative approach to teaching the language, Accelerated C++ will challenge readers in the right way. It suggests that you don't need to learn C to be productive in C++. Written in an approachable style, it deserves a close look from any C++ novice. Richard Dragan
(April 1999)
Visual C++ 6.0 is the latest upgrade of Microsoft's industry-standard commercial development tool for ISVs and corporate developers. MICROSOFT VISUAL C++ 6.0 DELUXE LEARNING EDITION contains strong tutorial components that provide a smooth and authoritative one-stop learning solution to help you develop applications and components for Windows(r). Presented with convenient choices of learning styles that will suit individual needs, everything needed is here to power up Visual C++ performance. Fully supported development tool: Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 Introductory Edition on CD-ROM Interactive learning software: Microsoft Visual C++ Starts Here(r) Print tutorial with media: Learn Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 Now Print reference: Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 Programmer's Guide
(May 2001)
Aimed at those with some previous programming experience, Inside C# shows developers the unique strengths, advantages, and tips for coding with C#. This fast-paced and in-depth tutorial will let you use Microsoft's newest programming language on the emerging .NET platform successfully. The outstanding strength of this text is its in-depth language tutorial on C#, with complete coverage of basic and advanced object-oriented programming techniques. New language features like properties, indexers, and attributes get full coverage, alongside the basics of using classes and inheritance. The book relies on using Visual Studio 6.0 and the command-line .NET tools for running programs. (Visual Studio.NET, the next version of Visual Studio, was unavailable when the book was written.) First to market with an in-depth language tutorial, the focus of Inside C# is on basic and advanced language features. By viewing generated code (using the ILDASM disassembler tool), the author examines how class design features work under the hood. The language tutorial digs into features, beginning with a "Hello, World" program and delving into class design features before moving on to more basic features like expressions, operators, and flow control. This sequence makes the book best suited to the experienced developer, since some excellent in-depth material on the most advanced features of C# is presented before the basics of the language. Throughout, you'll learn the newest features of the language, how to use it, and a sense of its personality.
(June 2001)
Written for the working Java developer, Joshua Bloch's Effective Java Programming Language Guide provides a truly useful set of over 50 best practices and tips for writing better Java code. With plenty of advice from an indisputable expert in the field, this title is sure to be an indispensable resource for anyone who wants to get more out of their code. As a veteran developer at Sun, the author shares his considerable insight into the design choices made over the years in Sun's own Java libraries (which the author acknowledges haven't always been perfect). Based on his experience working with Sun's best minds, the author provides a compilation of 57 tips for better Java code organized by category. Many of these ideas will let you write more robust classes that better cooperate with built-in Java APIs. Many of the tips make use of software patterns and demonstrate an up-to-the-minute sense of what works best in today's design. Each tip is clearly introduced and explained with code snippets used to demonstrate each programming principle. Early sections on creating and destroying objects show you ways to make better use of resources, including how to avoid duplicate objects. Next comes an absolutely indispensable guide to implementing "required" methods for custom classes. This material will help you write new classes that cooperate with old ones (with advice on implementing essential requirements like the equals() and hashCode() methods). The author has a lot to say about class design, whether using inheritance or composition. Tips on designing methods show you how to create understandable, maintainable, and robust classes that can be easily reused by others on your team. Sections on mapping C code (like structures, unions, and enumerated types) onto Java will help C programmers bring their existing skills to Sun's new language. Later sections delve into some general programming tips, like using exceptions effectively. The book closes with advice on using threads and synchronization techniques, plus some worthwhile advice on object serialization.
(July 2001)
Whether you class yourself as just a beginner or have long been a lover of Borland's much-acclaimed object-oriented development tool, Mastering Delphi 6 has plenty to offer you. Written by world-renowned Delphi expert Marco Cantù, this edition, marking the release of Delphi 6, continues the tradition of excellence, balancing attention to detail with the author's unfussy, very readable style, which makes this a book that's accessible to all. While you will need an understanding of the basics of Pascal, even that is catered to by the inclusion of an easy-to-understand Pascal tutorial as one of the four bonus "chapters" on the accompanying CD-ROM. The CD-ROM also includes example source code and the full searchable text of the book in Acrobat format. Much of the introductory material included in previous editions has been removed in favor of plenty of exposure to the enhancements available in Delphi 6. Among others, these include CLX, the new cross-platform component library, dbExpress, the new database engine, and Delphi's extensive support for e-business and Web development. There is also improved coverage of some of Delphi's longer-standing features. Designed in a tutorial format, this book bristles with practical programming. In all, there are around 300 examples, each one supported by Cantù's clear explanation of the key skills in view. From the foundations of Delphi's object-oriented class library through to a whole section devoted to building Web applications, no information is left unexplored. If you are looking to lever your skills and harness the power of Delphi 6 for your applications, look no further than this excellent resource. Peter Lunn, Amazon.co.uk
(June 26, 2001)
Develop faster, more powerful applications with this hands-on guide to Kylix Build, test, and deploy highly efficient applications for Linux quickly and easily using this practical resource. Well-known Kylix expert Cary Jensen shows you everything you need to master this new hot RAD tool--from initial development steps to deploying Web-based applications. Get details on Kylix's RAD frameworks, database applications and datasets, extending the code editor, using Internet Direct to create socket clients and servers, and much more. You'll also get up to speed on the tools in the integrated development environment (IDE) and learn how to effectively use the CLX component library, work with forms and frames, module templates, and wizards. This definitive book contains seven chapters on database development, five chapters on Internet development, and contributions from Kylix R&D team members. If you are interested in learning how to create high quality, error-free Kylix applications--simply and efficiently--then Building Kylix Applications is the book for you. Create and debug both standalone applications and shared object libraries Work with TFields, the SQL monitor, and data-aware controls Get details on advanced features--including multithreaded applications and building your own components Maximize the powerful features of the CLX component library Write Web server extensions (CGI and Apache DSOs) using Web Broker Improve portability and ensure the compatibility of your applications Understand Internet Direct and its client, server, and support components
(November 2001)
Delphi for Linux (Kylix) Development includes three main themes. First, the book recognized that much of its audience will be Windows developers who need to understand basic Linux development strategies, so there will be information throughout the book offering insight on how to leverage Windows development knowledge to the Linux platform. There will be significant coverage of the tools and features of the Kylix environment, but the book assumes that readers will be familiar with RAD development tools generally. Finally, there is extensive coverage of how to apply the CLX library in building solid applications. The book will also discuss cross-platform development strategies.
(May 24, 2001)
Kylix will be the first proven, widely available RAD system for Linux. Packed with programming solutions, Kylix Power Solutions with Don Taylor, Jim Mischel, and Tim Gentry focuses on solutions to specific Kylix programming challenges and objectives that arise when moving from Windows to a Linux operating environment. Written by Kylix experts and respected software developers, this book provides readers with accurate, understandable, easy to use, and dependable programming approaches and solutions. It also helps readers understand the whys of Kylix and Linux as well as the hows, using carefully documented commentary on why each approach is used. This book is ideal for experienced Delphi programmers expanding to the Linux operating system through Kylix and existing Linux developers wishing to develop GUI-based programs under Linux.