 [Larger view] | Effective STL: 50 Specific Ways to Improve Your Use of the Standard Template Library
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| A must-have for C++ programmers | |
| If you're a C++ programmer who has never used STL, or if you've ever programmed using STL and you've only read documentation on what STL containers and algorithms do (as opposed to how to use them), you must get this book and read it. Your natural inclination as a C++ programmer will prevent you from getting the most from STL. Every one of the 50 items in this book are helpful, and they are often written in a humorous manner, which makes it a very enjoyable (and informative) read. Lots of STL books tell you what STL containers and algorithms do. Scott teaches you (at least) two things that are hard to get in other books: 1) How the STL containers work and 2) How to best use them for your purposes. If you've ever stared at a 2,000 character error message from STL and just shook your head, if you hand-write loops for simple container operations, if you ever wondered whether you need to write a custom allocator, you need this book. Just by reading and understanding about 1/2 of the items in this book, my knowledge of STL has increased tenfold, and the enjoyable style of the writing made it fun! | |
| Great Supplement to Introductory and Reference Books on STL | |
| This book follows in the manner of Scott Meyers' other excellent C++ books (Effective C++ and More Effective C++). It is divided into 50 "items" covering specific topics in using the Standard C++ Standard Library neatly grouped into 7 chapters on effective use of the containers, iterators and algorithms that make up the Library. This is a very good supplement to more basic and comprehensive books like The C++ Standard Library, by Nicolai Josuttis. Meyers' book assumes you have a basic familiarity with the inventory and interfaces of the STL and shows you how to use the STL more efficiently, safely and clearly. The book can be a little frustrating for those who just want a "do it this way" approach. Each item in the book takes you through the reasoning behind why it's better to use the STL in one way and not another. But, in the long run, this is a much more effective approach. The "why" is as important has the "how". The book also contains plenty of crossreferences between items, so it makes a good reference when you are done reading it through. | |
| Good book for experienced stl user | |
| Frankly this is not a beginner's book. You need some deep knowledge of c++ templates and working knowledge of stl to make the best out of this book. Aside from introducing some caveats in STL programming, the main achievement of this book is to introduce the more descent part of STL which is less commonly used. If you only use STL in the same way you use traditional data structure interfaces, this is the book for you. |
