The C++ Standard Library: A Tutorial and Reference

The C++ Standard Library provides plenty of default functionality in the form of the Standard Template Library (STL) for containers (like vectors and linked lists), as well as generic algorithms (which allow you to sort, search, and manipulate elements inside containers). The best thing about The C++ Standard Library is that it gives the reader a concise guide to working with these basic containers (from lists to sets and maps, with everything in between). Each container type is explained along with short code excerpts. Moreover, in a reference section, the author explores the connections between each container type, showing how they share similar methods. (Learn just a few methods and you can pretty much work with them all.)

In addition to STL, this book excels at providing a readable introduction to the generic algorithms (which can be used to sort, search, and otherwise manipulate STL containers). Other books either fold this material in with the explanation of containers or make it seem like an esoteric topic. The fact is, generic algorithms work with all the STL types, and by separating these algorithms out like this the reader can learn the rich array of algorithms available in today's standard C++. While this book concentrates on STL and algorithms, readers will still find great coverage on Standard Library string classes and streams (including a fine section on internationalization and locales).

For the beginning or intermediate C++ programmer, The C++ Standard Library can be a real timesaver. It arranges and explains the complexities of the C++ Standard Library and STL in a manageable format that's great as a reference and as an approach to programming. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: history of C++ and the Standard Library, template basics, Big-O Notation, the std namespace, standard exceptions, allocators, standard library utilities, pairs and auto_ptr, numeric limits, the Standard Template Library (STL) basics, containers, iterators, algorithms, vectors, lists, deques, strings, sets, multisets, bitsets, maps, multimaps, stacks, queues, iterator adapters, function objects, element requirements, value and reference semantics, complex numbers, valarrays, stream classes, stream manipulators and formatting, file I/O, internationalization, and locales.

Product Description
Complete and comprehensive coverage is given of the full ANSI/ISO C++ standard.

The book reminds of Richard Stevens's famous UNIX books. Incredibly complete, incredibly detailed, incredibly accurate, and a great tutorial and reference at the same time. And, best of all, it's just as accessible to someone who is not a real expert as it is for someone who's been using C++ for years.

This is one of the *very* few books that get a spot on my top shelf. A classic that I will come back to again and again.


Can't Find a Better Book Than This   June 19, 2000
Tan Kwan Seng (Singapore)
31 out of 33 found this review helpful

I have been looking for a book that explains the STL well. This book is it. The code examples are very useful and it is very thoughtful of the author to use those code. However, I must point out that I had to spend quite some time making amendments to the errata (available on the authors webiste) as I was holding the 1st printing. It is definitely not an easy task to come up with a book as this... and making errors is inevitable. Fortunately, the later printings (3rd and 4th) has substantially less errata.

After making the amendments and then reading the book, many would agree with me that it is a book that deserve a 5-star rating. I agree with the editorial review regarding the usefulness of the book but I do not think that such a book is appropriate for a beginner C++ programmer. A certain level of proficiency in the language is required to really appreciate what is written.

If your intention is to know to know STL, try to get the later printing (less errata)----4th printing...so that you need to make less corrections.


"Must Have" Reference for C++ Programmers   January 11, 2002
Paul M. Dubuc (Columbus, OH USA)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

This book is excellent. It succeeds equally well as a tutorial and a reference. It has very extensive coverage of the C++ Standard Library (including Standard Templates). Very well explained and organized. You can read the book straight though or skip around. Open the book anywhere and start reading and you won't get lost. There are numerous cross-references to prerequisite topics right in the text. There is a very useful quick reference at the end of each chapter and numerous tables and diagrams throughout. Errors are very minor (probably corrected in later printings than mine). Errata sheets are available from the publisher's web site. This very valueable book fills an important need for C++ programers.

This book is not a beginner's text. To quickly learn the basics of C++, look at Stanley Lippman's "Essential C++".


Great Reference and Good Read   July 6, 2006
Harvey Sugar (Washington, DC)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

The C++ Standard Library: A Tutorial and Reference is an excellent choice if you need to update your knowledge of C++ programming. The book starts with a quick review of new language features that were added during the standards process. Then each component of the C++ standard library is examined in detail. The material is very readable as well as thorough. I originally bought this book as a reference but found myself reading most of the book.