15 Best C++ Programming Book

🧑‍💻 By quescol • 📅 Published on: 21 June 2024

1. “The C++ Programming Language” by Bjarne Stroustrup

Review: This book, written by the creator of C++, is an authoritative guide to the language. It covers basic to advanced topics in great detail. The explanations are clear, and the examples are practical, making it a must-read for serious C++ programmers.

Pros:

• Written by the creator of C++.
• Comprehensive and detailed.
• Practical examples and clear explanations.

Cons:

• Can be dense for beginners.
• Requires some prior programming knowledge.
• Some topics are very technical.

2. “Effective C++” by Scott Meyers

Review: “Effective C++” provides practical advice and best practices for writing high-quality C++ code. The book is organized into 55 specific guidelines, each with detailed explanations and examples. It is highly recommended for improving coding skills.

Pros:

• Practical tips and best practices.
• Well-organized with specific guidelines.
• Clear explanations and examples.

Cons:

• Assumes some knowledge of C++.
• Not suitable for absolute beginners.
• Some advanced concepts may be challenging.

3. “C++ Primer” by Stanley B. Lippman, Josée Lajoie, and Barbara E. Moo

Review: “C++ Primer” is a comprehensive guide to C++ programming, covering the basics and advanced features of the language. The book is well-structured and includes many examples and exercises to reinforce learning.

Pros:

• Comprehensive coverage of C++.
• Well-structured and easy to follow.
• Many examples and exercises.

Cons:

• Some sections may be dense for beginners.
• Requires some prior programming knowledge.
• Writing style can be technical.

4. “Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++” by Bjarne Stroustrup

Review: This book, also written by the creator of C++, is designed for beginners and covers the principles of programming using C++. It provides a solid foundation in both programming concepts and the C++ language.

Pros:

• Written by the creator of C++.
• Suitable for beginners.
• Covers both programming principles and C++.

Cons:

• Some topics may be advanced for complete beginners.
• Writing style can be dense.
• Requires time to absorb the material.

5. “Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example” by Andrew Koenig and Barbara E. Moo

Review: “Accelerated C++” takes a practical approach to teaching C++, focusing on examples and hands-on learning. The book covers core concepts quickly, making it suitable for those who want to learn C++ efficiently.

Pros:

• Practical, example-based approach.
• Focuses on core concepts.
• Efficient learning.

Cons:

• Fast-paced for absolute beginners.
• Some advanced topics are not covered in depth.
• Assumes some prior programming knowledge.

6. “More Effective C++” by Scott Meyers

Review: This book is a follow-up to “Effective C++” and provides 35 additional guidelines for writing better C++ code. Each guideline is explained in detail with examples, making it a valuable resource for intermediate to advanced programmers.

Pros:

• Additional practical tips and best practices.
• Detailed explanations and examples.
• Builds on concepts from “Effective C++”.

Cons:

• Not suitable for beginners.
• Requires knowledge of C++.
• Some guidelines may be complex.

7. “The C++ Standard Library: A Tutorial and Reference” by Nicolai M. Josuttis

Review: This book is a comprehensive guide to the C++ Standard Library. It provides detailed coverage of the library’s components and how to use them effectively. The book is well-organized and includes practical examples.

Pros:

• Comprehensive coverage of the C++ Standard Library.
• Well-organized and detailed.
• Practical examples.

Cons:

• Not for beginners.
• Requires knowledge of C++.
• Some sections are very technical.

8. “C++ Templates: The Complete Guide” by David Vandevoorde and Nicolai M. Josuttis

Review: This book provides an in-depth look at C++ templates. It covers template basics, advanced techniques, and practical applications. The explanations are clear, and the examples help illustrate complex concepts.

Pros:

• In-depth coverage of C++ templates.
• Clear explanations.
• Practical examples.

Cons:

• Requires advanced knowledge of C++.
• Not suitable for beginners.
• Some concepts are very technical.

9. “Effective Modern C++” by Scott Meyers

Review: “Effective Modern C++” provides 42 specific guidelines for writing effective C++11 and C++14 code. The book is well-organized, with clear explanations and practical examples. It is essential for staying current with modern C++ practices.

Pros:

• Covers modern C++ practices.
• Clear guidelines and explanations.
• Practical examples.

Cons:

• Requires knowledge of C++11 and C++14.
• Not for beginners.
• Some guidelines are advanced.

10. “C++ Concurrency in Action” by Anthony Williams

Review: This book focuses on concurrent programming in C++. It covers threading, synchronization, and other concurrency topics with practical examples. The book is essential for developers working on multi-threaded applications.

Pros:

• Comprehensive coverage of concurrency in C++.
• Practical examples.
• Essential for multi-threaded programming.

Cons:

• Requires advanced knowledge of C++.
• Not suitable for beginners.
• Some concepts are complex.

11. “C++ Programming Language, Fourth Edition” by Bjarne Stroustrup

Review: The fourth edition of “The C++ Programming Language” by Bjarne Stroustrup covers both C++11 and C++14 standards. It provides a comprehensive and detailed guide to the language, written by its creator.

Pros:

• Covers modern C++ standards.
• Comprehensive and authoritative.
• Written by the creator of C++.

Cons:

• Dense and technical.
• Requires prior knowledge of C++.
• Not for absolute beginners.

12. “C++ How to Program” by Paul Deitel and Harvey Deitel

Review: This book provides a comprehensive introduction to C++ programming. It covers basic to advanced topics and includes many examples and exercises. The book is suitable for both beginners and experienced programmers.

Pros:

• Comprehensive coverage.
• Many examples and exercises.
• Suitable for all levels.

Cons:

• Some sections may be dense for beginners.
• Writing style can be technical.
• Some advanced topics might need more depth.

13. “Professional C++” by Marc Gregoire, Nicholas A. Solter, and Scott J. Kleper

Review: “Professional C++” provides in-depth coverage of advanced C++ programming techniques. The book includes practical examples and best practices, making it a valuable resource for experienced developers.

Pros:

• In-depth coverage of advanced techniques.
• Practical examples and best practices.
• Suitable for experienced developers.

Cons:

• Not for beginners.
• Requires prior knowledge of C++.
• Some sections are very technical.

14. “Effective STL” by Scott Meyers

Review: This book provides 50 specific guidelines for using the Standard Template Library (STL) in C++. The guidelines are practical and include detailed explanations and examples, making it essential for effective STL usage.

Pros:

• Practical tips for using STL.
• Detailed explanations and examples.
• Helps improve STL usage skills.

Cons:

• Requires knowledge of C++ and STL.
• Not for beginners.
• Some guidelines are advanced.

15. “Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ (Second Edition)” by Bjarne Stroustrup

Review: The second edition of this book offers a comprehensive introduction to programming using C++. It covers basic to advanced topics and includes practical examples and exercises. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced programmers.

Pros:

• Comprehensive coverage.
• Practical examples and exercises.
• Suitable for all levels.

Cons:

• Some sections may be dense.
• Requires time to absorb the material.
• Writing style can be technical.