Bestselling Programming Tutorial and Reference Completely Rewritten for the New C++11 Standard
Fully updated and recast for the newly released C++11 standard, this authoritative and comprehensive introduction to C++ will help you to learn the language fast, and to use it in modern, highly effective ways. Highlighting today’s best practices, the authors show how to use both the core language and its standard library to write efficient, readable, and powerful code.
C++ Primer, Fifth Edition, introduces the C++ standard library from the outset, drawing on its common functions and facilities to help you write useful programs without first having to master every language detail. The book’s many examples have been revised to use the new language features and demonstrate how to make the best use of them. This book is a proven tutorial for those new to C++, an authoritative discussion of core C++ concepts and techniques, and a valuable resource for experienced programmers, especially those eager to see C++11 enhancements illuminated.
Start Fast and Achieve More
- Learn how to use the new C++11 language features and the standard library to build robust programs quickly, and get comfortable with high-level programming
- Learn through examples that illuminate today’s best coding styles and program design techniques
- Understand the “rationale behind the rules”: why C++11 works as it does
- Use the extensive cross-references to help you connect related concepts and insights
- Benefit from up-to-date learning aids and exercises that emphasize key points, help you to avoid pitfalls, promote good practices, and reinforce what you’ve learned
Access the source code for the extended examples from informit.com/title/0321714113
C++ Primer, Fifth Edition, features an enhanced, layflat binding, which allows the book to stay open more easily when placed on a flat surface. This special binding method—notable by a small space inside the spine—also increases durability.
aforetaste –
Really insightful into the depths of C++ while staying easy to understand
I have been programming for years but I wanted a deeper understanding of C++ so I bought this book. Its not the newest version of the language but there are a lot of really good tips in this book. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to get better at C++
One person found this helpful
James Cole –
Perspective from a beginner
I am not a paid shill. I am new to programming and have only dabbled lightly in JavaScript. At time of review I am currently 250 pages into the book.The Physical:The physical quality of the book is amazing. The binding really helps the book lay flat while avoiding awkward spiral binding found in some books. The text is printed clearly is and is easy to read.The Content:The overwhelming consensus is that C++ is a more difficult language to grasp (than other languages) as a person new to programming. In the little bit of time I have spent learning JavaScript compared to C++, I can confirm that statement as being true.This book does not provide a magic bullet for grasping unusual concepts. It does however explain everything in detail and in a manner that is clear. Areas of the book can quickly become overwhelming especially if previous information is not clearly understood.I am currently taking a Udemy course in parallel with reading this book and each learning mechanism compliments the other. I also am referencing a github repository with completed exercises for concepts I am struggling with. Typically I will read 5-6 pages and try to apply that knowledge in a program. I find that if I spend too much time reading without much time practicing the concepts, then the information is lost in memory.The book has an excellent index in the back that makes using this as a reference manual very appealing.The book is quite dense and moves over some complicated concepts rather quickly. I am often having to reread paragraphs and practice code to fully understand what the book is trying to tell me. This book is a great resource for someone wanting to learn C++. If you are absolutely new to programming, you will want a second (more) beginner friendly source of information to aid in understanding some difficult concepts.
36 people found this helpful
MElenG –
Learned a lot
First quality. An excellent book, well written. If you want to learn the C++ language, if you do not own any other C++ book, if you already know how to program, and if you are willing to spend several months with one and the same source, I’d say: do not hesitate, this book is for you! Be aware though, that the exercises are, in my opinion, a disadvantage, because they are so small (sometimes even trivial); however, at the same time I understand that the book is mostly intended as an exposition, not as an “interactive” guide. (Final note: pages and typesetting are very nice, but the binding is great.)
3 people found this helpful
Sadia Akhter –
Very good book for learning C++
I was looking for a good C++ book and this book ended my search. It’s well organized, covered all the basics of C++. More importantly, when I tried other books of C++, mostly they start with C as a subset of C++ and the C++ features are left at end of the book. But in this book, you will find that the authors tried to introduce C++ features whenever it seems appropriate. They did not take approach of teaching C first and then C++. I already know C so I like this approach better.
4 people found this helpful
Gnat –
Nice book for C++ learning
I searched a lot about the C++ book online before purchasing. After reading it for a few days, I found that this book is really good with detailed explaination which is easy to understand. I highly recommended this one for beginning learners and this is also good as a dictionary or reference for future.
Anthony –
I haven’t finished reading it yet but the first few chapters are very detailed and have pretty helpful margin icons(C++11 implem
It was here really fast. As far as content, it’s been helpful. I haven’t finished reading it yet but the first few chapters are very detailed and have pretty helpful margin icons(C++11 implementation, pay attention to this, this part can be tricky, etc.). I’ve read a couple of other books and online tutorials on the language and this one explains it the best I think. It starts talking about class objects by the end of chapter one, so you may want to have a little programming experience beforehand if not C++ experience.
3 people found this helpful
Rich Henry –
For once a technical book contains exactly what you want and expect.
Suitable for building a solid foundation, but perhaps a tiny bit fast for a 100% beginner. Follow this one up with Scott Meyer’s Effective Modern C++ and you will be ready for action.
2 people found this helpful
yixinyiyi –
THE C++ textbook you need if you want to strengthen …
THE C++ textbook you need if you want to strengthen your fundamentals. Very clear and straightforward explanations on abstract concepts, with a lot of helpful examples
One person found this helpful
Jeff H –
This is my second book on c++
of course I am retired and i am just doing this for fun. The authors of this book make me really think and work to get it, Just what I wanted.
One person found this helpful
Prime-ate –
Terrific book on C++
I have 2 or 3 editions of this. It’s readable, understandable, and well written. I added this addition to help me learn the newest C++ changes gain Lippman’s insights into them. I’ll probably get another copy for the office so I don’t have to tote it around.
2 people found this helpful
William J. Brown –
My 3rd Edition
I purchased the first edition of this book a few years back when it was one of the only books available. It has only gotten better with time as the language has become more complex and nightmarish.
One person found this helpful
M. Jenkins –
I really like this book as a C++ reference and as a tutorial
I bought this book as a reference for an advanced software engineering class. I liked it to much that I bought another copy for my daughter who has to learn C++ as part of a compsci language features class. The book works as both a tutorial, with the first few chapters written for someone with no C/C++ experience, and subsequent chapters going very deep into C++ language features. The index in the back of the book is great for quickly locating topics/keywords. The book covers its material at several depths; it is easy to read as little or as much as one needs for the task at hand.
Stephen Lossner –
Best book yet in Stanley Lippman’s C++ Primer series
Best book yet in Stanley Lippman’s C++ Primer series. Must have book for anyone wanting to learn what C++11 is all about.
One person found this helpful
B.K. –
An excellent book. Two thumbs up.
This is a very well written book. I’m an experienced programmer (C# and I have had experience with C++ a few years back, but nothing too serious), so it’s hard for me to judge this from a beginner’s perspective; however, my experience gives me a bit of an insight into what a book should include and how the material should be structured. I know what I want to get out of a book and so it makes it easy for me to judge whether that requirement has been fulfilled. I must say that this book has managed well in every aspect. It does a good job of explaining things well enough, without making it all too dry and boring. Many books do a poor job of focusing too much on some topics to the point where it’s unbearable to read them, while failing to cover certain topics in any reasonable detail. I haven’t had any issues with this one. It’s a pretty thick book (~900 pages of actual material) and it does a good job of putting it all together. It feels like it was written by real working human beings, rather than some academic poindexter with no real-life experience. There’s no pointless humor and at the same time there is absolutely no attempt at sounding superior in any of explanations in attempt to impress the reader. This book is a very easy read. I am incredibly picky on books and it’s not easy to please me — I haven’t found any faults worth of mentioning with this book. I don’t think a beginner will have too much difficulty with this book and I definitely think that experienced programmers wanting to brush up on their C++ will get a lot out of this. This thing will stay in my library (it’s a shame there’s no hardcover version, I enjoy those).As a tip to any beginners, read through the book lightly for the first time. What I mean is that don’t attempt to understand everything right away and don’t focus too much on the details. Make a note of the areas you had difficulty understanding, do a slight research to see if you can grasp it right away, but don’t focus on that too much. You’ll be surprised how much of the earlier information will become clear and a second nature to you as you progress further. Once you’re done with your first read-through, go back and see if you still don’t understand any of the areas you’ve marked down. I’m sure that you’ll be able to eliminate many of them. At this point, focus heavily on the areas you still have difficulty with. Of course, results will vary and not everyone learns the same way, but this has worked out very well for me. That’s how I study for everything. I read through any material very lightly the firs time around, to get the general feeling and find the areas I’ll be focusing on, and then go back to focus on those details. This strategy helped me maintain 4.0 in Computer Science, so the results are real (but once again, it may vary by person).
112 people found this helpful
W. E. Blum –
Very comprehensive guide to learning C++
Even if you’ve got a background in other languages, you’ll probably find something useful in here if you’re trying to learn and master C++. With the updates for C++11, this is a must-have if you’re new to the language.
One person found this helpful
Chris J. –
so I read around and C++ Primer was highly recommended. I picked it up and read throughout the …
As a student that was in-between CSCI 221(Spring) and CSCI 222(Fall) classes this past summer, I did not want lose some valuable information between classes and to keep my mind “fresh” and ready for 222, so I read around and C++ Primer was highly recommended.I picked it up and read throughout the summer and while it may be simple, programming has never been my forte, so I did not want to fall behind. First week through classes and I must say, I feel that “currently” I am ahead of the curve thus far compared to some others in the class and seem to have a better understanding of the material at this point in time.
5 people found this helpful
Aaron Killeen –
Good Coverage of the New C++ 11 Features
If you’re looking to learn c++ starting from scratch first start with some youtube tutorials, get to where they teach you about classes and become reasonably comfortable with the basic class operations also be comfortable with the stuff they teach before that. Once you’ve done that, you should be able to really appreciate a more logical and formalized explanation of all of the basic aspects of the language. I just got to part 3 and I feel like this book does a very good job filling in the gaps. But before I start a new chapter on something I didn’t know, I usually consult a youtube tutorial just to get a basic idea of what the heck the thing actually does and the very basic operations, then I read the chapter for a thorough exposition. That’s what I had to do for associative containers and dynamic memory, because I felt I couldn’t appreciate the fine details without having first gotten my feet a little wet.Overall an outstanding book.
9 people found this helpful
Engineer –
Highly recommended by a friend whom I consider to be the …
Highly recommended by a friend whom I consider to be the source on programming. I mainly use as reference and to get additional understanding on topics, but I am totally satisfied and am certain I will come back to this book again and again.
2 people found this helpful
carlos –
… the process of reading it but so far so good. Very educational and easy to follow
still in the process of reading it but so far so good. Very educational and easy to follow. I have a basic understanding of programming but this book is strenging that knowledge.
Rahul Gupta –
Best Book I have Read till now
This is the best book. Revise the book 3 times and you will be master in C++. I loved this book more than “C++ Primer Plus”
2 people found this helpful
Danny S. Aldana –
good I suggest “jumping into c++” for complete beginners
i like this books layout, you can jump in the book and so one small section of a chapter and pause. i don’t recommend this for complete beginners, i suggest for a complete new to programming person this book: Jumping into C++ Paperback – April 19, 2013by Alex Allain (Author). I have both these and without “jumping into c++” i’m not sure i would have followed “primer”. haven’t finished the book but so far lots of interesting explanations.
3 people found this helpful
Ding Zuoyang –
Perfect book
Perfect book. If you wanna study c++ and you have some knowledge of c, start your learning with this book.
One person found this helpful
Spaceman –
A worth read ..
Even if you an experienced C++ developer, this is definitely a worth read even if already own the 4th of “The C++ Programming Language ” book.
One person found this helpful
Amazon Customer –
very good!
This is a wonderful book to read. I would rate this as the #1 book to study C++ if you are not a beginner to programming. It is very complete and useful.
yco –
Conceptually clear and precise book for intermediate readers
The is book is not for beginners. You will appreciate precise and accurate description of C++’s important concepts by the authors after you have accumulated a certain amount of basic knowledge of the language. I used the book along with Stroustrup’s C++ Programming classic as a reference to my Data Structures course. While reading the book I realize even my instructor is misusing declaration and definition of variables intermittently and confuses the difference between copy and assignment. I find it extremely makes sense for a long-term C-language programmer how the book teaches to avert and stick to modern C++ programming style. Indeed you will appreciate why C++ is strongly typed language and its beauty. Thanks for the authors!
2 people found this helpful
OnionKnives –
By far the best book for C++
This is by far the best C plus plus resource that I have. It goes through every detail, and explains everything thoroughly. Even if you know some about programming already, I would recommend that you start from the beginning and read everything. It doesn’t just tell you what to do and how to do it, but also why. Additionally, the book doesn’t have Pages app on endless pages of code. It shows you exactly as much code as it needs to to demonstrate the ideas it is trying to convey. If this is your first attempt at learning programming, this is absolutely the book that you should read.
One person found this helpful
Uncle WangUncle Wang –
Five Stars
Is this normal? The spine of this book seems to be stripped out when I received this book.
18 people found this helpful
saki45 –
A Must-Have
Purchased this book to replace the old version. As to a C++ programmer I have to say this book is a must-have if you want to learn C++.
2 people found this helpful
luca1972 –
but this one is a nice exception. Very clear
I have always been scared by books the same size of a Bible, but this one is a nice exception. Very clear, tons of examples and nice exercises to verify step by step if I am really learning or just reading…It’s not a “hands on” book, you will need to read hundreds of pages before having enough stuff to do some serious programming. But once you are there, your mastership of C++ will be solid, not just an amateur.
4 people found this helpful
141xcg –
Excellent
This is an excellent book- most books on programming languages tend to feature (as someone else either here or on some other forum has noted) some brash attempts at humor that are silly at best. The material is concisely explained. It helps if you have some programming experience when you read this book. The only complaint I have is that it’s hard to place it spine down and read as you work your way through the exercises on a laptop. This particularly for the early and late chapters. In this respect one is better off with a DRM free version on a larger screen.
3 people found this helpful
Shankar N. Swamy –
If you are buying only one book for Modern C++ (read: C++11), buy this one!
Tue May 31 2016 10:00:09 GMT-0700 (Pacific Standard Time)About a year ago, I had to upgrade to C++11/14 and due to constraints on my time, started reading selected portions of this highly readable book. During the process, I immediately noticed the crisp, precision and accuracy of the writing and eventually over next seven or so months, ended up reading it completely!For one example, you could see how they explain, towards the end of the book, the C++ memory allocation options. Many years ago, another (admittedly otherwise good) book tried to explain the nuances of “new expression”, “placement new” and the “operator new library function” in a supposedly funny yet readable way but ended up completely confusing most readers. Even recently, I have run into people who were misguided by that book in their understanding of C++ memory management! In the current book, the authors took less than three pages to lay out the whole story clear and complete. This is but one example.The best parts of the book are its coverage and writing style: comprehensive, accurate and readable. Good technical editing and extensive proof reading are evident. It does not seem like there are many typos left in the ~900 pages thick book (and hopefully there would be five less of them in the next edition – if they take in my corrections). The expertise of the authors is consistently conspicuous throughout. Using this book for day-to-day C++ programming brings back the sense of security one experienced using Harbison and Steele’s “C A Reference Manual” with C programming.During the prime days of C, there were three essential books: “Kernighan & Ritchie”, “C A Reference Manual” and “C Traps and Pitfalls”. The current book is like the modern C++ reincarnation of all those three and more.From the layout of the pages, it is apparent that the authors and publishers have struggled with the size of the book: they seem to have gone to the extremes to save space!
27 people found this helpful
Sarath Barathi –
The best C++ book I have ever read
I read from cover to cover and I feel lot more confident in C++. The author has structured it so well that it goes from basics to more advanced concepts giving a complete picture on C++. I highly recommend it and if you are new to C++ then do not use it as reference instead read from end to end. It will take time but it is completely worth it. You will transition from a beginner to an expert (or at least intermediate level).
One person found this helpful
Amazon Customer –
Best book you ever need to get an introductory view of c++ if you have background in C
This book is everything that I would expect it to be. Thorough explanation and good practice throughout the book. Don’t hesitate to buy it if you have considerable coding background.
2 people found this helpful
John E –
Really good book as a reference, not good for beginners. Include this book with your beginners book when learning Cpp.
I’m not a college student but I have a web-development experience using JavaScript and learning C++ through Unreal Engine 4. My experience with this book, as a person with no prior Cpp experience, is like a God-send to me because everything what I am learning online is being concatenated into a single source of reference. The book covers everything I need to know to have a working scripts for my video-game and as a person growing up knowing the Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) that this book also reference it’s just purely amazing looking up chapters-by-chapters getting know how each works.Right now I am having trouble figuring out what std::map and using map does in Cpp until I read a couple pages then I immediately understand the key features.
13 people found this helpful