Thinking in Java
This is the Thinking in C++ approach applied to the Java language,
except that the book doesn't expect you to know C or C++. In fact, even if
you've only programmed in macro languages you should be able to tackle Java with
this book.
The primary emphasis is on the understanding of the language fundamentals,
which are introduced a step at a time using small, simple examples. You're
taught one feature at a time, and only when you understand the programming
language are the abstract window toolkit and applets introduced.
My public Java seminar is
based on the book. For details the free electronic version of the book, and
ordering information for the printed version of the book, click here.
Thinking in C++
This book won the Software Development Magazine Jolt Award for best book
published in 1995. Downloadable and
printed books available here).
You can't just look at C++ as a collection of
features; some of the features make no sense in isolation. You can only use the
sum of the parts if you are thinking about design, not simply coding. And to
understand C++ in this way, you must understand the problems with C and with
programming in general. This book discusses programming problems, why they are
problems, and the approach C++ has taken to solve such problems. Thus, the set
of features I explain in each chapter will be based on the way I see a
particular type of problem being solved with the language. In this way I hope to
move you, a little at a time, from understanding C (the book assumes you already
program in C) to the point where the C++ mindset becomes your native tongue. My
goals in this book are to:
- Present the material a simple step at a time, so the reader can easily
digest each concept before moving on.
- Use examples that are as simple and short as possible.
- Carefully sequence the presentation of features so that you aren't seeing
something you haven't been exposed to. Of course, this isn't always possible; in
those situations, a brief introductory description will be given.
- Give you what I think is important for you to understand about the language,
rather than everything I know. I believe there is an "information
importance hierarchy," and there are some facts that 95% of programmers
will never need to know, but would just confuse people and add to their
perception of the complexity of the language.
- Keep each section focused enough so the lecture time - and the time between
exercise periods - is small. Not only does this keep the audience' minds more
active and involved during a hands-on seminar, but it gives the reader a greater
sense of accomplishment.
- Provide the reader with a solid foundation so they can understand the issues
well enough to move on to more difficult coursework and books.
What they say:
"This book is a tremendous achievement. You owe it to yourself to
have a copy on your shelf. The chapter on iostreams is the most
comprehensive and understandable treatment of that subject I've seen to
date."
Al Stevens
Contributing Editor, Doctor Dobbs Journal
"Eckel's book is the only one to so clearly explain how to rethink
program construction for object orientation. That the book is also an
excellent tutorial on the ins and outs of C++ is an added bonus."
Andrew Binstock
Editor, Unix Review
"Bruce continues to amaze me with his insight into C++, and
Thinking in C++ is his best collection of ideas yet. If you want
clear answers to difficult questions about C++, buy this outstanding
book."
Gary Entsminger
Author, The Tao of Objects
"Thinking in C++ patiently and methodically explores the
issues of when and how to use inlines, references, operator overloading,
inheritance and dynamic objects, as well as advanced topics such as the
proper use of templates, exceptions and multiple inheritance. The entire
effort is woven in a fabric that includes Eckel's own philosophy of object
and program design. A must for every C++ developer's bookshelf, Thinking
in C++ is the one C++ book you must have if you're doing serious
development with C++."
Richard Hale Shaw
Contributing Editor, PC Magazine
C++ Inside &
Out
(Osborne/McGraw-Hill 1993, ISBN: 0-07-881809-5. Order
directly from its page on Amazon.com).
Click here for book source code
Although C++ is easily taught to C programmers, the audience of this book is
intended to be simply those who have programmed in another language. The closer
your language is to C, the easier time you'll have; for example, a Pascal
programmer will have an easy transition. However, it should also be possible for
a Fortran (or even BASIC, my own first language) programmer to learn C++ from
this book. The ANSI C language (supported by virtually all commercial compilers)
is taught along with C++ in the early parts of the book and as the book
progresses. Elements which are part of ANSI C are clearly specified, and any
incompatibilities are shown.
From the success of the first edition of this book (Using C++, 1989)
and the comments I've gotten from readers, I think I took the right path. That
is, C++ cannot effectively be treated as just an extension to C. You cannot take
a C book and add a couple of chapters on classes and inheritance and have a C++
book. C++ is a different language.
This may seem confusing at first, because C++ is indeed a superset of C, and
a C programmer can begin using a C compiler with virtually no effort. Much of
the value of C++ to C programmers, at least initially, is that C++ is pickier
and will find numerous errors that a C compiler allows (for this reason, a C++
compiler is even a better way to learn C!). However, C++ is an entirely
different approach to programming. The beauty of it is that, as a procedural
programmer, you'll have a much easier time adapting to the new features since
the old features are familiar.
Note the C++ in this book is reasonably accurate, but it's circa 1992. You
may want to consider following this book with the more recent Thinking in
C++.
Description of Chapters in "C++ Inside &
Out"
Black Belt C++, The Master's
Collection
Edited by Bruce Eckel. M&T Books 1994, ISBN: 1-55851-334-5. (This book is
out of print, but sometimes copies can be located through its page
on Amazon.com) (No source code for this book)
When I took over the C track for the Software Development Conference in 1991,
it was clear (in my imagination only) that everyone wanted it to become the C++
track - why else would they want me to do it? Since SD had started as a C
conference, there was some surprise when the change came about but it soon
turned to pleasant surprise, since the track became the largest draw in the
conference (sometimes eclipsed by its companion track on Windows programming,
also heavily C++ oriented). In this book you'll see what makes the track so
popular.
I believe that people (or rather, their companies) don't pay a lot of money
to come to a conference to see things they can find in books. The pre-conference
tutorials provide a grounding in the language, but for the conference proper I
strive to have topics that fill the gaps in your knowledge using novel and
well-crafted approaches. In addition, I feel that most of the talks should push
you beyond the boundaries of what you normally think about in programming. I've
personally found that if I exceed my boundaries, I learn techniques that give
even the most mundane of tasks an elegant solution. When you come to a
conference like SD, you shouldn't return just "trained," but instead
lifted to a whole new programming plane. While this book won't produce the same
experience you get from attending the conference (especially the hallway
conversations) it draws you into deeper thinking about the language just as the
conference does.
The authors in this book are all experts in their subjects. They share my
lack of tolerance for inaccuracy. But these authors are more than just technical
experts: they're good presenters. I believe a good conference - and a good book
- should be entertaining. One thing you'll notice is that the voice of each
author is distinct: I've made a point to leave the personality in their writing.
So you won't be bored in these pages.
Although I've met many of the people in this book through conferences, some
I've come to know under more interesting circumstances. I worked with Tom Keffer
for a year as a researcher while he was at the University of Washington School
of Oceanography where both of us did our original C++ work. His company Rogue
Wave (referring to an oceanographic phenomenon) continues to lure scientists and
engineers away from FORTRAN by providing useful C++ class libraries. Scott
Meyers and I have climbed Half Dome (not the face, the backside) in Yosemite
together. I first met Dan Saks at the organizational meeting for the ANSI/ISO
C++ committee in Washington DC where he volunteered to be secretary. At the time
I thought it was insane, and I'm regularly amazed at his endurance in the
position. Tim Gooch first appeared in one of my presentations, embarrassing me
by asking very intelligent questions (that boomed from the back of the room,
carried on his actor-trained voice) that I couldn't answer. Steven Sheetz
appeared at an entrepreneur's conference for Midnight Engineering magazine,
looking for guinea pigs for his doctoral dissertation. And as you'll discover
through their writing, each of the authors in this book is unique.
Description of Chapters in "Black Belt
C++"
Using C++
(Osborne/McGraw-Hill 1989. ISBN: 0-07-881522-3). One of the first books out
on C++. This is replaced by its second edition, the renamed C++ Inside &
Out (described above). If you want a copy of this book you may be able to
get it through its page
on Amazon.com.
Computer Interfacing
with Pascal & C
(Eisys 1988. ISBN 0-89716-211-0). $30, includes shipping (via Priority Mail)
and handling within the US.
Contact
to find out the total cost to ship outside the US.
My very first book, self-published from my Hardware+Software columns in the
now-defunct Micro Cornucopia Magazine. Some of the material is dated (early
chapters use CP/M, switching about midway through the book to the IBM PC bus),
but you can still get some pretty good ideas. The book was given a favorable
review in Dr. Dobb's Journal by Jeff Duntemann. Quotes from Micro Cornucopia
editors:
"Quite simply the best microcomputer electronics book I've read. If
you're at all interested in basic electronics applied to microcomputers then buy
this book!" Larry Fogg, Technical Editor, Micro Cornucopia Magazine.
"Bruce writes about his discoveries with an enthusiasm and clarity that
have made him probably the best-read Micro C writer." From the foreword by
David Thompson, Editor & Publisher, Micro Cornucopia Magazine.
Chapters are:
- Connecting a Stepper Motor to your Computer
- Concise Computer Electronics
- A Simple Digital Oscilloscope
- A Scanning Temperature Measurement System
- Digital-to-Analog Conversion
- Controlling AC Power
- Tools for Quick System Construction
- Controlling Synchronous Serial Chips
- The Mysteries of RS-232
- A/D Conversion through the Printer Port
- Build a PC Adapter Card
Videos. Bruce is also
the author of:
- Borland's World of C++. An alternately serious and whimsical
introduction to C++, hosted by David Intersimone. Bruce was responsible for the
technical part of this tape (not the silly bits) but you won't see him on
screen. Order directly from Borland.
- Borland's Beyond the World of C++. Here you'll get to spend a
couple of hours with Bruce in a live presentation of more intermediate C++
material. A lot of editing was performed to tighten the presentation, so it's
reasonably dense. Order directly from Borland.
- C++ Inside & Out: Note that the video promised in the book has never
been made, so it's not available.
