C++ | Progresssion Path

Question

I know the basic OOP-related topics, RTTI, Templates. Reverting back from Java' Collection Framework, I tried to find such collections in C++ and found STL, and am trying to use it in my projects (although I don't know them in and out). I searched and found recommendations for books like Accelerated C++, Effective and More Effective C++.

But I am not sure what should be my progression path. I am looking for something like this -- Python-Progression Path:

def apprentice():
  read(diveintopython)
  experiment(interpreter)
  read(python_tutorial)
  experiment(interpreter, modules/files)
  watch(pycon)

def master():
  refer(python-essential-reference)
  refer(PEPs/language reference)
  experiment()
  read(good_python_code) # Eg. twisted, other libraries
  write(basic_library)   # reinvent wheel and compare to existing wheels
  if have_interesting_ideas:
     give_talk(pycon)

def guru():
  pass # Not qualified to comment. Fix the GIL perhaps?
Discover list comprehensions

Discover generators

Incorporate map, reduce, filter, iter, range, xrange often into your code

Discover Decorators

Write recursive functions, a lot

Discover itertools and functools

Read Real World Haskell

Rewrite all your old Python code with tons of higher order functions, recursion, and whatnot.

Annoy your cubicle mates every time they present you with a Python class. Claim it could be "better" implemented as a dictionary plus some functions. Embrace functional programming.

Rediscover the Strategy pattern and then all those things from imperative code you tried so hard to forget after Haskell.

Find a balance.

Although you have C++ in the question title and a c++ tag, there doesn't appear to be anything to do with C++ in the question. Come to think of it, what is the question? — CB Bailey, Dec 08 '10 at 16:59
The implied question is "What is the equivalent of this list for students of C++?" — Karl Knechtel, Dec 08 '10 at 17:00
Oh god, why did you post a screenshot of some blurry text, when you could have just shown us the raw text? — jalf, Dec 08 '10 at 18:48

score 4 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 08 '10 at 18:31

It's a tough question, because what you really need is becoming good at what you do, and thus no authoritative list exists.

That being said...

Read Effective C++ by Meyers and C++ Coding Standards by Sutter, you're not likely to understand everything if you're a beginner, so re-read them from time to time (it's also a good vaccine)
Time to introduce the STL (it's an amazing little pearl), learn to use its algorithms instead of hand-crafting everything, if possible jump straight to the C++0x version
Incorporate Boost into the mix, softly at first: boost::optional, boost::variant, boost::lexical_cast, boost::numeric_cast make your code safer and more idiomatic. Also poke the Boost String Algorithms library.
Template Meta Programming and Boost.MPL are next: C++ Template Meta Programming by Abrahams Gurtovoy will help there. You might have to leverage Boost.Preprocessor for some template stuff.
Learn more Boost Libraries, it's a gigormous repository and it's amazing all the libraries there are.

I am still at that last part myself, so cannot comment on going further :)

At each step, you should write a lot of code, reading isn't sufficient, you need to experiment. Programming is not just technic, the architectural part of the program is extremely important in the field.

Oh and try and join (if only to read) an open-source project, nothing beats writing code and it's better when someone else reviews it :)

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 08 '10 at 17:06

0

First get really good with C. I recommend "Deep C Secrets" by Peter van der Linden.

Get a copy of "Effective C++" by Scott Meyers, and commit it's advice to memory ("More Effective C++" is also pretty good).

Read "Advanced C++" by Coplien.

Read the The C++ FAQ.

Read "The C++ Programming Language" by Stroustrup at this point.

answered Dec 08 '10 at 17:06

dicroce

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Getting good with C may actually teach you bad habits to be avoided in C++. – Mark B Dec 08 '10 at 17:08
@Mark B: Agreed. I would definitely not teach prospective C++ students C habits. – Puppy Dec 08 '10 at 17:19
It's good to have C habits to fall back on when you discover that some of the C++ stuff is horribly slow. – Johan Kotlinski Dec 08 '10 at 17:36
@kotlinski: yes and no, there are fast typesafe C++ libraries, use them :) – Matthieu M. Dec 08 '10 at 17:58
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I stand by my original statement. C will give you a good perspective on the hardware. Also, it is possible to write good C. I agree that C may instill some bad habits, but exposure to it I think will make you more pragmatic, and less ideological. – dicroce Dec 13 '10 at 15:41

C++ | Progresssion Path

2 Answers2