C++ with Borland C++Builder

An Introduction to the ANSI/ISO Standard and Object Oriented Windows Programming

to appear Autumn 2006, Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg; ISBN: 3540010270

1150 pages. With CD-ROM. Paperback, $59.95

Meinungen von Lesern
Cover text
Preface
Geleitwort von Jason Vokes, European Product Line Manager - RAD Products and InterBase, Borland GmbH
Table of Contents (pdf-file)
Aufgaben und Lösungen (All Exercises and solutions as a pdf-file, 2,3 MB)
Errata
Links

Cover text

C++ with Borland C++Builder

provides comprehensive and systematic coverage of all language features in the 1998 ANSI/ISO C++ standard. The main focus is on language concepts and their context, rather than on details which are available in the online help.
based on numerous lectures and courses for companies, the order of presentation, the examples and the numerous exercises (with solutions on the CD) are thoroughly tested and proven. This book assumes no previous knowledge and is suitable for both private study and as a textbook for university courses.
uses Borland C++Builder 2006 as development system. This visual programming environment is the C++ equivalent of the Delphi Object Pascal development system and facilitates easy development of Windows programs. Most examples and exercises are Windows programs. However, as the focus is on the ANSI/ISO C++ standard, the book is also suitable for readers working with other compilers.
uses object-oriented concepts right from the start and demonstrates the advantages of the C++ standard library classes compared to the corresponding conventional language elements (e.g. string classes versus null-terminated strings, container classes versus arrays, stream classes versus stdio functions).
presents the principles of object-oriented analysis and design along with object-oriented programming. The advantages and disadvantages of various design alternatives for class hierarchies are discussed in detail.
presents the C++Builder class library (VCL) as an example of a class hierarchy.
provides a detailed description of templates and their use, in particular the STL classes and algorithms.
discusses exception handling, considering the effects on program design, not just the language elements involved.
combines the presentation of many language elements with an introduction to programming logic and program verification.
includes numerous new C++ features that are also useful to experienced C++ programmers.
concludes with a chapter that outlines 3D programming with OpenGL, database programming and the use of the Windows API file processing functions.

Preface to the first Edition (in German)

Originally, this book arose from the desire to develop graphical user interface programs in my C++ lectures, and not just console applications. In 1997, the Borland C++Builder provided the first development system that was simple enough to be used in lectures for beginners without having to worry that students would spend more time wrestling with the development system than actually programming.

As the ANSI/ISO standard was to be released shortly, it seemed appropriate to include a comprehensive presentation of all language features of the standard in this introductory textbook. I did not realize at the time what I had let myself in for! Neither did I intend to spend four years writing this book, nor did I expect to produce a 1100 page tome.
I was then given the opportunity to hold seminars for experienced professionals, where I was confronted with numerous suggestions from their daily work. These provided extremely valuable impulses.

The C++ programming language was designed as a superset of the C programming language. Whereas C++ certainly owes its wide distribution to this decision, it has also meant that programming is often still basically done in C, merely replacing the C compiler with a C++ compiler. This is a waste of so many C++ advantages. The following are just a few examples:

Pointers, which are commonly error-prone, are not required in C++ as often as in C.
The C++ string classes are much easier to use and involve far less risk than C-style null-terminated strings.
The container classes in the C++ standard library have many advantages compared to arrays, self-defined linked lists or trees.
Exception handling provides a simple way of dealing with errors.
Object-oriented programming allows simple, comprehensible programs.
Templates are the basis for an extremely versatile standard library.

When presenting language concepts, I have tried to not only describe the language elements and their syntax, but to provide criteria for when and how to use them. For example, the section on object oriented programming thus includes an introduction to object-oriented analysis and design. If design rules are disregarded, the resulting classes may often but be of no great use even though compilation is successful.

It is a widespread belief that C++ is far too difficult to be used as an introductory programming language. Founded on many years of experience, this book should provide proof to the contrary. I do not, however, deny the complexity of C++ in the least.

Numerous exercises provide ample opportunity for the reader to deepen his understanding of the contents through practical application. As programming can only be learned by doing, I would like to encourage all readers to solve at least some of the exercises and then proceed to exercises of their own. The difficulty of the exercises ranges from simple repetition of the text to small projects requiring a degree of creativity. The solutions to most of the exercises are available on the enclosed CD and on my web page http://bcbbook.rkaiser.de.http://www.rkaiser.de

I would like to thank all course participants and especially Mr. Welsner from the Alcatel University of the Alcatel SEL AG Stuttgart for the opportunity to add valuable material to the manuscript from numerous seminars with experienced professionals. This book would never have achieved its degree of practical relevance or the range and detail of topics without the generous input from these seminars. Peter Schwalm, having read large sections of the manuscript, contributed in numerous discussions on difficult issues. My son Alexander was a perfect system administrator, taking care that the computers were always running and optimally installed.

I am especially grateful for the excellent support from Dr. Hans Wössner and his team at Springer-Verlag. His helpfulness and outstanding technical competence never ceased to impress me. This book owes its unified presentation, which I would never have achieved on my own, to "my" editor Ruth Abraham. Gabi Fischer handled the technical production with her experience and skill. Thanks also to Mr. Engesser for his effective cooperation in the completion of the project.

Tuebingen in October 2001
Richard Kaiser

Geleitwort to the first Edition (in German)

Das Programmieren unter C++ gilt als die Königsklasse der objektorientierten Applikations-Entwicklung: Anwender nutzen C++, um universell einsetzbare, modulare Programme zu erstellen. Wer diese Sprache beherrscht, profitiert von einem beispiellosen Funktionsumfang und von der Option, plattformunabhängig zu arbeiten. Das war anfangs nur hochgradig versierten Profis vorbehalten. Sie allein waren in der Lage, der Komplexität des C++-Quellcodes Herr zu werden.

Längst aber stehen die Vorzüge von C++ auch all jenen zur Verfügung, die nur gelegentlich oder schlicht und ergreifend aus Freude am Tüfteln Applikationen erstellen. Einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur „Demokratisierung" der objektorientierten Programmierung leisten integrierte RAD-Systeme (Rapid Application Development) wie der C++Builder von Borland.

Ganz gleich ob Profi oder Einsteiger: Die C++-Version der erfolgreichen Object Pascal-Lösung Borland Delphi bietet Programmierern eine visuelle Entwicklungsumgebung, mit der sie einfach und rasch objektorientierte Windows-Applikationen schreiben können. Der C++Builder verfügt über eine umfangreiche Palette an fertigen Komponenten und erleichtert seit der Version 5 auch die Ent-wicklung von Web-Applikationen. Wer grafische Benutzeroberflächen bauen will, stellt diese einfach mit wenigen Handgriffen per Maus zusammen. Das ist die Basis für ein schnelles, effizientes und komfortables Arbeiten. Kurzum: Mit dem C++Builder wird die Applikations-Entwicklung von der langwierigen Fleißaufgabe zur zielorientierten Kopfarbeit.

Das vorliegende Buch ist eine systematische Einführung in die Arbeit mit C++ und dem Borland C++Builder. Ausführlich und praxisnah schildert Richard Kaiser die Konzepte und Elemente der Programmiersprache und der Entwicklungsumgebung. Mit zahlreichen Beispielen und Übungsaufgaben erschließt er auch Lesern ohne Vorkenntnisse die Logik objektorientierten Programmierens.

Borland wünscht allen Nutzern dieses hervorragenden Lehrbuchs und Nachschlagewerks viel Spaß und Erfolg bei der Arbeit mit dem C++Builder.

Jason Vokes
European Product Line Manager - RAD Products and InterBase

Links

Soon.