C Gotchas or Web Standards Solutions

C++ Gotchas: Avoiding Common Problems in Coding and Design

Author: Stephen Dewhurst

"This may well be the best C++ book I have ever read. I was surprised by the amount I learned."

--Matthew Wilson, Development Consultant, Synesis Software

C++ Gotchas is the professional programmer's guide to avoiding and correcting ninety-nine of the most common, destructive, and interesting C++ design and programming errors. It also serves as an inside look at the more subtle C++ features and programming techniques.

This book discusses basic errors present in almost all C++ code, as well as complex mistakes in syntax, preprocessing, conversions, initialization, memory and resource management, polymorphism, class design, and hierarchy design. Each error and its repercussions are explained in context, and the resolution of each problem is detailed and demonstrated.

Author Stephen Dewhurst supplies readers with idioms and design patterns that can be used to generate customized solutions for common problems. Readers will also learn more about commonly misunderstood features of C++ used in advanced programming and design. A companion Web site, located at . All such code is indicated in the text by an abbreviated pathname near the code example, as in >>gotcha00/somecode.cp

Finally, a warning: the one thing you should not do with gotchas is elevate them to the same status as idioms or patterns. One of the signs that you're using patterns and idioms properly is that the pattern or idiom appropriate to the design or coding context will arise "spontaneously" from your subconscious just when you need it.

Recognition of a gotcha is analogous to a conditioned response to danger: onceburned, twice shy. However, as with matches and firearms, it's not necessary to suffer a burn or a gunshot wound to the head personally to learn how to recognize and avoid a dangerous situation; generally, all that's necessary is advance warning. Consider this collection a means to keep your head in the face of C++ gotchas.

Stephen C. Dewhurst
Carver, Massachusetts
July 2002


0321125185P11072002

Interesting textbook: Super Soups or Hobby Farming

Web Standards Solutions: The Markup and Style Handbook

Author: Dan Cederholm

Web Standards, created and enforced by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), make sure that web designers and browser manufacturers use the same technology syntax, no matter what language they script in. Web Standards ensure the net stays neat, preventing the chaos that would emerge with inconsistent code. These standards also increase content compatibility among varying viewing devices, from screen readers for people with vision impairments, to cell phones, PDAs and more. Web standards are applied to code in HTML, XML and CSS.

Cederholm's book explains how to create markup and style, exploring multiple techniques for handling situations when building with Web Standards. In this easy-to-read book, each chapter provides "extra credit" sections, giving you bonus tips and tricks, and empowering you to make better decisions based with well-rounded information.

Slashdot.org

I really think it does a fantastic job at keeping the reader interested in the subject (something that is often very hard to do in technical books) and will definitely be a great business tool for you. A quick read it is, but a valuable reference that has earned a spot next to my keyboard, my 3 bars of caffeinated soap, and the trusty case of bawls.

Table of Contents:

Ch. 1	Lists	1
Ch. 2	Headings	15
Ch. 3	Tables are evil?	29
Ch. 4	Quotations	51
Ch. 5	Forms	63
Ch. 6	, , and other phrase elements	81
Ch. 7	Anchors	95
Ch. 8	More lists	109
Ch. 9	Minimizing markup	123
Ch. 10	Applying CSS	137
Ch. 11	Print styles	153
Ch. 12	CSS layouts	165
Ch. 13	Styling text	191
Ch. 14	Image replacement	203
Ch. 15	Styling	223
Ch. 16	Next steps	233