4 Reference Books Every C++ Developer Should Have

Over the years development languages change from project-to-project. A challenge for learning a language involves selection of what references are worthwhile. Far too often I've made poor selections in textbooks and selecting C++ references some years back was no exception.

I'd like to list the top 4 books that I've selected for my arsenal that I feel are essential to doing proper C++ (in no particular order):

The C++ Programming Language - Stroustrup

To understand C++, or any other language, you've gotta understand the language syntax and semantics. The rules...what's allowed and what is not. Who better to inform you of such things than the father of the programming language; nuff said.

C++ FAQs 2nd Edition - Marshall Cline

After you know the language syntax and semantics, the next thing you should be educated in is what should you do and what shouldn't you do. Marshall Cline identifies many of the pitfalls of common practices in an educational and surprisingly entertaining manner. I've attended a series of training sessions with the man himself and I highly recommend both the book and the courses if you can get someone else to pay for it :)

Effective C++ 3rd Edition - Scott Meyer

I'd consider this book to be the Bible with respect to best C++ programming practices. I cannot say enough good things about this book, but be forwarned...it expects you to understand the language to a fair degree. Don't buy this as your introduction to C++, buy this as a moderately experienced developer.

Effective STL - Scott Meyer

What is C++ without the STL.....the equivalent of a three-legged dog; never living up to the potential of a 4-legged dog. Come on, most interesting problem domains are complex enough to benefit from utilizing the STL including a great deal of embedded software products.

Scott Meyer for the win, leading 2 books to 1 in the competition; actually, the 'Effective ...' books are closer to the style of cliff notes, paling in comparison of sheer paper girth.  

Likely no surprise to anyone, the creator of the language (Stroustrup) lays the foundation of the language, how to do nearly anything.  Marshall Cline lays our best practices, things that you can do with the language but probably shouldn't.  Scott Meyer's books take the same tact, only in a highly compressed format.

These are the books that I'd recommend to anyone developing in C++. I have a set of Sutter and Koenig books available to me and I've heard great things and have referenced them on occasion but not yet to give them sufficient time to reading them.

Enjoy your journey into an amazing language.