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AP Reading guide - Lecture 1

This is a reading guide to Part I of The C++ Prog. Lang. (4. edition).

First, let us observe that Part I of the fourth version of the book has been much extended compared to Part I in the third version. You can use Part I as a teaser or introduction to many of the topics in the course. Part I holds many references to the book chapters in Part II - Part IV. It may be useful to read part I for introductory coverage, and to follow the references to subsequent more detailed coverage in the latter parts of the book.

It is not necessary to read all the stuff in section 1 (notes to the reader) - but you may find it interesting to consult selected sections. Consider section 1.2 (which is long, however). If you consider youself a C programmer, also consider 1.3.3. If you a curious about C++11 (I was, because have read the previous version of the book) consider 1.4.4.1 (and, in more details, section 44.2). Notice that the bibliography covering the entire book is located at the end of chapter 1 (!!!).

I recommend that you emphasize chapter 2 of the C++ Tour (appr. 20 pages). Many aspects should already be familiar if you remember C.

In chapter 3 I liked 3.2.2 (Abstract Types) and 3.3.2 (Moving Containers) a lot. You may postpose 3.4 (Templates) until we reach the last lecture.

In chapter 4, please read section 4.1 for an overview of containers and so-called algorithms. Take a look at section 4.4, not least vector. Also read the first 4 pages of 4.5 in order to familiarize yourself with iterators.

Take a look at the contents of Chapter 5, but postpone the details a bit. Parts of this chapter is heavy on template stuff, and it is actually quite hard to read. When and if needed, you may return to some of the details later in the course.

While we go along in the course, you may find it useful to return to some aspects of Part I, and to use it as a springboard into the rest of the book.

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/KN