📖 Overview
Bjarne Stroustrup is a Danish computer scientist and professor who created the C++ programming language in 1979 while working at Bell Labs. His development of C++ has influenced modern software development and object-oriented programming fundamentally.
As the author of "The C++ Programming Language" and several other influential programming books, Stroustrup has helped shape how programming is taught and practiced. He currently serves as a Distinguished Professor at Columbia University and continues to contribute to the evolution of C++ through his work on the C++ standards committee.
Beyond his primary work with C++, Stroustrup has received numerous awards including the IEEE Computer Society's Computer Entrepreneur Award and the William Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement. His contributions extend to industrial applications of programming, particularly in areas requiring high performance and reliability.
Stroustrup's design philosophy emphasizes practical problem-solving and efficiency, which is reflected in both his technical writing and C++'s core principles. He maintains an active role in the programming community while advocating for better programming education and practices.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently rate Stroustrup's "The C++ Programming Language" as thorough but dense. Technical professionals appreciate his precise explanations and deep insights into language design. One Amazon reviewer noted: "The level of detail and historical context helped me understand not just how to use C++, but why it works the way it does."
Liked:
- Complete coverage of language features
- Direct explanations of design decisions
- Code examples that demonstrate real usage
- Historical background on language evolution
Disliked:
- Text can be dry and academic
- Not suitable for programming beginners
- Some readers find the writing style overly complex
- Older editions become outdated with new C++ standards
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,200+ reviews)
Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,800+ ratings)
O'Reilly: 4.3/5 (900+ reviews)
Many readers recommend starting with Stroustrup's "Tour of C++" for a more accessible introduction before tackling his comprehensive works.
📚 Books by Bjarne Stroustrup
The C++ Programming Language (1985, with multiple editions)
A comprehensive technical reference and tutorial that covers the complete C++ programming language, including its features, standard library, and programming techniques.
Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ (2008) A textbook designed for beginners in programming that teaches fundamental concepts and practices through the C++ language.
A Tour of C++ (2013, with multiple editions) A concise overview of C++ that presents the key language features and programming techniques for experienced programmers.
Design and Evolution of C++ (1994) A detailed historical account of C++'s development that explains the technical and philosophical decisions behind the language's design.
The Annotated C++ Reference Manual (1990) A thorough examination of C++ syntax and semantics with detailed explanations of language features and implementation considerations.
Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ (2008) A textbook designed for beginners in programming that teaches fundamental concepts and practices through the C++ language.
A Tour of C++ (2013, with multiple editions) A concise overview of C++ that presents the key language features and programming techniques for experienced programmers.
Design and Evolution of C++ (1994) A detailed historical account of C++'s development that explains the technical and philosophical decisions behind the language's design.
The Annotated C++ Reference Manual (1990) A thorough examination of C++ syntax and semantics with detailed explanations of language features and implementation considerations.
👥 Similar authors
Dennis Ritchie
Created the C programming language that C++ built upon and wrote "The C Programming Language" which set standards for technical documentation. His focus on systems programming and practical language design mirrors Stroustrup's approach to C++.
Scott Meyers Wrote definitive works on effective C++ programming including "Effective C++" and "More Effective C++". His technical writing style focuses on concrete guidelines and implementation details similar to Stroustrup's documentation approach.
Andrew Tanenbaum Created MINIX and wrote "Operating Systems: Design and Implementation" which explains systems programming from first principles. His work combines theoretical foundations with practical implementation, matching Stroustrup's emphasis on both understanding and application.
Donald Knuth Wrote "The Art of Computer Programming" series and developed TeX typesetting system. His detailed examination of algorithms and programming fundamentals provides the theoretical foundation that complements Stroustrup's work in language design.
James Gosling Developed Java and wrote several books on programming language design and implementation. His work on creating a practical, widely-applicable programming language parallels Stroustrup's goals with C++.
Scott Meyers Wrote definitive works on effective C++ programming including "Effective C++" and "More Effective C++". His technical writing style focuses on concrete guidelines and implementation details similar to Stroustrup's documentation approach.
Andrew Tanenbaum Created MINIX and wrote "Operating Systems: Design and Implementation" which explains systems programming from first principles. His work combines theoretical foundations with practical implementation, matching Stroustrup's emphasis on both understanding and application.
Donald Knuth Wrote "The Art of Computer Programming" series and developed TeX typesetting system. His detailed examination of algorithms and programming fundamentals provides the theoretical foundation that complements Stroustrup's work in language design.
James Gosling Developed Java and wrote several books on programming language design and implementation. His work on creating a practical, widely-applicable programming language parallels Stroustrup's goals with C++.