capiCrimm

I've been programming C++ on and off for about a year now. I know bits and pieces of the STL, but really I never learned it and I want to. Obviously I don't expect to learn every single bit and piece, but I'd really like to get more comfortable with it.

For people who feel they know it better, what do you think is the best way to learn it? Doing a small project is obviously the best way, but I'm not sure what type of project would expose me to it in the best and broadest way. If there is a book that would be great as well. I have the O'reilly C++ in a nutshell that I've only skimmed. It looks like it covers the STL, but more like a reference manual(not the best for learning). I also have Stroustrup's book, which I've been meaning to read, but I'm not sure if that deals with the STL.

So, how did most of you learn the STL?

nnxion

LOL, you're joking right? :eek:
If you aren't then you might wish to find out who he is.

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free-zombie

which edition of Stroustrup ?
I have the third edition open in front of me, in the STL chapter. the first one definately doesn't and I don't think the second one does.

oh, and don't try learning c++ from the third edition; I tried and failed miserably - it's just too much. (great for learning parts... or as reference though)

Narue

>what do you think is the best way to learn it?
Write code using it. This could be something as small as test programs meant to exercise whatever part of the library you're using, or real projects that you or someone else intends to use.

>If there is a book that would be great as well.
http://www.josuttis.com/libbook/index.html

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capiCrimm

Third ed, and I know who he is. :p

What I ment by if he delt with the STL, is how well he deals with it. Just because he wrote the language doesn't mean he's a great teacher. A reference book doesn't do me much good when I'm trying to learn to see the STL as an alternative to other methods.

I just heard about Accelerated C++, so I think I'll give that a try.

jayme

I would have to say knowing every little thing about a specific language would make you a pretty good teacher(of that language).

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capiCrimm

I think teaching is a skill beyond knowing something. I've met plenty of people who have an awsome grasp of a subject, but are horrible at explaining things at a low level. Not everyone is a great teacher, just like not everyone is a great writer.

Narue

>I would have to say knowing every little thing about a specific language would
>make you a pretty good teacher(of that language).
No, it would probably make you a pretty crappy teacher unless you also know how to teach people something. Possession of knowledge doesn't necessarily constitute an ability to pass that knowledge to others.

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nnxion

Hmm okay, I guess it depends on how much you already know or perhaps it just depends on the person learning. For me a reference book is often as good a teacher as alternative methods, and much quicker at that.

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"Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for."
-- Socrates

Ooble

She's right. One of my physics teachers is a genius, but she's a shit teacher.

I'd also recommend Accelerated C++ if you find your current book hard to learn from. I've heard Stroustrup's book is good though. He was the editor for Accelerated C++, just so you know.

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