C++ Primer

What Hacker News says

1. rramadassMar 2026
   For a beginner;

   1) C++ Primer 5th edition (updated to C++11) by Stanley Lippman, Josee Lajoie, Barbara Moo. Don't bother with any other book until you have made a full pass over this. You can later update yourself to C++20/C++23/etc. from the books by Stroustrup/Others.

   2) Inside the C++ Object Model by Stanley Lippman. An old classic to understand the "C++ Abstract Machine" built on top of the "C Abstract Machine".

   PS: The Definitive C++ Book Guide and List - https://stackoverflow.com/questions/388242/the-definitive-c-...

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2. neilvAug 2023
   Stanley Lippman's "C++ Primer" 2e was the first book recommended by an expert, when I started learning C++.

   (At the time, this wasn't just another of today's programming language books, of learning a slightly different syntax for essentially the same language or framework. Imagine most work in your industry being done in C, and procedural. But suddenly you can work in this new-to-most paradigm, called OOP, which can multiply the scale of problems you can tackle successfully. But the emerging language for that in your industry is much more complicated, and you need the help of a good teacher.)

   Lippman helped teach something important to countless students he never met. Among Lippman's other merits and accomplishments, his family might like to know that he was a teacher to many.

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3. gjvcAug 2023
   Stanley Lippman's "C++ Primer" 2e was the first book recommended by an expert, when I started learning C++.

   I remember discovering this book in the library at university and realising that it was something special, and written by one of the greats. Rest in peace, Mr Lippman.

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4. sitkackAug 2023
   C++ Primer is a great book. Thanks Stan!
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5. andyjohnson0Aug 2023
   I bought C++ Primer in 1990 because I needed to learn the language for my masters thesis work. I remember it being unusualy well written, clear, and above all concise. I read it several times back to back over a few days.

   Knowing C++ back then (perhaps more than having that MSc) got me my first two jobs.

   So thank you Mr Lippman, and rest easy.

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6. npalliAug 2023
   Wow, didn't know that. RIP. I was eagerly waiting for the 6th edition of C++ Primer (with Josée Lajoie and Barbara Moo) but looks like that might be delayed indefinitely. The 5th edition is what really got C++11 to click for me, very clear exposition.
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