API Design for C++

The design of application programming interfaces can affect the behavior, capabilities, stability, and ease of use of end-user applications. With this book, you will learn how to design a good API for large-scale long-term projects. With extensive C++ code to illustrate each concept, API Design for C++ covers all of the strategies of world-class API development. Martin Reddy draws on over fifteen years of experience in the software industry to offer in-depth discussions of interface design, documentation, testing, and the advanced topics of scripting and plug-in extensibility. Throughout, he focuses on various API styles and patterns that will allow you to produce elegant and durable libraries.

• The only book that teaches the strategies of C++ API development, including design, versioning, documentation, testing, scripting, and extensibility.
• Extensive code examples illustrate each concept, with fully functional examples and working source code for experimentation available online.
• Covers various API styles and patterns with a focus on practical and efficient designs for large-scale long-term projects.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Qualities
Chapter 3: Patterns
Chapter 4: Design
Chapter 5: Styles
Chapter 6: Usage
Chapter 7: Performance
Chapter 8: Versioning
Chapter 9: Documentation
Chapter 10: Testing
Chapter 11: Scripting
Chapter 12: Extensibility