Boost C++ Application Development Cookbook

Over 80 practical, task-based recipes to create applications using Boost libraries

Overview

• Explores how to write a program once and then use it on Linux, Windows, MacOS, and Android operating systems
• Includes everyday use recipes for multithreading, networking, metaprogramming, and generic programming from a Boost library developer
• Take advantage of the real power of Boost and C++, to get a good grounding in using it in any project

In Detail

Boost libraries are developed by professionals, tested on multiple platforms and processor architectures, and contain reliable solutions for a wide range of tasks. This Cookbook takes you on a journey of simplifying the process of application development and guides you through writing perfect applications fast.

“Boost C++ Application Development Cookbook” provides you with a number of clear step-by-step recipes that will help you take advantage of the real power of Boost and C++, while giving you a good grounding in using it in any project.

“Boost C++ Application Development Cookbook” looks at the Boost libraries, and breaks down the mystery and confusion about which library to use in which situation. It will take you through a number of clear, practical recipes that will help you to take advantage of the readily available solutions.

Boost C++ Application Development Cookbook starts with teaching the basics of Boost libraries that are now mostly part of C++11 and leave no chance for memory leaks. Managing resources will become a piece of cake. We’ll see what kind of work can be done at compile time and what Boost containers can do. Do you think multithreading is a burden? Not with Boost. Think writing portable and fast servers is impossible? You’ll be surprised! Compilers and operating systems differ too much? Not with Boost. From manipulating images to graphs, directories, timers, files, strings – everyone will find an interesting topic.

You will learn everything for the development of high quality fast and portable applications. Write a program once and then you can use it on Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android operating systems.

What you will learn from this book

• Get familiar with new data types for everyday use
• Use pointers to manage resources
• Get to grips with compile-time computations and assertions
• Use Boost libraries for multithreading
• Learn about Parallel execution of different task
• Perform common string-related tasks using Boost libraries
• Split all the processes, computations, and interactions to tasks and process them independently
• Learn the basics of working with graphs
• Explore different helper macros used to detect compiler, platform and Boost features
• Use selected C++11 features in C++03

Approach

This book follows a cookbook approach, with detailed and practical recipes that use Boost libraries.

Who this book is written for

This book is great for developers new to Boost, and who are looking to improve their knowledge of Boost and see some undocumented details or tricks. It’s assumed that you will have some experience in C++ already, as well being familiar with the basics of STL. A few chapters will require some previous knowledge of multithreading and networking. You are expected to have at least one good C++ compiler and compiled version of Boost (1.53.0 or later is recommended), which will be used during the exercises within this book.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Starting to Write Your Application
Chapter 2: Converting Data
Chapter 3: Managing Resources
Chapter 4: Compile-time Tricks
Chapter 5: Multithreading
Chapter 6: Manipulating Tasks
Chapter 7: Manipulating Strings
Chapter 8: Metaprogramming
Chapter 9: Containers
Chapter 10: Gathering Platform and Compiler Information
Chapter 11: Working with the System
Chapter 12: Scratching the Tip of the Iceberg