Examples, Tips and Links

Discrete Event Simulation

Discrete event simulation is a well-defined technique.

C++ Language Features

Reference Texts

Other reference texts suggested:

• Herb Schildt, "C++: The Complete Reference" is complete and has a lot of examples. It covers the main features of the language pretty throughly but at 1000 pages and $40 it's a little steep.
• Herb Schildt, "C/C++ Programmer's Reference (2d ed)" is smaller, lighter, and cheaper at $20. It's available in the bookstore. It's a little thin on examples, you sometimes need to know what you're looking for before you look for it, but that can be OK particularly when used in conjunction with a web resource.
• Herb Schildt, "STL Programming from the Ground Up" is good on the STL.
• Deitel & Deitel, "C++: How To Program". This one has lots of explanation and many examples but it's harder to find stuff in if you're in a hurry.

• Stroustrup, "The C++ Programming Language" (3rd edition 1997). This book is written by the designer of C++, and is invaluable for explaining the entire language (as of 1997!). The book assumes a sophisticated reader.
• You will also find much helpful information in the Main/Savitch textbook in the appendices, pp. 745-775.

On-line Documentation of features

• SGI's STL web pages

  This is the motherlode of algorithm and stl information.

• Standard C/C++ Functions

  Coverage of functions, some examples.

Compilers and Unix

Online References

• G++ Compiler Errors FAQ

These notes are assembled from answers to student questions raised during the last five years of teaching the course.
Some of the examples refer to homework assignments which are no longer in use, but the points they make are still relevant.

• Useful Unix Commands

• The GDB debugger

• DDD: GDB's GUI cousin

• 'make'

• Emacs reference (courtesy IM&T)

Working from Home

In order to run UNIX applications (eg. emacs), you can download the Xwin32 software for free at http://www.sofsol.co.nz/p0001237.htm. It is an Xwindows emulator that will allow you to log into miller from home, and work just like you were on campus. If you need help with X-win, please visit http://www.starnet.com/support/.

If your home machine is Windows and you wish a Unix-like environment, you might look into Cygwin. Go to http://www.cygwin.com. I have not personally tried this tool but the administrators have told us that the download is easy and it also is free.

I recommend you use g++ version 3.X if you work at home, but you may also wish to use Visual C++ or some other IDE at home. Note that the differences between the g++ and VC++ compilers can be a problem. Be aware that any assignment you submit has to run on the g++ compiler at grading time! VisualC++ is available to UWM students for $25, for details go to http://wiscweb5.wisc.edu/wisc//.

Last Update: June 20, 2005