C++ Template Metaprogramming

For the past year Aleksey Gurtovoy and I have been working on a new book, titled _C++ Template Metaprogramming: Concepts, Tools and Techniques from Boost and Beyond_. The book has recently entered copyediting. If you're interested you can peruse some sample chapters at http://boost-consulting.com/mplbook. Regards, Dave -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting http://www.boost-consulting.com

"David Abrahams" <dave@boost-consulting.com> wrote in message news:ullhof833.fsf@boost-consulting.com...
For the past year Aleksey Gurtovoy and I have been working on a new book, titled _C++ Template Metaprogramming: Concepts, Tools and Techniques from Boost and Beyond_. The book has recently entered copyediting. If you're interested you can peruse some sample
chapters
Looks great! Congratulations. I think this is the book every C++ programmer will have to buy next year. Jonathan

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 07:41:04 -0400, David Abrahams <dave@boost-consulting.com> wrote:
For the past year Aleksey Gurtovoy and I have been working on a new book, titled _C++ Template Metaprogramming: Concepts, Tools and Techniques from Boost and Beyond_.
Thank you David and Aleksey for putting time and effort into finishing this book. I'm sure most of us agree that it's an extremely valuable contribution to Boost and the C++ community at large, and that it is sorely needed to give the industry some momentum. I for one know I would have problems convincing certain employers to use many modern C++ techniques if I couldn't put forth some literature on the subject. As a customer seeing this book in the bookstore, however, I think I would have one question: Am I part of the target audience? Specifically, since it appears to be a book about MPL, does it have something for people who already use MPL, or is it mostly meant to introduce the library to people who aren't already using it. The "target audience" section doesn't answer that question; perhaps it should. /Mattias

Mattias Flodin <flodin@gmail.com> writes:
On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 07:41:04 -0400, David Abrahams <dave@boost-consulting.com> wrote:
For the past year Aleksey Gurtovoy and I have been working on a new book, titled _C++ Template Metaprogramming: Concepts, Tools and Techniques from Boost and Beyond_.
Thank you David and Aleksey for putting time and effort into finishing this book. I'm sure most of us agree that it's an extremely valuable contribution to Boost and the C++ community at large, and that it is sorely needed to give the industry some momentum. I for one know I would have problems convincing certain employers to use many modern C++ techniques if I couldn't put forth some literature on the subject.
As a customer seeing this book in the bookstore, however, I think I would have one question: Am I part of the target audience? Specifically, since it appears to be a book about MPL, does it have something for people who already use MPL
Several things, even!
or is it mostly meant to introduce the library to people who aren't already using it. The "target audience" section doesn't answer that question; perhaps it should.
Do you think it matters all that much if it says so on the website, considering that most people who are already familiar with MPL will probably see this message? -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting http://www.boost-consulting.com

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 20:50:02 -0400, David Abrahams <dave@boost-consulting.com> wrote:
As a customer seeing this book in the bookstore, however, I think I would have one question: Am I part of the target audience? Specifically, since it appears to be a book about MPL, does it have something for people who already use MPL
Several things, even!
or is it mostly meant to introduce the library to people who aren't already using it. The "target audience" section doesn't answer that question; perhaps it should.
Do you think it matters all that much if it says so on the website, considering that most people who are already familiar with MPL will probably see this message?
It mattered to me, but then again I have my answer now. ;-) As for others, I can only say what I already said: perhaps. In any case, I dont think the majority of MPL users also read the boost developer list.

Mattias Flodin <flodin@gmail.com> writes:
On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 20:50:02 -0400, David Abrahams <dave@boost-consulting.com> wrote:
As a customer seeing this book in the bookstore, however, I think I would have one question: Am I part of the target audience? Specifically, since it appears to be a book about MPL, does it have something for people who already use MPL
Several things, even!
or is it mostly meant to introduce the library to people who aren't already using it. The "target audience" section doesn't answer that question; perhaps it should.
Do you think it matters all that much if it says so on the website, considering that most people who are already familiar with MPL will probably see this message?
It mattered to me, but then again I have my answer now. ;-) As for others, I can only say what I already said: perhaps. In any case, I dont think the majority of MPL users also read the boost developer list.
Actually I should be clear: it's not so much a book about MPL as about template metaprogramming in general. I'd have thought the title of the book and the text of the page would make that clear. We do use MPL as a vehicle, so it gets fairly in-depth coverage. If the page is giving a different impression, we'd like suggestions about how to change that. -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting http://www.boost-consulting.com

From: David Abrahams <dave@boost-consulting.com>
Mattias Flodin <flodin@gmail.com> writes:
On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 20:50:02 -0400, David Abrahams <dave@boost-consulting.com> wrote:
As a customer seeing this book in the bookstore, however, I think I would have one question: Am I part of the target audience? Specifically, since it appears to be a book about MPL, does it have something for people who already use MPL
I didn't read the description as indicating it was a book about MPL but rather as being about MP that covers MPL. After all, MPL was hardly mentioned.
Several things, even!
or is it mostly meant to introduce the library to people who aren't already using it. The "target audience" section doesn't answer that question; perhaps it should.
Do you think it matters all that much if it says so on the website, considering that most people who are already familiar with MPL will probably see this message?
It wasn't obvious to me that the content in http://boost-consulting.com/mplbook/#the-work was not actually in the book. That is, I took that content as being the preface, at least in some form. I didn't make a distinction between the web site and the book.
It mattered to me, but then again I have my answer now. ;-) As for others, I can only say what I already said: perhaps. In any case, I dont think the majority of MPL users also read the boost developer list.
Actually I should be clear: it's not so much a book about MPL as about template metaprogramming in general. I'd have thought the title of the book and the text of the page would make that clear. We do use
They do.
MPL as a vehicle, so it gets fairly in-depth coverage. If the page is giving a different impression, we'd like suggestions about how to change that.
What isn't answered is the original question: for those already familiar with MPL, how much value will the book provide? My guess is that it provides the philosophical and conceptual underpinnings that can remain fuzzy even with MPL familiarity and, consequently, it provides a lot of value to those users. I look forward to getting my hands on a copy. -- Rob Stewart stewart@sig.com Software Engineer http://www.sig.com Susquehanna International Group, LLP using std::disclaimer;

"Rob Stewart" <stewart@sig.com> wrote in message news:200407141849.i6EInKF29719@tesh.systems.susq.com...
It wasn't obvious to me that the content in http://boost-consulting.com/mplbook/#the-work was not actually in the book. That is, I took that content as being the preface, at least in some form. I didn't make a distinction between the web site and the book.
FWIW, the web page seems perfectly clear to me. Jonathan

Rob Stewart <stewart@sig.com> writes:
From: David Abrahams <dave@boost-consulting.com>
Mattias Flodin <flodin@gmail.com> writes:
On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 20:50:02 -0400, David Abrahams <dave@boost-consulting.com> wrote:
As a customer seeing this book in the bookstore, however, I think I would have one question: Am I part of the target audience? Specifically, since it appears to be a book about MPL, does it have something for people who already use MPL
I didn't read the description as indicating it was a book about MPL but rather as being about MP that covers MPL. After all, MPL was hardly mentioned.
That's correct. Maybe it should be mentioned more. We do cover a fair amount of MPL stuff, but the intention is not to be a glorified MPL reference manual.
Several things, even!
or is it mostly meant to introduce the library to people who aren't already using it. The "target audience" section doesn't answer that question; perhaps it should.
Do you think it matters all that much if it says so on the website, considering that most people who are already familiar with MPL will probably see this message?
It wasn't obvious to me that the content in http://boost-consulting.com/mplbook/#the-work was not actually in the book. That is, I took that content as being the preface, at least in some form. I didn't make a distinction between the web site and the book.
Hum. I don't know what should be done about that. Certainly the Book's actual preface is a lot more readable than the content of that page.
It mattered to me, but then again I have my answer now. ;-) As for others, I can only say what I already said: perhaps. In any case, I dont think the majority of MPL users also read the boost developer list.
Actually I should be clear: it's not so much a book about MPL as about template metaprogramming in general. I'd have thought the title of the book and the text of the page would make that clear. We do use
They do.
MPL as a vehicle, so it gets fairly in-depth coverage. If the page is giving a different impression, we'd like suggestions about how to change that.
What isn't answered is the original question: for those already familiar with MPL, how much value will the book provide?
I really thought I answered that by now.
My guess is that it provides the philosophical and conceptual underpinnings that can remain fuzzy even with MPL familiarity and, consequently, it provides a lot of value to those users.
It should. Though maybe you should be asking some of the existing MPL users that reviewed the book. Douglas Gregor, Joel de Guzman, Jeremy Siek, Jaap Suter, and Daniel Wallin read all or part of the material.
I look forward to getting my hands on a copy.
:-) Be sure to pre-order your copy as soon as possible then ;-)
-- Rob Stewart stewart@sig.com Software Engineer http://www.sig.com Susquehanna International Group, LLP using std::disclaimer; _______________________________________________ Unsubscribe & other changes: http://lists.boost.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/boost
"Jonathan Turkanis" <technews@kangaroologic.com> writes:
"Rob Stewart" <stewart@sig.com> wrote in message news:200407141849.i6EInKF29719@tesh.systems.susq.com...
It wasn't obvious to me that the content in http://boost-consulting.com/mplbook/#the-work was not actually in the book. That is, I took that content as being the preface, at least in some form. I didn't make a distinction between the web site and the book.
FWIW, the web page seems perfectly clear to me.
Thanks. -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting http://www.boost-consulting.com

John Dubchak wrote:
Do you have a link for pre-ordering? I've checked on both Amazon.com and Addison Wesley's site and couldn't find any information regarding the book.
My publisher said this:
The book should be available on Amazon three months before publication. So, in August, we should see the book listed. Once it's on Amazon, customers can pre-order. In August, we will also see the book listed on bn.com.
The book will be available on our Web site next month too. On the AW site, we can take pre-orders up to 60 days before publication (this has to do with how long we can legally hold someone's credit card number).
In the meantime, you may want to tell customers to sign-up for the monthly AW e-mail newsletter http://www.awprofessional.com/newsletters/index.asp
They will release notification when you're book is published.
-- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting http://www.boost-consulting.com

John Dubchak <jdubchak <at> demandsolutions.com> writes:
Do you have a link for pre-ordering? I've checked on both Amazon.com and Addison Wesley's site and couldn't find any information regarding the book.
Anyone who's been waiting to pre-order can do it now at Addison-Wesley's site: http://www.awprofessional.com/titles/0321227255 -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting http://www.boost-consulting.com

"Mattias Flodin" <flodin@gmail.com> wrote
On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 07:41:04 -0400, David Abrahams <dave@boost-consulting.com> wrote:
For the past year Aleksey Gurtovoy and I have been working on a new book, titled _C++ Template Metaprogramming: Concepts, Tools and Techniques from Boost and Beyond_.
Thank you David and Aleksey for putting time and effort into finishing this book. I'm sure most of us agree that it's an extremely valuable contribution to Boost and the C++ community at large, and that it is sorely needed to give the industry some momentum. I for one know I would have problems convincing certain employers to use many modern C++ techniques if I couldn't put forth some literature on the subject.
As a customer seeing this book in the bookstore, however, I think I would have one question: Am I part of the target audience? Specifically, since it appears to be a book about MPL, does it have something for people who already use MPL, or is it mostly meant to introduce the library to people who aren't already using it. The "target audience" section doesn't answer that question; perhaps it should.
One area that I am interested in is compile time performance. I see that there is information about this in the appendix. Are there any tips in the book about optimising code , aiming to get fastest compile times? regards Andy Little

"Andy Little" <andy@servocomm.freeserve.co.uk> writes:
One area that I am interested in is compile time performance. I see that there is information about this in the appendix. Are there any tips in the book about optimising code , aiming to get fastest compile times?
Yes :-) -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting http://www.boost-consulting.com

David Abrahams wrote:
For the past year Aleksey Gurtovoy and I have been working on a new book, titled _C++ Template Metaprogramming: Concepts, Tools and Techniques from Boost and Beyond_. The book has recently entered copyediting. If you're interested you can peruse some sample chapters at http://boost-consulting.com/mplbook.
Regards, Dave
Congratulations! Great work. I'll sure try to get my hands on a copy ASAP! BTW, I've now added a reference to it in the bibliography (see separate post). Regards // Fredrik Blomqvist

On 7/15/04 9:02 AM, "Fredrik Blomqvist" <fredrik_blomqvist@home.se> wrote:
David Abrahams wrote:
For the past year Aleksey Gurtovoy and I have been working on a new book, titled _C++ Template Metaprogramming: Concepts, Tools and Techniques from Boost and Beyond_. The book has recently entered copyediting. If you're interested you can peruse some sample chapters at http://boost-consulting.com/mplbook.
Congratulations! Great work. I'll sure try to get my hands on a copy ASAP!
BTW, I've now added a reference to it in the bibliography (see separate post).
Doesn't this book come out in a few months? I don't think that we should add references that are currently 100% unavailable. (If the web site and/or sample chapters are a good-enough resource by themselves, then those could be listed, but make sure their entry is distinct from the one the book has [will have].) -- Daryle Walker Mac, Internet, and Video Game Junkie darylew AT hotmail DOT com

Daryle Walker <darylew@hotmail.com> writes:
On 7/15/04 9:02 AM, "Fredrik Blomqvist" <fredrik_blomqvist@home.se> wrote:
David Abrahams wrote:
For the past year Aleksey Gurtovoy and I have been working on a new book, titled _C++ Template Metaprogramming: Concepts, Tools and Techniques from Boost and Beyond_. The book has recently entered copyediting. If you're interested you can peruse some sample chapters at http://boost-consulting.com/mplbook.
Congratulations! Great work. I'll sure try to get my hands on a copy ASAP!
BTW, I've now added a reference to it in the bibliography (see separate post).
Doesn't this book come out in a few months? I don't think that we should add references that are currently 100% unavailable. (If the web site and/or sample chapters are a good-enough resource by themselves, then those could be listed, but make sure their entry is distinct from the one the book has [will have].)
That seems unneccessarily pedantic. If the primary link is to the site, it will be clear from reading that what the status is. -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting http://www.boost-consulting.com
participants (9)
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Andy Little
-
Daryle Walker
-
Dave Abrahams
-
David Abrahams
-
Fredrik Blomqvist
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John Dubchak
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Jonathan Turkanis
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Mattias Flodin
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Rob Stewart