Cover of Effective Modern C++

Effective Modern C++

by Scott Meyers · first published 2014

127mentions
63recommended by
111HN commenters
2014–2026first – last mentioned

56% recommend32% neutral12% critical

Why HN recommends it

Short, practical guide to C++11/14 best practices, covering smart pointers, move semantics and type deduction; suits programmers returning to C++ from C++98 who want to modernize their habits.

Common criticism: Dense with subtle gotchas; some find it discouraging, and it stops at C++14

Summarised by Claude from recommending comments

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Mentions per year

230 2007: 0 mentions2008: 0 mentions2009: 0 mentions2010: 0 mentions2011: 0 mentions2012: 0 mentions2013: 0 mentions2014: 6 mentions2015: 11 mentions2016: 16 mentions2017: 23 mentions2018: 18 mentions2019: 6 mentions2020: 9 mentions2021: 6 mentions2022: 12 mentions2023: 7 mentions2024: 2 mentions2025: 1 mention2026: 4 mentions200720172026

What Hacker News says

  • nijaru · Mar 6, 2018 · Recommends

    Effective Modern C++ by Scott Meyers is a good book that I've been supplementing with google searches. It goes over the main new features in '11 and '14 you would want to know.

    on “Google's C++ Class” ↗
  • linuxlizard · Jan 7, 2019 · Recommends

    I've been in the same boat--relearning C++ after using C++98(!) for a long time. My first go-to book was _A Tour of C++_ , 2e by Stroustrup. Also _Effective Modern C++_ by Scott Meyers (of _Effective C++_ fame). Other books I've been reading: _C++ 17 The Complete Guide_ by Josuttis _C++ 17 in Detail_ by Filipek Lots of good blogs out there. Also the CPP Podcast.…

    on “I learnt C++ in 2018 and have no regrets” ↗
  • frankzinger · Apr 1, 2015 · Recommends

    …definitive list, but these are good: The C++ Programming Language, 4th edition Bjarne Stroustrup The C++ Standard Library, 2nd Edition Nicolai M. Josuttis Effective C++, More Effective C++, Effective Modern C++ Scott Meyers http://en.cppreference.com

    on “Doom3 is the proof that “keep it simple” works” ↗
  • lallysingh · Apr 27, 2016 · Recommends

    …lambdas). There aren't any (AFAIK) explicit breaks of '98 code in '14. So the theory is that code should compile with the new compiler fine, but you'll likely hit some issues. Check out Scott Meyers book: Effective Modern C++ for the deltas.

    on “GCC 6.1 Released” ↗
  • MrUnderhill · Mar 16, 2017 · Recommends

    I've recently been reading Scott Meyers' Effective (Modern) C++ books. They are fantastic - can anyone recommend something similar for C? I.e. books that assume you're familiar with the language, but explains pitfalls and best practices in a practical way.

    on “Principles for C programming” ↗
  • jjuhl · Aug 8, 2015 · Recommends

    …favorite non-fiction books that have a great signal-to-noise ratio: - Computer Organization and Design, Fourth Edition: The Hardware/Software Interface - Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment - Effective Modern C++ - SFML Game Development - Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools

    on “Ask HN: Books with a high signal to noise ratio?” ↗
  • sanderjd · Sep 7, 2015 · Recommends

    …I'm working through Java 8 in Action[0] in parallel, and it's been a good experience. I've also been enjoying this Modern Java blog series, which is book-ish[1]. In a similar vein, I really enjoyed Effective Modern C++[2]. I think The Ruby Way[3] is still the best ruby book, and a new edition just came out earlier this year. I'm looking for a good book about modern javascript if anyone has any suggestions. [0]:…

    on “Ask HN: What are the latest and greatest books on your favorite language?” ↗
  • manaskarekar · Jan 10, 2016 · Recommends

    …breakdown of books by their goals in this FAQ : https://isocpp.org/wiki/faq/how-to-learn-cpp I would say 'C++ Primer 5th Edition' and 'The C++ Programming Language 4th Edition' are good. And of course, Effective Modern C++, although the other Effective series books from Meyers are a must read. http://www.informit.com/store/c-plus-plus-primer-97803217141... http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920033707.do http://www.informit.com/store/c-plus-plus-programming-langua...…

    on “Writing high-performance servers in modern C++” ↗
  • alstrex · May 8, 2016 · Recommends

    …times. -Effective C++ (by Scott Meyers). A bit "outdated" from a language standpoint, but many of the techniques still apply and also, not every C++ codebase is using the latest and greatest anyway. -Effective Modern C++ (by Scott Meyers). A new set of "best practices" for a more modern C++ environment I haven't found many good resources for JUCE other than reading through the JUCE forums, the project doc (often lacking),…

    on “Ask HN: Best way to learn 'modern' C++?” ↗
  • swift · Jan 7, 2017 · Recommends

    They're not really equivalent, but Scott Meyers' series of books on C++ are some of my favorite technical writing ever, and his most recent book "Effective Modern C++" should be on the shelf of every working C++ programmer.

    on “C99/C11 dynamic array that mimics C++'s std::vector” ↗
  • btschaegg · Jan 9, 2017 · Recommends

    …in a compiler author's perspective). As far as reading materials go, I know of two books that seem to cater to your background: Stroustrup: A tour to C++ (http://www.stroustrup.com/Tour.html) Meyers: Effective modern C++ (http://shop.oreilly.com/product/mobile/0636920033707.do) I personally only own the second one, but have already heard good things about the first one as well. The C++ core guidelines (work in progress…

    on “Best way to (re)learn modern C++ as its own language?” ↗
  • eej71 · Jan 13, 2017 · Recommends

    Unfortunately it's not terse but Effective Modern C++ by Scott Meyers is a good resource. http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920033707.do

    on “GCC is C++17 Complete” ↗
  • dogruck · Nov 9, 2017 · Recommends

    …preamble, but the bulk of the content is a detailed technical explanation for how “auto” works in C++. I was expecting some style guide rules of thumb. Scott Meyers does a good job of explaining “auto” in Effective Modern C++.

    on “Don’t use C++ auto? Restricting auto is not the best decision” ↗
  • landtuna · Mar 7, 2018 · Recommends

    …has become) and here: https://herbsutter.com/gotw/ (Not as organized, but Herb Sutter wrestles with the essential questions of how to deal with the tricky bits of C++) If you've got the cash, read Effective Modern C++ by Scott Meyers. Finally, if you're ready to snark at all you've learned, read the C++ FQA: http://yosefk.com/c++fqa/

    on “Ask HN: Best way to learn modern C++?” ↗
  • nikki93 · Sep 6, 2020 · Recommends

    Tour of C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup as others have mentioned. Effective Modern C++ by Scott Meyers (esp. for the chapters on smart pointers). Arthur O' Dwyer's "Mastering the C++17 STL" David Vandervoode and Nicolai Josuttis etc.'s "Templates the Complete Guide" The first chapter…

    on “C++20 has been approved” ↗

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