Rating: 
Summary: After two editorial updates, still poor
Review: Just to set the record straight, I've 6 years C++ under my belt, so don't consider myself to be a raw beginner. When starting out in C++, I bought the first edition of this book in 1993, and immediately found it completely unsuited to the beginner. Thankfully, Lippman's book was around to save the day.In the meantime, I've gained experience using the language, and thought, well surely after two more editions the book's layout and comprehensibility have improved. The language itself has also evolved. So I thought, which book to go for: this book or the updated edition of Lippman's book. I was impressed with the number of reviews here, and initially thought that such a large number of plus reviews must mean something. Big letdown, I have to conclude that the book is still over-complicated, badly structured and unpleasant to read. I've since talked to some of my colleagues, and not one of us have a good thing to say about the book. For myself, I'll buy the revised edition of Lippman's book, to once again help me.
Rating: 
Summary: Kernighan and Ritchie for C++
Review: This book does for C++ what Kernighan and Ritchie does for C. You must have it if you are serious about C++. It provides an essential reference on proper C++ programming principals.
Rating:
Summary: The C++ Bible
Review: While not for beginners, this book is the definitive guide to the language (C++ was, after all, created by the author). The book is not only informative and authoritative; it is also well-written, even witty at times. If ever there was an argument for programming as art, this book is it. No C++ programmer should be without it!
Rating: 
Summary: Great book for experienced C++ programmers
Review: The book serves as a reference for experienced C++ programmers. It is to C++ what K+R is to C.
Rating:
Summary: there's "computer specialists", and there's professionals
Review: From my point of view, there is a very simple question to answer: Did you, finally, somehow hear about C++, or are you seriously working out concepts to implement "real-world-solutions" in the IT-business, thus: need to rely on certain tools and circumstances.
In the latter case: How can you afford to miss this book?
On the other hand, if you feel attracted to answer YES to the question's first part: Don't buy the book, don't waste your time (and the author's one).
bjarne stroustrup presents a clear explanation of how to implement clear concepts to those who are clearly familar with:
a) the C++ programming language,
b) the need to get professional advice on DOs and DONTs,
c) a common sense of danger,
d) the will (and force) to understand more than what is called essential. I do not carry many books on computer science. I "already studied that topic" at one of America's best reputated universities. THIS book simply BELONGS to any serious programmer's shelf.
If you're "just attracted" to C++, want to learn IT or MORE, buying bs's book will not serve the purpose. Look up the other reviews, there's lots of good recommendations.
If you're a creative computer scientist (or at least a serious programmer) go and get it- you don't need many books anyway (not to mention specific docs). But THIS one is a "reliable authority" to accompany you each and ev'ry grey business day, just right at this moment: "there is a detail I forgot..." there's "computer specialists", and there's professionals ariell
Rating:
Summary: The worst book on C++!
Review: Maybe my word is a little attacking to Bjarne Stroustrup.
Still, this is the feeling now I have since I bought this book two year's before.
Even using the index, I can't find the wanted info about specific items. And when I find the info, the key part is not there. This is really annoying, esp. when you find such key parts in other books.
Some will say: "Oh, it is not for begginners." Yet, I don't think it is appropriate even for an intermediate reader. As regards to advanced programmer, I don't know because I am not at an advanced level of C++. I respect Bjarne Stroustrup, for he has invented such a great language to easy our programming life. Yet, maybe he is not good at writing. If you want to learn C++ at a decent speed, here is my list:
1. "Accelerated C++" by Andrew Koenig -- This is THE BOOK on C++. I think it can be compared to K&R's "The C Programming Language" in years to come.
2. "Effective C++ and More Effective C++ CD" by Scott Meyer -- This cultures good programming styles in C++.
3. "The C++ Standard Library" by Josuttis -- This is the reference I use in every day programming life. It can't be over-emphasized.
4. "Exceptional C++" by Herb Sutter -- He teaches you the delicate and subtle parts of C++. They are easy to ignore, but never unimportant. It won't fail you.
Rating:
Summary: Are You Experienced?
Review: Bjarne Stroustrup's THE C++ PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE is ideal for those potential buyers who already know 75% of what is written in the book. But please note that this is not necessarily a put-down or a bad thing. This book is reference material for people who are already familiar with the concepts and syntax of C++. If you're looking to learn C++ from scratch, then run far and run quickly away from this book. On the other hand, if you're an experienced coder who's looking to remember specific details, or an intermediate who's looking for some nitty-gritty information, then this is a highly recommended reference book. The writing is meticulous and often obscure. But Stroustrup packs in a lot of detail into every page. The example code is short and to the point. He assumes that if you don't get what he's talking about the first time, then further examples aren't going to help; and most of the time this assumption is justified, as his terse code manages to convey everything that it needs to. You really do need to have experience with C++ to understand a lot of his examples though, as often he will casually mention a concept or function that he won't get around to defining for another few hundred pages. After all, most of the features in C++ interact heavily with other functions, so it's not really possible to explain some things without explaining their relationships (even if they are relating to things that the text has not yet brought up). But, as I said, this is reference material, and such conventions are allowable and, at times, encouraged. I am much happier with a book like this that gives me all of the detail necessary than an introductory book that would only offer simplistic explanations in the beginning while holding out for the details towards the end. The book covers virtually every major aspect of the C++ programming language. While everything is richly explained, I find the sections on the standard containers and their iterators to be particularly enlightening. There is a lot of overlap inherent in these concepts, but each individual portion is clearly and unambiguously explained. The sections on pointers, classes, and inheritance are similarly helpful. But, to be honest, there is no reason for me to list everything that the book explains, because it literally contains everything; if it's not in the book, then in all likelihood it's not in the language either. THE C++ PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE is a dense book and is packed to the gills with invaluable information and a fair bit of insight. As the inventor of the C++ language itself, Stroustrup is the closest person to the actual syntax, and short of reading the ISO spec, you simply won't find a more comprehensive tome on the subject. Remember, if you're a beginner, stay away. If you're experienced or you plan on being so, then you need to own this book today.
Rating:
Summary: The only reference book you need
Review: Don't even try this book if you're still into basics of C++, but if you're a seasoned programmer, this is the only C++ reference required. Everything is crisp and to the point. Stroustrup doesn't waste time repeating information. So, be prepared to read between the lines as well !
Rating: 
Summary: You can't live with it and you can't live without it.
Review: "The C++ Programming Language" is a book about the C++ language written by the inventor of the language. As a result the book becomes an authoritative guide to the C++ language (except for the ISO C++ standard, but that is almost incomprehendable). So when you discuss a C++ language issue with a friend or collegue this book can help you settle that discussion. So for that reason alone this book should be on the bookshelf of any serious C++ programmer. That said, this book is no tutorial, although it attempts to be one. It is not very well written and can be hard to navigate at times. You should think of it as an annotated version of the standard - not a book to learn C++ from. So if you are not a proficient C++ programmer you should not attempt to read this book; you won't be able to understand most of it. For a tutorial I instead recommend Stephen Prata: C++ Primer Plus. Also, the book gives a series of programming and design advice. Some which are not generally recognized as good ideas. For example he recommends the use of the constant 0 directly instead of using NULL for null-pointers. So these advices should be read with some skepticism. For good programming advice I recommend Scott Meyers: Effective C++. So in the end I look at this book with mixed feelings. You can't live with it but can't live without it either.
Rating:
Summary: the bible
Review: You are a C++ programmer - you own this book. If you don't, buy it, buy it right now. This is the reference work on C++, written by the original creator of the language himself: Bjarne Stroustrup. Although this isn't a book for beginners the text is very readable and concise. I particularly liked the code examples he gives, because they are not of your usual 'hello world' text book quality, but rather examples taken from the real world. He also doesn't commit the crime of many authors of presenting code with remarks like this: "this is not the way you should do it, you'll learn the correct way later". Bjarne isn't the die-hard, everything must be object oriented type of guy (that is a good thing!), thus presenting the more traditional style of procedural programming first. While still taking advantage of the OO facilities of C++, like stream IO for example, he doesn't overwhelm you with the responsibility of designing proper classes from page one. In the more philosophical chapters about design and 'the importance of the individual' the author demonstrates a very rational, non-preaching point of view backed up with lots of real world experience.
No compromises, this book is a must have.
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