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How Not to Program in C++
111 Broken Programs and 3 Working Ones, or Why Does 2+2=5986?
by Steve Oualline

April 2003, 280 pp.
$24.95
ISBN-10 1-886411-95-6
ISBN-13 978-1-886411-95-1

  • Over 100 fun and challenging C++ puzzles that will make you a better programmer.

Find the bugs in these broken programs and become a better programmer. Based on real-world errors, the puzzles range from easy (one wrong character) to mind twisting (errors with multiple threads). Match your wits against the author's and polish your language skills as you try to fix broken programs. Clues help along the way, and answers are provided at the back of the book.


Steve Oualline has been a programmer for 35 years. He is the author of many bestselling computer books, including Practical C Programming and Practical C++ Programming (O'Reilly).

Broken "Hello World" Gallery
Steve Oualline found 15 different ways of breaking "Hello World." Are you smart enough to catch the errors? See if you can solve these buggy programs. (Hints and answers are included at the end.)

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