Effective C++, Second Edition
Contents

Dedication
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction

Shifting from C to C++
  Item 1:        Prefer const and inline to #define.
Item 2:  Prefer <iostream> to <stdio.h>.
Item 3:  Prefer new and delete to malloc and free.
Item 4:  Prefer C++-style comments.

Memory Management
 
Item 5:  Use the same form in corresponding uses of new and delete.
Item 6:  Use delete on pointer members in destructors.
Item 7:  Be prepared for out-of-memory conditions.
Item 8:  Adhere to convention when writing operator new and operator delete.
Item 9:  Avoid hiding the "normal" form of new.
Item 10:  Write operator delete if you write operator new.

Constructors, Destructors, and Assignment Operators
 
Item 11:  Declare a copy constructor and an assignment operator for classes with dynamically allocated memory.
Item 12:  Prefer initialization to assignment in constructors.
Item 13:  List members in an initialization list in the order in which they are declared.
Item 14:  Make sure base classes have virtual destructors.
Item 15:  Have operator= return a reference to *this.
Item 16:  Assign to all data members in operator=.
Item 17:  Check for assignment to self in operator=.

Classes and Functions: Design and Declaration
 
Item 18:  Strive for class interfaces that are complete and minimal.
Item 19:  Differentiate among member functions, non-member functions, and friend functions.
Item 20:  Avoid data members in the public interface.
Item 21:  Use const whenever possible.
Item 22:  Prefer pass-by-reference to pass-by-value.
Item 23:  Don't try to return a reference when you must return an object.
Item 24:  Choose carefully between function overloading and parameter defaulting.
Item 25:  Avoid overloading on a pointer and a numerical type.
Item 26:  Guard against potential ambiguity.
Item 27:  Explicitly disallow use of implicitly generated member functions you don't want.
Item 28:  Partition the global namespace.

Classes and Functions: Implementation
 
Item 29:  Avoid returning "handles" to internal data.
Item 30:  Avoid member functions that return non-const pointers or references to members less accessible than themselves.
Item 31:  Never return a reference to a local object or to a dereferenced pointer initialized by new within the function.
Item 32:  Postpone variable definitions as long as possible.
Item 33:  Use inlining judiciously.
Item 34:  Minimize compilation dependencies between files.

Inheritance and Object-Oriented Design
 
Item 35:  Make sure public inheritance models "isa."
Item 36:  Differentiate between inheritance of interface and inheritance of implementation.
Item 37:  Never redefine an inherited nonvirtual function.
Item 38:  Never redefine an inherited default parameter value.
Item 39:  Avoid casts down the inheritance hierarchy.
Item 40:  Model "has-a" or "is-implemented-in-terms-of" through layering.
Item 41:  Differentiate between inheritance and templates.
Item 42:  Use private inheritance judiciously.
Item 43:  Use multiple inheritance judiciously.
Item 44:  Say what you mean; understand what you're saying.

Miscellany
 
Item 45:  Know what functions C++ silently writes and calls.
Item 46:  Prefer compile-time and link-time errors to runtime errors.
Item 47:  Ensure that non-local static objects are initialized before they're used.
Item 48:  Pay attention to compiler warnings.
Item 49:  Familiarize yourself with the standard library.
Item 50:  Improve your understanding of C++.

Afterword
Index