Debugging Visual C++ Windows

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Reviews
Amazon.com
One of the most overlooked aspects of software development is testing and debugging. Keith Bugg's Debugging Visual C++ Windows offers a wealth of expertise on fixing and preventing bugs in C++.

In early chapters, the author looks at the sources of errors in C++ programs, whether machine (such as round-off errors), compiler, run-time, or logic and design errors, and offers his expertise in minimizing them. A chapter on memory management functions--a common source of trouble in C++--demystifies what goes on underneath the hood. Further chapters look at the powerful debugging features available in Visual C++, such as assertions and built-in debugging functions that most developers probably aren't aware of. The author's expertise really shines in this section, offering some invaluable hints that should be a part of every Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) programmer's repertoire.

In subsequent sections, the author looks at exceptions and potential problems when porting code. The book closes with a tour of Visual C++ tools, such as the Profiler, Spy++, and Process Viewer, and an examination of popular add-on tools such as NuMega's BoundsChecker (for memory validation) and Microsoft Visual Test (for automated testing). For database programmers, a handy appendix lists Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) error codes. --Richard Dragan

Book Description
Understand and control the Bug cycle! This detailed desktop reference, provides tutorial based examples on how to debug Windows applications developed with Visual C++. You will get a conceptual model for preventing and eliminating bugs during the design cycle that includes suggestions on identification, prevention and correction for each of the four types of bugs:

* compile time bugs
* run time errors
* logic and design errors
* machine errors

Debugging Visual C++ Windows examines many of the factors that indirectly affect debugging. It includes a review of solid project planning and management strategies, testing plans, and known compiler bugs. You will learn how compiler tools such as TRACE, Spy, and Stress work. And you will discover how to monitor memory operations in your program as it executes - while viewing the results 'real time' in your debug window!

Also included is a critical review of the debugging tools that ship with Visual C++, as well as, commercial debuggers such as BoundsChecker and CodeWizard. Tips on debugging database applications are also provided (appendices are provided on ODBC error codes and SQL state values).

The companion disk contains workspace/projects demonstrating memory state checking, error message retrieval, compiler bugs, and how to use the #pragma compiler directive, ASSERT and TRACE.

Synopsis
Keith Bugg provides readers with a tutorial-based book that covers the entire software cycle and examines both Microsoft's debugger and third-party debuggers, including Purify and Bounds Checker.

About the Author
Keith Bugg is a seasoned Windows developer who has been working with Visual C++ since the release of version 1. Trained as a mathematician, he pursued his passion of developing software early in his career. His is primarily interested in the user interface; always looking for ways to make software more robust and easier to use. He is a regular contributor to Visual C++ Developer magazine and has authored The Visual C++ Construction Kit, Building Windows Help Files, and The MFC Controls Construction Kit.

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