Books MMX Code Optimization C++ Delphi Design MMX   The Complete Guide to MMX Technology by David Bistry (Editor), Carole Dulong, Mickey Gutman, Mike Julier (Contributor), Mike Keith (Contributor)  Intel's new MMX technology--now built into every Pentium and other Intel Desktop processor--can dramatically increase the performance of multimedia applications. This unique book, written by members of the Intel MMX architecture team, makes MMX technology understandable and accessible to all readers and provides a wealth of practical advice on using MMX technology to maximum advantage--compatibility features, expanded instruction set, code examples and programming utilities on an accompanying CD-ROM, optimization guidelines, tips on using MMX tools, and techniques for MMX coding.  DirectX, RDX, RSX, and MMX Techonology: A Jumpstart Guide to High Performance APIs  by Rohan Coelho, Maher Hawash  This is a comprehensive, hands-on resource for graphics programmers looking to master the latest in multimedia hardware advancements. The CD-ROM includes a DirectX software development kit with samples. Code Optimization   Inner Loops : A Sourcebook for Fast 32-Bit Software Design by Rick Booth With practical advice and a broad sampling of important algorithms, Inner Loops shows how to design programs that extend the edge of the envelope of PC performance. It provides a thorough review of 32-bit code optimization for the 486, Pentium and Pentium Pro, as well as design tips for writing fast 32-bit software.  Pentium Pro and Pentium II System Architecture (PC System Architecture Series)  by Tom Shanley, Inc. MindShare Details the internal architecture of the Pentium Pro and Pentium II processors, describing their hardware and software characteristics, the bus protocol they use to communicate with the system, and the overall machine architecture, and also covering the BIOS Update Feature. This second edition focuses on features of the Pentium II and highlights the differences between it and the Pentium Pro. For hardware and software design and support personnel with knowledge of x86 processor architecture. Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR  Zen of Code Optimization/Book and Disk by Michael Abrash Michael Abrash explores the inner workings of all Intel-based PCs including the hot new Pentium. This is the only book available that provides practical and innovative "right-brain" approaches to writing fast PC software using C/C++ and assembly language. This book is packed with "from the trenches" programming secrets and features "undocumented" Pentium programming tips. Provides hundreds of optimized coding examples. Programming Pearls, Second Edition (ACM Press)  by Jon Louis Bentley  The essays in this book present programs that go beyond solid engineering techniques to be creative and clever solutions to computer problems. The programs are fun and teach important programming tecniques and fundamental design principles. Jim Blinn's Corner : A Trip Down the Graphics Pipeline by Jim Blinn  Together for the first time, a compendium of graphics guru Jim Blinn's best columns from "Jim Blinn's Corner," his regular column in IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications. With added commentary, this book offers special tips and tricks for programmers with emphasis on the mathematical aspects of computer graphics.  Jim Blinn's Corner : Dirty Pixels by Jim Blinn  The original graphics guru, Jim Blinn returns with a second compilation of the best columns from "Jim Blinn's Corner, " his regular column in IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications. He shares his most useful graphics tips and tricks, many of which have never before been addressed.  C++   The C++ Programming Language by Bjarne Stroustrup In this brand-new third edition of The C++ Programming Language, author Bjarne Stroustrup, the creator of C++, presents the full specification for the C++ language and standard library, a spec that will soon become the joint ISO/ANSI C++ standard. Past readers will find that the new edition has changed a great deal and grown considerably to encompass new language features, particularly run-time type identification, namespaces, and the standard library. At the same time, readers will recognize the lucid style and sensible advice that made previous editions so readable and enjoyable. Probably the biggest change is a substantial new section, well over 200 pages in length, covering the contents and design of the C++ standard library, the most important new feature of the C++ specification. The author has also added a substantial number of new exercises while keeping many from previous editions that have retained their value. While The C++ Programming Language is not a C++ tutorial, strictly speaking, anyone learning the language, especially those coming from C, will greatly benefit from the clear presentation of all its elements. It is impossible to overstate the importance of this book for anyone who is serious about using C++. Thinking in C++, Vol. 1 (2nd Edition)  by Bruce Eckel  Fully revised and beefed up with plenty of new material on today's Standard C++, the new edition of Bruce Eckel's Thinking in C++: Volume I is an excellent tutorial to mastering this rich (and sometimes daunting) programming language, filled with expert advice and written in a patient, knowledgeable style.  The effective presentation, along with dozens of helpful code examples, make this book a standout. The text first sets the stage for using C++ with a tour of what object-oriented programming is all about, as well as the software design life cycle. The author then delves into every aspect of C++, from basic keywords and programming principles to more advanced topics, like function and operator overloading, virtual inheritance, exception handling, namespaces, and templates. C++ is a complex language, and the author covers a lot of ground using today's Standard C++, but without getting bogged down in excessive detail.  The emphasis here is on practical programming, so there's basic advice on using header files, preprocessor directives, and namespaces to organize code effectively. Each chapter ends with exercises (usually about two dozen), and the entire text of the book is available on the accompanying CD-ROM. (So is the second volume, which tours Standard C++ classes and other advanced topics.)  Whether you have read the first edition of this book or not, there is much to mine from Thinking in C++. This new version continues to set a high standard as an approachable and thorough tutorial. The C++ Standard Library : A Tutorial and Reference by Nicolai M. Josuttis Programming with the C++ Standard Library can certainly be difficult, but Nicolai Josuttis's The C++ Standard Library provides one of the best available guides to using the built-in features of C++ effectively.  The C++ Standard Library provides plenty of default functionality in the form of the Standard Template Library (STL) for containers (like vectors and linked lists), as well as generic algorithms (which allow you to sort, search, and manipulate elements inside containers). The best thing about The C++ Standard Library is that it gives the reader a concise guide to working with these basic containers (from lists to sets and maps, with everything in between). Each container type is explained along with short code excerpts. Moreover, in a reference section, the author explores the connections between each container type, showing how they share similar methods. (Learn just a few methods and you can pretty much work with them all.)  In addition to STL, this book excels at providing a readable introduction to the generic algorithms (which can be used to sort, search, and otherwise manipulate STL containers). Other books either fold this material in with the explanation of containers or make it seem like an esoteric topic. The fact is, generic algorithms work with all the STL types, and by separating these algorithms out like this the reader can learn the rich array of algorithms available in today's standard C++. While this book concentrates on STL and algorithms, readers will still find great coverage on Standard Library string classes and streams (including a fine section on internationalization and locales).  For the beginning or intermediate C++ programmer, The C++ Standard Library can be a real timesaver. It arranges and explains the complexities of the C++ Standard Library and STL in a manageable format that's great as a reference and as an approach to programming. C++ Primer by Stanley B. Lippman and Josee Lajoie This new edition of C++ Primer, a favorite choice for a first C++ book, has been greatly improved with the latest and greatest on C++, stressing the built-in language features of the C++ Standard Library. For this new version--weighing in at a massive 1,237 pages--Stanley Lippman, a well-known C++ expert, teams up with Josée Lajoie, who has helped define the C++ international language standard. The new material is excellent for programmers who want to get the most out of new and advanced features in the language. The authors still introduce the basics of C++, including data types and pointers, but quickly move on to stress how to get the most out of the built-in features of ISO-standard C++. Throughout this book built-in support for the C++ Standard Library, such as container classes like vectors and maps, and other standard features, such as the string class, are integrated into a tried-and- proven basic-language tutorial. The major new features of C++ (templates, name spaces, and run-time type identification) all get their due. The result is an authoritative guide to basic and advanced C++ in a clear and readable style, with plenty of short, practical examples throughout the text. The book includes exercises--some quite challenging--for every section: a perfect choice both for self-study and the classroom. C++ Builder How-To : The Definitive C++ Builder Problem-Solver by John Miano, Thomas Cabanski (Contributor), Harold Howe (Contributor) Borland C++ Builder is Borland's new object-oriented development tool that combines the power and control of the C++ programming language with the rapid application development productivity of Delphi. Using the award-winning question-and-answer format of the How-To series, this must-have guide provides programmers with everything they need to use this powerful tool to write professional programs and solve complex problems quickly. - Includes custom components programmers can use in their C++ Builder applications  Delphi Delphi in a Nutshell : A Desktop Quick Reference by Ray Lischner  Aimed at the working Delphi developer, Delphi in a Nutshell is an effective desktop reference to this popular programming tool. Besides listing all core classes and methods, this book also provides a host of expert dos and don'ts for mastering the newest features in Delphi's Object Pascal.  The heart of this book is its reference sections on built-in Delphi language features and other useful information on this development tool. Each entry has a guide to syntax, a description of all parameters and return values, and code samples, plus many entries feature "tricks and tips" with additional information. While this title concentrates on the "core" language (instead of Delphi's extensive support for visual components), there's little doubt that it will be useful if you work with the tool on a daily basis.  The book also delivers an advanced guide to ramping up on the latest and greatest in new language features in Object Pascal. Material on using classes, and the type of information features available in today's Delphi, are particularly effective. There are a lot of smart tips on proper class design techniques, including using properties, constructors, and destructors. (Delphi has its own conventions here, and this book will fill you in if you are coming to Object Pascal from another programming language.) Along the way, the author offers numerous expert nuggets on when to use (and when to avoid) using certain features. Whether you are a novice or a more experienced developer, this tutorial and reference is all you need to be productive with the latest and greatest in object-oriented programming with Delphi. Mastering Delphi 6  by Marco Cantu  Whether you class yourself as just a beginner or have long been a lover of Borland's much-acclaimed object-oriented development tool, Mastering Delphi 6 has plenty to offer you. Written by world-renowned Delphi expert Marco Cantù, this edition, marking the release of Delphi 6, continues the tradition of excellence, balancing attention to detail with the author's unfussy, very readable style, which makes this a book that's accessible to all. While you will need an understanding of the basics of Pascal, even that is catered to by the inclusion of an easy-to-understand Pascal tutorial as one of the four bonus "chapters" on the accompanying CD-ROM. The CD-ROM also includes example source code and the full searchable text of the book in Acrobat format. Much of the introductory material included in previous editions has been removed in favor of plenty of exposure to the enhancements available in Delphi 6. Among others, these include CLX, the new cross-platform component library, dbExpress, the new database engine, and Delphi's extensive support for e-business and Web development. There is also improved coverage of some of Delphi's longer-standing features. Designed in a tutorial format, this book bristles with practical programming. In all, there are around 300 examples, each one supported by Cantù's clear explanation of the key skills in view. From the foundations of Delphi's object-oriented class library through to a whole section devoted to building Web applications, no information is left unexplored. If you are looking to lever your skills and harness the power of Delphi 6 for your applications, look no further than this excellent resource. The Tomes of Delphi: Algorithms and Data Structures by Julian Bucknall Delphi developer Julian Bucknall provides fellow developers a comprehensive overview of using algorithms and data structures from a practical perspective. Bucknall begins with a discussion of algorithm performance, and provides comprehensive coverage of such topics as arrays, linked lists, and binary trees. The book focuses on search algorithms—such as sequential and binary search—and sort algorithms—including bubble, insertion, Shell sort, quicksort, merge sort, and heapsort—along with techniques for optimization. Additionally, the author presents hashing and hash tables, priority queues, state machines and regular expressions, and data compression techniques such as Huffman and LZ77. The companion CD contains the author’s highly successful freeware library EZDSL, source code compatible with all versions of Delphi and with Kylix, and executables from TurboPower Software Company. Design   The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte A timeless classic in how complex information should be presented graphically. The Strunk & White of visual design. Should occupy a place of honor--within arm's reach--of everyone attempting to understand or depict numerical data graphically. The design of the book is an exemplar of the principles it espouses: elegant typography and layout, and seamless integration of lucid text and perfectly chosen graphical examples. Very Highly Recommended. Envisioning Information by Edward R. Tufte A remarkable range of examples for the idea of visual thinking, with beautifully printed pages. A real treat for all who reason and learn by means of images. Visual Explanations by Edward R. Tufte With Visual Explanations, Edward R. Tufte adds a third volume to his indispensable series on information display. The first, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, which focuses on charts and graphs that display numerical information, virtually defined the field. The second, Envisioning Information, explores similar territory but with an emphasis on maps and cartography. Visual Explanations centers on dynamic data--information that changes over time. (Tufte has described the three books as being about, respectively, "pictures of numbers, pictures of nouns, and pictures of verbs.") Like its predecessors, Visual Explanations is both intellectually stimulating and beautiful to behold. Tufte, a self-publisher, takes extraordinary pains with design and production. The book ranges through a variety of topics, including the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger (which could have been prevented, Tufte argues, by better information display on the part of the rocket's engineers), magic tricks, a cholera epidemic in 19th-century London, and the principle of using "the smallest effective difference" to display distinctions in data. Throughout, Tufte presents ideas with crystalline clarity and illustrates them in exquisitely rendered samples.