Chapter 15 - Power Programming: Tapping Important C and C++ Libraries
Visual C++ 6: The Complete Reference
Chris H. Pappas and William H. Murray, III
Copyright 1998 The McGraw-Hill Companies
Chapter 15: Power Programming: Tapping Important C and C++ Libraries
Overview
Programmers rely heavily on functions built into C and C++ compiler libraries. These built-in functions save you from “reinventing the wheel” when you need a special routine. Both C and C++ offer extensive support for character, string, math, and time and date functions. Most library functions are portable from one computer to another and from one operating system to another. There are some functions, however, that are system or compiler dependent. Using these functions efficiently requires you to know where to locate the library functions and how to call them properly.
Many C and C++ functions have already been heavily used in earlier chapters. These include, for example, functions prototyped in the STDIO.H and IOSTREAM.H header files. It is difficult to do any serious programming without taking advantage of their power. This chapter does not repeat a study of their use; rather, it concentrates on new functions that will enhance character, string, and math work.