Debugging Visual C++ Windows · Choose the Best Debugging Tools/Debug the Entire Software Cycle [With *]

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