Write Portable Code: An Introduction to Developing Software for Multiple Platforms

by Brian Hook

Portable software development is writing software that runs on a broad range of computer systems instead of just one (e.g., Windows). Programmers often pick up the idioms, tricks and methodologies for developing cross-platform software through sheer trial and error, as they encounter the same mistakes and patterns of code over time. If you're an intermediate-to advanced-level programmer who'd rather cut to the chase, Write Portable Code contains the lessons, patterns and knowledge you'll need for developing cross-platform software. Write Portable Code explains how Programmers who avoid becoming married to a specific development environment or target platform greatly expand the target market for their software products. Whether you design cross-platform software from the ground up or have to move large amounts of code from one platform to another, the information contained in Write Portable Code will help you achieve your goals and grow as a programmer. TOC
Preface
IntroductionChapter 1: Preparing for PortabilityChapter 2: ANSI C/C++Chapter 3: Techniques for PortabilityChapter 4: Editing and Source ControlChapter 5: Processor DifferencesChapter 6: Floating PointChapter 7: PreprocessorChapter 8: Compiler QuirksChapter 9: User InteractionChapter 10: NetworkingChapter 11: Operating SystemsChapter 12: Dynamic LibrariesChapter 13: Security and PermissionsChapter 14: File SystemsChapter 15: Scalability and PortabilityChapter 16: Portability and DataChapter 17: Internationalization and LocalizationChapter 18: Scripting LanguagesChapter 19: Cross-platform Libraries and Toolkits
Appendix POSHAppendix The Simple Audio LibraryAppendix The Rules for PortabilityReferences

Genres: Programming, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 12, 2005

Reviews

[Elie De Brauwer]

Interesting little book, to be seen in its historic context of the early 2000s when the DECs and Sun's were still on their way out, where x86 the de facto standard for PCs and when Mac still meant PPC. Nowadays AMD64 and ARM are obviously ruling the world and quite some new C/C++ etc standards have arisen making some/most of the topics covered quite dated. The latest chapter in the book also become quite short.

[Mahmoud ElSherif]

This book is necessary for every software lead and developer to understand the portability aspects during software development process.
reading this book will help you to develop precise coding guidelines for cross-platform applications

[Jens]

Not bad, but a majority of this information can easily be found online.