API Design for C++ provides a comprehensive discussion of Application Programming Interface (API) development, from initial design through implementation, testing, documentation, release, versioning, maintenance, and deprecation. The book focuses on the issues of designing APIs for a single language (C++), which remains one of the most widely used programming languages for large software projects. The book also covers specialized API topics, such as creating scripting and plug-in APIs, with emphasis on API design. A discussion on testing strategies concentrates on automated API testing techniques rather than attempting to include end-user application testing techniques such as GUI testing, system testing, or manual testing. The book will be helpful to new programmers who understand the fundamentals of C++ and who want to advance their design skills, as well as senior engineers and software architects seeking to gain new expertise to complement their existing talents. Three specific groups of readers are targeted: practicing software engineers and architects, technical managers, and students and educators.The only book that teaches the strategies of C++ API development, including design, versioning, documentation, testing, scripting, and extensibility. Extensive code examples illustrate each concept, with fully functional examples and working source code for experimentation available online.

Covers various API styles and patterns with a focus on practical and efficient designs for large-scale long-term projects.