Computing Reviews
Today's Issue Hot Topics Search Browse Recommended My Account Log In
Review Help
Search
Practical C++ financial programming
Oliveira C., Apress, New York, NY, 2015. 396 pp. Type: Book (978-1-430267-15-7)
Date Reviewed: Jan 26 2016

This book is a hybrid somewhere between a C++ cookbook and an introduction to the C++ programming language. Both technical and financial concepts are introduced using basic explanations accompanied by clear code examples.

The book clearly serves two distinguishable goals. First of all, it teaches the reader how to apply modern C++ techniques and concepts to the field of financial programming. This ranges from using the standard template library (STL) and Boost, to linear algebra and LP solver libraries. The second goal of the book is to act as a reference for solving common financial challenges. This duality is mirrored by the structure of the book, with most of the chapters grouping together related financial problems, while the remaining chapters cover general C++ concepts.

As the title suggests, the author has taken a practical hands-on approach. The different topics are self-contained, consisting of a high-level explanation accompanied by a complete code example. The book goes sufficiently in depth to make the presented solution easy to understand, but provides little to no background on the problem at hand. As a result, the book feels like a collection of topics with no clear connection, except for their relevance to the field of finance.

For a reader looking to learn either C++ or financial engineering, there are better resources available. However, for those interested in applying C++ to solve specific financial problems, this book is a good starting point. The code examples are rudimentary, yet complete enough to get the reader started on building more complex solutions on top.

The book’s biggest weakness is the lack of a structured approach to solving the problems presented. Elementary language concepts, mathematical background, and financial relevancy are interwoven in the solution, leaving the reader without a thorough understanding of any of them. Separating these concepts would not only make the solution approach easier to follow, but it would also allow experienced programmers or financial engineers to focus on the important aspects, rather than forcing them to read through the complete section.

Finally, the dedicated C++ chapters do not belong in this book. They contribute to the impression of an arbitrary distinction between what is and what is not considered to be prior knowledge.

The content of this book is excellent, but the presentation leaves much to be desired. I would recommend either adopting a cookbook style or transforming the book into a guide with more background on financial engineering in C++. In either case, an introduction to the language is better left to well-established books.

Reviewer:  Jonas Devlieghere Review #: CR144130 (1604-0234)
Bookmark and Share
  Reviewer Selected
 
 
C++ (D.3.2 ... )
 
 
Financial (J.1 ... )
 
 
Object-Oriented Programming (D.1.5 )
 
Would you recommend this review?
yes
no
Other reviews under "C++": Date
A C++ toolkit
Shapiro J., Prentice-Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1991. Type: Book (9780131276635)
Dec 1 1991
Borland C++ handbook
Pappas C., William H. I., McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, NY, 1991. Type: Book (9780078810152)
Feb 1 1993
Going from C to C++
Traister R., Academic Press Prof., Inc., San Diego, CA, 1993. Type: Book (9780126974126)
Apr 1 1994
more...

E-Mail This Printer-Friendly
Send Your Comments
Contact Us
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.   Copyright 1999-2024 ThinkLoud®
Terms of Use
| Privacy Policy