“API Design for C++” by Martin Reddy is a comprehensive guide to designing reliable, extensible, and long-lasting interfaces. Creating an API is not just a technical task — it’s the art of designing interaction points between modules, libraries, and teams. In C++, where flexibility meets complexity, getting interface design right is critical.
The author focuses not only on syntax, but also on the architecture of component interactions, change resilience, dependency management, and long-term maintainability. This is not a C++ reference manual, but an engineering methodology valuable for both embedded development and large-scale library engineering.
Download “API Design for C++” in PDF to master the creation of APIs that remain stable, extensible, and understandable for years to come. From the very first chapters, you’ll learn how to structure dependencies, avoid common pitfalls, design clear contracts, and release libraries that don’t require constant patching.
What Are the Strengths of “API Design for C++”, 2nd edition?
- It teaches engineering thinking: not just writing APIs, but designing them as contracts — with attention to versioning, backward compatibility, and interface stability.
- Real-world case-based approach: each chapter draws from large-scale C++ projects in graphics, rendering, networking, and plugin systems.
- Strong focus on change resilience: how to evolve APIs without breaking client code — with encapsulation, ABI stability, and proven design patterns.
- Universal applicability: strategies are suitable for both public SDKs and internal APIs between modules.
- Attention to language-specific details: C++ features like multiple inheritance, virtual functions, templates, and inlining are explored in the context of API design, not as abstract theory.
This manual helps you think like a software architect, not just a coder.
What Will You Learn from This Guide?
It delivers a systematic understanding of how to approach interface design in C++.
- Building stable, extensible APIs
- Managing dependencies across modules
- Versioning and backward compatibility techniques
- Encapsulation and hiding implementation details
- APIs as contracts — documentation and expected behavior
- Binary and source compatibility strategies
- Maintaining ABI across versions
- Using templates and inheritance with minimal risk
Where and How Can You Apply the Material?
“API Design for C++” is especially useful in:
- Developing SDKs and C++ libraries
- Creating plugin systems and modular platforms
- Architecting large applications (CAD, game engines, simulation)
- Designing interfaces between core logic and UI/services
- Supporting cross-team development in enterprise environments
You’ll confidently learn how to:
- Design APIs that scale and evolve without breaking
- Reduce coupling between components
- Ensure stability when updating libraries
- Document and validate interfaces for both internal and external use
The Developer's Opinion About the Book
This guide teaches how to design robust, maintainable APIs in C and C++. Covers encapsulation, ABI stability, error handling, and documentation strategies. After reading, you’ll write libraries that scale across platforms and teams. A must-read for system developers and SDK architects. Includes real-world examples of how to manage backwards compatibility and cross-version support—key knowledge for any long-lived C/C++ codebase.
Daniel Thompson, Senior C++ Software Engineer
FAQ for "API Design for C++"
1. Does the textbook explain how to avoid implementation leakage?
Yes. The author explains techniques for hiding implementation details using the Pimpl idiom, abstract classes, composition, and virtual interfaces. You'll learn how to isolate internal logic, reduce rebuild times, and protect clients from unnecessary dependencies — all critical for stable and maintainable APIs.
2. Is “API Design for C++” suitable for beginner-level C++ developers?
Not quite. The material targets experienced engineers, especially those who’ve worked on maintaining or evolving libraries. Concepts like ABI, encapsulation, and interface segregation are discussed without oversimplification. That said, if you’re a mid-level developer looking to grow into architecture or public library design, this guide offers a significant leap forward. Beginners may want to pair it with more introductory resources on C++ architecture.
3. Does the publication include examples of poor API design?
Yes. The guide includes sections analyzing flawed designs — such as tight coupling, SRP violations, excessive inheritance, rigid typing, and missing contracts. Each case explains the real-world impact: from hindering upgrades to limiting reusability. This makes the material especially valuable for engineers involved in code reviews and interface planning at the platform or library level.
4. Are templates and generic design approaches covered?
Yes — from the perspective of safe and sustainable API design. The author shows when templates are appropriate and when they complicate support and modularity. You’ll learn techniques to stabilize interfaces when using generics, and how to separate interface from implementation. While the book doesn’t dive into metaprogramming, it addresses templates in terms of readability and long-term clarity for API consumers.
5. Is this guide helpful for designing APIs across different languages (like C++ and Python)?
Partially. Although the focus is on pure C++, the author touches on interface export strategies — including C-style APIs — which are useful for language bindings. You’ll learn how to design APIs that are wrapper-friendly, with considerations for extern "C", struct constraints, type safety, and object lifecycle. These insights are useful when creating bindings for Python, JavaScript, or other consumers.
Information
| Author: | Martin Reddy | Language: | English |
| Publisher: | Morgan Kaufmann | ISBN-13: | 978-0443222191 |
| Publication Date: | June 6, 2024 | ISBN-10: | 0443222193 |
| Print Length: | 648 pages | Category: | C++ Books |
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