standard library or boost

[wunderbred]

hello I am new to C++ programming and would like to say I love this site it has helped me familiarize my self with the standard library.

I have been doing some reading on other sites too and decided to look find out some 3rd party libraries I should include. I found this forum post.

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/777764/what-modern-c-libraries-should-be-in-my-toolbox

Now my question is, should focus more on understanding boost and not worry as much about the similar standard library classes?

I see a lot of big players support boost.

Sorry if the question seems weird, I just want to be as successful with C++ as possible.

[JLBorges]

> should focus more on understanding boost and not worry as much about the similar standard library classes?

No. NO. NO.

First get familiar with the standard C++ library. This is a good book:
'The C++ Standard Library: A Tutorial and Reference (2nd Edition)' by Josuttis
http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Library-Tutorial-Reference-2nd/dp/0321623215

If the standard C++ library is missing the functionality that is required, see if one of the boost libraries can be used.

[wunderbred]

Hi JLBorges,

Thank you very much. Thats what I was hoping to hear, I spent a lot of time parsing this websites reference material and didn't want to find out I was wasting my time. I will consider boost an extension and not a replacement.

Thanks for the referral for the book, I will probably purchase it soon.