[hazzen]

I don't know if V8 follows the Google C++ Style Guide[1] (I doubt it, but it is possible), but that could explain a lot. I feel that it provides a good balance between power and readability. You don't have the language-within-a-language pattern that arises in some of the boost libraries, but you do get RAII and a few template tricks. The language feels much like a cleaner Java, with very few opportunities to do something incredibly stupid.

However, if I had not been given the style guide and a more experienced reviewer to tell me right from wrong, I would be incredibly frustrated with the language. C++ is complex enough that a book probably isn't enough - you either need a mentor-type person or a very clean open source project to study.

[1]: http://google-styleguide.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/cppguide.x...

[aboodman]

V8 mostly follows it: http://code.google.com/p/v8/wiki/Contributing