Thread: C++ Books

  1. #1
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    C++ Books

    I have decided to teach myself C++.
    The tutorials on this site are quite informative.
    But, there is something I still hinder for... a book.

    Do any of you know what a good book to start learning C++ on your own would be?

    I hear Sam's Teach Yourself C++ in (whatever amount of days) has a good one... but im not sure, and neither was the person who recommended it. Thanks in advance.


    Oh and one more question... does C++ have a GUI? I've compiled and run some n00b proggies from the first lessons... but do I eventually have the opportunity to implement some graphics? It just seems a bit dull in DOS.
    Decode the coded.

  2. #2
    Pursuing knowledge confuted's Avatar
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    SAMS books are not good.

    http://cboard.cprogramming.com/searc...der=descending

    I'm not answering this again.
    Away.

  3. #3
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    From another person learning

    I am also trying to teach myself C++, here are some things that I have learned.

    First, nothing will make people on bulletin boards more upset than someone posting questions which have been answered multiple times already.

    Second, the library is a great place to find books. That way you can see if you like the book before you buy it. Sometimes it is hard to find real up to date books that are not checked out, but it is worth a shot.

    Also, you can write almost any kind of program with C++. Programming window applications in C++ is somewhat involved and it seems best to me to have a fairly good understanding of C++ before taking on Window Applications.

    Stick with it, and good luck.

  4. #4
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    I've heard C++ Primer 3rd Edition is an awesome book. I'm getting it soon for myself.

    Sigh, nothing ever works the first try.

    Register Linux User #314127

  5. #5
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    I buy a lot of books from Edward R. Hamilton, bookseller.
    You can get the address from a google search. They sell overstocked and recently discontinued books. Can get them real
    cheap. I've built up my own mini-library of computer books, mostly from their catalog. Their printed catalog is better than their website, in my opinion.

  6. #6
    Comment your source code! Lynux-Penguin's Avatar
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    Ok, I REALLY liked Ivor Horton's Begining C++: The Complete Language it will definately get you on your way.

    The only thing it didn't cover was Binary Trees and I really wish it had because the author did such a good job of explaining everything else.

    -LC
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  7. #7
    Registered User FloatingPoint's Avatar
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    I've been using Walter Savitch's Problem Solving w/ C++ : The Object of Programming Second Ed.

    I think it's quite ok for beginners like me.
    Come cast your shadow over me
    and I'll cast mine all over thee
    Take me away, into the shades
    where there is no light of day

  8. #8
    Master of the Universe! velius's Avatar
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    I've read Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 21 days by Jesse Liberty and Sams C++ Unleashed by Jesse Liberty, and these two books are very good. I also read the Waite Group's C++ Primer Plus and Object Orient Programming with C++, these two are also great books. I also have the Standard Template Library book by the guys who created it. That one is very advanced. I even have book called Algorithims in C++ Volume 1 to 4.
    While you're breakin' down my back n'
    I been rackin' out my brain
    It don't matter how we make it
    'Cause it always ends the same
    You can push it for more mileage
    But your flaps r' wearin' thin
    And I could sleep on it 'til mornin'
    But this nightmare never ends
    Don't forget to call my lawyers
    With ridiculous demands
    An you can take the pity so far
    But it's more than I can stand
    'Cause this couchtrip's gettin' older
    Tell me how long has it been
    'Cause 5 years is forever
    An you haven't grown up yet
    -- You Could Be Mine - Guns N' Roses

  9. #9
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    I also recommend Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days, by Jesse Liberty. It is clearly written, and easy to understand. I liked the questions & exercises at the end of each "day" (chapter), with answers and solutions in the back. This helped me structure my studying, and gave me a way of knowing if I was really "getting it". It also turned-out to be a handy reference book. When I need to look something up, I look there first, because if the answer is in there, it will be easy to find and easy to understand. This is a beginning book, and there is lots more to learn, but it will give you a good start.

    I know that some people seem to really hate all of the Sams books and/or all of the "21 Days" books, so try to find a copy to look at before you buy it.

    If C++ is your first language, and if you type-in all of the examples (you can download them.), you probably won't make it through all 750 pages in 21 days.

    As savageag said, Windows programming is an advanced topic. First, you have to at-least learn the basic syntax, variables, structures, loops, switch-statements, if-statements, etc. The "Windows part" is almost a different topic, from the core C++ language... You learn the Windows stuff to make a good user interface. You use the standard C++ stuff to make your program do something useful.

    I don't have Ivor Horton's book, but I understand that he does get into Windows programming rather quickly. I think he also covers how to use the Visual C++ compiler, which is a plus... it can be a pain getting a compiler set-up, configured, and working the first time. A lot of readers seem to got lost when Horton gets into bitwise operations in chapter two. If you don't have experience with binary numbers and boolean logic, you can skip-over that stuff 'till you're ready.
    EDIT
    Oops... The above comments refer to Beginning Visual C++ by Ivor Horton... That's not the one Lynux-Penguin recommended.
    Last edited by DougDbug; 10-06-2003 at 03:05 PM.

  10. #10
    ¡Amo fútbol!
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    Originally posted by confuted
    SAMS books are not good.

    http://cboard.cprogramming.com/searc...der=descending

    I'm not answering this again.
    Then don't answer it and don't post. Stop being an idiot.

  11. #11
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    I also recommend Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days, by Jesse Liberty
    I have a code which stops life!

  12. #12
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    Hey LC,

    Thanks for that info, that C ref card is great!

  13. #13
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    or if your cheap like me.
    www.maththinking.com/boat/computerbooks.html

    check under languages i believe.
    C++ Rules!!!!
    ------------
    Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Enterprise

  14. #14
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    Wow, gamer4life, what a great reference. I just spent an hr on that site. You folks sure come up with some interesting reference sites. Thanks!

  15. #15
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    got this from someone here a long time ago. thought id share the wealth.

    OPEN SOURCE RULES
    C++ Rules!!!!
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