Thread: Novice trying to learn C++

  1. #1
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    Novice trying to learn C++

    Im the kind of person that will get board when reading alot of the screen.I have tried to learn c++ for windows.But I just read the tutorials for about 2-3 days then I just quit.I know if I had a book that I can highlight,ect... I will be able to learn the language without stoping.

    Im a total novice when it comes to programing.I was woundering what book do you guys recommend for some one that wants to learn C++ for Win?

    IF possible a book that needs VC++ 6.

  2. #2
    Master of the Universe! velius's Avatar
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    Most Visual C++ Books want to teach you MFC which is a set of wrapper classes. You seem to want to learn the language. So start with the Waite Groups C++ Primier Plus and Object Oriented Programming. I started with Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days. All three are published by Sams.
    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

  3. #3
    Grammar Police HybridM's Avatar
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    Well I started off with "C++ The Complete Reference". Despite what people say about Herb Shidlt, this was an excellent book to start with, just make sure you buy another one later.
    Thor's self help tip:
    Maybe a neighbor is tossing leaf clippings on your lawn, looking at your woman, or harboring desires regarding your longboat. You enslave his children, set his house on fire. He shall not bother you again.

    OS: Windows XP
    Compiler: MSVC

  4. #4
    Master of the Universe! velius's Avatar
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    I have that book too. I like Herb's writing style myself. Anyways a really good reference book would be the C++ Master Reference. It has every thing from A to Z in it.
    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

  5. #5
    Grammar Police HybridM's Avatar
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    "The C++ Programming Language" by Bjarne Stroustrup is THE reference book to have, but be aware it's not for the faint hearted and you probably should already know the language before you read it.
    Thor's self help tip:
    Maybe a neighbor is tossing leaf clippings on your lawn, looking at your woman, or harboring desires regarding your longboat. You enslave his children, set his house on fire. He shall not bother you again.

    OS: Windows XP
    Compiler: MSVC

  6. #6
    Tha 1 Sick RAT
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    Talking

    Agree with Hybrid. The Bjarne Stroustrup book's nothing short of mental.
    Do what I did. Start with C, takes about a month or so to know just about everything then get a good book which I'm using for C++ titled: "The Complete reference C++ 4th Edition by herbert Schildt"; Very good for both especially with the practical examples. In 3 days or so you should be where I am (posting "I don't have a clue" messages in the forum).
    Hope that helps.

  7. #7
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    Question Windows & books

    ...to learn C++ for Win?
    Just in case you don't already know, writing Windows applications (programs with re-sizable windows that respond to the mouse, etc) is an advanced topic. You have to learn standard C++ first. (Graphics, mouse interaction and sound are NOT part of the ANSI/ISO C++ standard.)

    My begining book was Teach Yourself C++ In 21 Days, by Jesse Liberty. I agree with velius' recommendation. This book is structured for self-learning with questions and exercises at the end of each chapter, and answers and solutions in the back. It is easy to understand. It is about 750 pages, and most people probably don't make it through the entire book in 21 days. It's a beginning book, so you might want to get a more advanced C++ book before moving-on to Windows programming. Opinions vary... some people hate all of the "21 Days" books. Liberty's book covers standard-portable C++, so he doesn't tell you how to use any particular compiler.

    When you're ready for Windows, you can't go wrong with Programming Windows, by Charles Petzold. You don't need to know any advanced C++ to get started with Windows programming, because Petzold only covers the Windows interface... The book will show you how to make your programs "look good", not how to make them useful.
    Start with C
    Sorry WDT, but I disagree. Learning C first won't help that much, since, 99% of C is included in C++ ...And most beginning C++ books don't require that you already know C. It doesn't hurt to have a some C books in your "library". I beleive there are one or two complete C reference books. I don't know of any complete C++ reference books.
    [EDIT] - I do agree with you and HybridM about the Stroustrup book... My standard analogy is: "It's like reading a book on Brain Surgery".
    Last edited by DougDbug; 12-01-2003 at 02:01 PM.

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    Talking

    I think I will go with Sams Teach Yourself C++ then Programming Windows, Fifth Edition

    That should get me started on the right way.

  9. #9
    Code Goddess Prelude's Avatar
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    >The Bjarne Stroustrup book's nothing short of mental.
    I must be strange then, I find it well written and a joy to read.

    >Start with C
    My reaction to this was "Wha?". It's a bad idea to start with C when learning C++ because good C style is bad C++ style. You would end up having to unlearn bad C++ habits and then learn the good habits, thus taking three times longer to learn the basics of the language. This isn't to say that C is bad, just that the concepts are completely different. Learning C first will not help, and would probably hurt.

    >takes about a month or so to know just about everything
    My first reaction to this statement was "Bwahaha!". Show me a person who learned everything about C in a month and I'll show you God.

    >I was woundering what book do you guys recommend for some one that wants to learn C++ for Win?
    Learn C++ first, then C++ for Windows, that will be easier on your brain. As for C++ books, I recommend only one to start off with: "Accelerated C++" by Andrew Koenig & Barbara Moo.
    My best code is written with the delete key.

  10. #10
    Grammar Police HybridM's Avatar
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    if you think you know everything about a language, that shows how little you really do know.

    I don't know everything about the English language, but I'm OK at it.
    Thor's self help tip:
    Maybe a neighbor is tossing leaf clippings on your lawn, looking at your woman, or harboring desires regarding your longboat. You enslave his children, set his house on fire. He shall not bother you again.

    OS: Windows XP
    Compiler: MSVC

  11. #11
    Registered User axon's Avatar
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    Originally posted by Prelude
    >I recommend only one to start off with: "Accelerated C++" by Andrew Koenig & Barbara Moo.
    I agree, this book takes a bit different approach to teaching c++. I recommend getting it as a second book thought. Actually you could get the whole series from this publisher as a set, all the books there are really great.

    some entropy with that sink? entropysink.com

    there are two cardinal sins from which all others spring: Impatience and Laziness. - franz kafka

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