I'm a newbie...again. Need help on starting over.

A year or so back I bought a couple books on programming in C and I had a really hard time grasping the concepts because I just didn't understand the way the books explained it. For a year now I have't really studied anything on programming. I want to start learning C++ this summer but needed some help on what the best book for a person in my situation would be. I was thinking about C++ in 21 days because a friend of mine got it and he learned a lot from it. I was also thinking about shelling over $75.00 for "C++ How to Program" by Paul and Harvey Deitel because I have heard that it was a great recourse. But I am stuck. I am going to Miami-Dade Community College to get an associates in Computer programming before I head of to a university. I wanted to get a head start so I won't be bored over the summer. What do you experts out there reccomend. I am getting kind of discouraged because I want to have a resource that keeps me as interested as I am when learning.

BTW, the book I am talking about can be seen at http:// search.barnesandnoble.com/textbooks/booksearch/ isbninquiry.asp?userid=2B8GVAJH6R&isbn=0130895717

BTW, I'm a friend of elchulo2002, I graduated with him. He might have been important, I don't know, but you know how the whole assosiation thing goes

Well I'm no expert (more like an intermediate) I highly recommend any of the following:

1) The C++ Programming Language by B. Stroustrup (if your courses cover C++, there's a good chance they will recommend this too)
2) C++ Primer by S. Lippman
and if you want a GREAT Windows API book....
3) Programming Windows by C. Petzold

although all three of those books assume basic knowledge of C++..... the first book I got when I decided to get into C++ was "C++ Primer", and at first it seemed way out of my league, but I was determined, I looked up things I did not know, and over the course of 2 months I finished the entire book, and had a very well-rooted understanding of C++, which helped tremendously when I picked up other books and courses..... so what I'm saying is, don't be afraid to pick up an intermediate book and force the knowledge in your head... if it sits long enough, it will click..... be determined and you'll learn fast, and when you teach yourself, it will add a great deal of pride to your ego as well.......

I don't know, but my programming teacher recommends “The C++ Programming Language” by B. Stroustrup as well. I've flipped through it a couple of times and it looks pretty good. But whatever you do, do not get "A Guide To Programming In C++" by Lawrenceville Press. It's just a sad excuse for a textbook. I don't know what my school was thinking when the bought them. Good luck.

SO "The C++ programming language" is reccomended for people with basic programming knowledge. Though I did study C, i don't remember it and am wondering if I should still get this?

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1) The C++ Programming Language by B. Stroustrup (if your courses cover C++, there's a good chance they will recommend this too)
2) C++ Primer by S. Lippman
and if you want a GREAT Windows API book....
3) Programming Windows by C. Petzold

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All of the books are for intermediate programmers. If you're new to c++, then get a more basic book. Deitel is fine, but if you don't have any programming background, then go get some 21 days stuff then buy Deitel. You can also check the tutorials in the net and then buy some intermediate books.

The C++ Programming Language assumes you know the language and goes into detail and depth. I reccomend you read C++ in 21 days. It is free on the internet and is a good introduction. Also, you can find Thinking in C++ on www.bruceeckel.com or something like that.

Those should give you a descent introduction to the language.

Programming C++ for dummies

C++ the complete reference by Herb Schildt teaches C/C++ and then the back of the book is a complete reference (imagine that) ;)

I keep it by me at all times if i forget how to use a certain feature of the language (from int to RTTI to a overview of the STL)

Hey Indigo what's up, nice to see you in these forums.....well I decided to stay away from some boards here for some stupid reason... Anyways I rarely visit the C++ forums nowadays unless I need a question answered or something, or just to pick up some "tricks" from the experts programmers here. Also I am doing some Win32 and DirectX so I was hanging out on some other boards more than here......(Meaning Win board and whatnot). Anyways here's what I did to beging programming, ok you introduced me to C back in the days, I bought Teach Yourself C in 24 hours, my opinion is unless you already know another language don't buy this book. Bad idea for me (although I didn't really hang around here in this board which helped me alot), anyhow the book that I found has helped me the most was Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days by Jesse Liberty (in C++ I mean). If you have any trouble with it ( I know you will that's the way it goes with people and books sometimes, I know I did), you know where to reach me. BTW although I read the book I still have to look back and refresh my mind on some subjects, but that's the way it goes when you're a newbie. I am still in the process of learning C++, but as many programmers have told me you can never REALLY learn the entire C++ language. So I still read this book, from time to time, people tell me that this book also makes a great reference book and I agree. Let me tell you from now the tutorial on Linked Lists from this guy is not the greatest, neither is the one on Streams. But all in all the book is a good book. BTW nice to see you're entering the world of programming :D .

oh indigo BTW your link to the book doesn't work.

I have the Deitel book (actually, two of them C and C++) and I'm not terribly fond of them. While they're OK, and chocked full of info, they're WAY too expensive for what you get.

Honestly, the dummies books are some of the best resources I've ever found for beginners. They hardly ever go far, but it will without a doubt get you started.

Listen to your friend elchulo2002, hes write that book is great. I am also learning from it, i started yesterday and It really helps out a lot. I even made my own hello world program found in my sig. HEHE i learned a lot from only 3 days of programming. :D

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Originally posted by Musicdip
Listen to your friend elchulo2002, hes write that book is great. I am also learning from it, i started yesterday and It really helps out a lot. I even made my own hello world program found in my sig. HEHE i learned a lot from only 3 days of programming. :D

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lol That's one of the most unique signatures I've ever seen, must I've got to ask, why is your .exe so big?

HEHE i dont know why the EXE is big I use Visual C++ 6.0 maybe they add some extra stuff to it, not sure

Uh I misread I thought it was more than 100 something Ks and also I was thinking about .cpp files not .exe........