I've heard Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example is good. Is it the best, and are there any other books I might want to get?
I've heard Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example is good. Is it the best, and are there any other books I might want to get?
How much experience do you have?
I don't think you could name any single book the best, especially since there are different levels of C++ books. But Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example is definitely top three of the best books to learn the basics from. Another choice would be C++ Primer Plus: 5th Edition or Game Programming in C++. Personally I think I've seen Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example the best rated, recommended, and would probably be the highest in a poll.
Once you do away with a beginner book or two, it would be a good idea to move onto The C++ Programming Language (not for beginners).
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In my opinion, anything you get will probably be better than your Dummies one.
Last edited by dwks; 12-06-2005 at 12:27 PM. Reason: silly 'u' key wasn't working
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Last edited by prog-bman; 12-06-2005 at 12:22 PM.
Woop?
Search the forum for "books". You'll find lots of discussion, mostly regarding beginning books.
My beginning book was Teach Yourself C++ In 21 Days, by Jesse Liberty. It’s easy to understand and well organized for self-study with questions & exercises at the end of each “day” (chapter) and answers & solutions in the back. WARNING – This book is controversial… some people hate it!
On the other hand, I’ve NEVER read anything negative about Accelerated C++.
Haha, my first book was Teach Yourself C++ In 21 Days too. It was the 2nd ed. though. I'd like to clear up my opinion on the book, even though no one cares, since when I was new I thought it was good, and stated that on these forums. I don't like its long-winded approach to teaching a concept and its overly-developed source code (that force you to never skip around, even though I didnt try). It was very bad, especially compared to the three I listed in my last post, and I don't recommend it. The 5th ed. is out though, by Jesse again, and is still getting bad ratings - well.. 3/5 is better than 1/5 on the older versions. I see no point in getting it ($15 more for a great book is worth it).
Warning: Have doubt in anything I post.
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The guy who updated the 21 days book for the latest edition runs the codeguru site which is full of people who stress the importance of proper C++ technique. It is my impression that he would prefer future editions of that book to be closer to the Accelerated C++ style of teaching C++ instead of C, so I wouldn't be surprised if it eventually becomes a good alternative for those who aren't "accelerated".
i heard teach yourself C++ in 21 days was good
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I've looked at it, and in my opinion it's probably too difficult for 90% of beginning programmers. However, it's a fairly short book, so you won't have invested too much time if it turns out it doesn't work for you.I've heard Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example is good.
An easier book is "C++: A Beginner's Guide".
Last edited by 7stud; 12-06-2005 at 06:23 PM.
7stud, would you say you learned your good C++ technique and knowledge from that book or from internet forums like this one? My guess is that you've learned a lot of new things about C++ since finishing that book. For example, you smartly advise new C++ students to use the C++ string class when first learning. Isn't that not what Schildt's book teaches? Looking on amazon shows that vectors isn't even in the index.
I agree that there isn't an agreed-upon best choice (or maybe even any good options) for beginner level C++ book teaching C++ techniques, but in the absence of one I'd suggest the slightly more difficult but better book over the easier one.
I like using C++ How to program by Deitel & Deitel
Sorry, should have searched first , this is probably asked often, but thanks for all your replys anyway. I'm pretty much a complete beginner, learned how to write my first "Hello world" program a few weeks ago. C++ is quickly becoming very time consuming and addictive . The only programing class I could take (and am taking) only deals with microsoft visual basic.
I learned beginning C++ from "Ivor Horton's Beginning C++", which I also think is probably too difficult for 90% of beginnning programmers. However, I subsequently tried to learn Java with Ivor Horton's "Beginning Java 2", and I found it was too difficult for me. A couple of years later I read "Java 2: A Beginner's Guide" which is by the same author as "C++: A Beginner's Guide" and I was impressed by how good the book was.My guess is that you've learned a lot of new things about C++ since finishing that book.
The problem with languages like C++ and Java is that there is so much to learn, the 1,000 page beginning books are too daunting. I am starting to be of the opinion that shorter and easier books are the way to go for beginners.
Both, but I think forums are really invaluable for learning computer programming.would you say you learned your good C++ technique and knowledge from that book or from internet forums like this one?
It doesn't surprise me that he doesn't cover vectors. I think it's too bad that the inventors of the STL even chose the name "vector". I think most beginners are going to be uneasy with the name alone. What's a "vector"?Isn't that not what Schildt's book teaches? Looking on amazon shows that vectors isn't even in the index.
I think Accelerated C++'s approach to teaching C++ is unique and interesting, but I just don't think most beginner's are going to understand it.
Last edited by 7stud; 12-06-2005 at 07:55 PM.
Then why do you (IMO correctly) advise beginners to use C++ tools like string and vector? Accelerated C++ is unique only because the other books are outdated or written by people who aren't C++ experts (like Schildt). I would love to see an easier to understand beginners book that teaches C++ properly, but does one exist?
Until that question is answered, advising beginners to use books like Schildt's that do not teach C++ style C++ is counter-productive, again IMHO.