Thread: C++ Primer Plus

Hello Everyone,
I am new to C++ and I am thinking of buying C++ Primer Plus by Stephen Prata. Could someone please tell me what they think of it.

Amazon has some reviews here.

I would prefer one of these three books instead:

• Accelerated C++ by Koenig and Moo (slightly accelerated C++ introduction)
• You Can Do It by Glassborow (C++ introduction for programming beginners)
• C++ Primer 4th Edition or later by Lippman LaJoie and Moo (different than Prata's C++ Primer Plus).

I would not recommend C++ Primer Plus by Prata because simply by looking through the index on that amazon link you can see that it teaches C style C++. Such concepts are outdated and are generally bad habits to learn when studying C++. If possible it would be wiser to choose a book that teaches modern C++ such as the ones I listed above.

I have found it very helpful when learning C++. But as laserlight mentions I am still wet behind the ears, and Prata's book is the only one about C++ that I've read so I have nothing to compare it with.

I recon that it may be better to buy a book written specifically for beginners. Prata's book is actually aimed at people with previous C or other programming experience.

Hi everyone I decided to buy Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days 5th Edition because I it sounds like its a good book for someone who is just starting. when I'm done that I think I'll try some of the other books you recommended.
Thanks for your recommendations.

What happened to the C++ Primer 4th edition you said you were going to get in the last post?

I have basically the same issue with the 21 days book as I did with C++ Primer Plus.

I thought I would get the 21 days book because I thought it would be better for someone who is an absolute beginner. I think I'm going to order C++ Primer 4th edition when I'm done this book.


Why what problems are there with this book???

Originally Posted by Daved

The same as for C++ Primer Plus (by Prata). It appears to teach old or C style C++, so you'll learn some habits that you will want to break later on. Reading C++ Primer (by Lippman et al.) afterwards is a good way to overcome that, but I would prefer to find a book that teaches the good habits from the beginning. You Can Do It! is the book I would pick for complete beginners.

Note that my recommendations are based on which books teach good information, not which books are easiest to follow or have exercises or any other features you might like in a learning book. IMO, the content being correct and up-to-date is the most important thing.

Thanks for letting me know. I went to the website I bought the book from and requested my order to be canceled, and if they can't cancel it ill return it when it arrives.

I think ill order you Can Do It! by Francis Glassborow.

Let us know how you like whichever book(s) you end up getting. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Daved

Let us know how you like whichever book(s) you end up getting. Good luck.

Ok I will. Thank you for your help everyone.