Thread: ISO or C++/CLI?

Hi,
I want to start learning C++. I'm using the book "Ivor Hortons Beginning Visual C++" to learn. It first teaches command line C++, then proceeds on with the GUIs.

I have a few questions:
1. Does anyone know if this is a good book?
2. (important question) The book teaches both native C++ (ISO) and C++/CLI. Since C++/CLI is an improved version of ISO C++, in every chapter it teaches ISO then C++/CLI. Should I go for C++/CLI? From what I read in the book I understand that it is portable (you don't even have to recompile the code) since it runs in the CLR. It also eases GUI programming by using Windows Forms.
However, I'm afraid I won't have that much support (e.g. from this community) and that it is not used a lot.

So, what do you think?

Originally Posted by Abda92

I understand that it is portable (you don't even have to recompile the code) since it runs in the CLR. It also eases GUI programming by using Windows Forms.

I guess theoretically it could be portable, but I've never heard of a non-Windows .NET platform.

Besides, have you looked at the C++ .NET syntax. YUK!
I think if you want to learn .NET, then C# would be much better to use.

Originally Posted by cpjust

I guess theoretically it could be portable, but I've never heard of a non-Windows .NET platform.

There's a Project Mono, attempting to make .NET available on other platforms (I've seen it running on Linux).

I'd also recommend going for C# when it's about .NET and sticking to native C++ otherwise.

Cheers,
~

I don't own this book, but, I've heard of it and I have an opinion!

The book is very compressed & accelerated. I don't think you'll get much "depth" in Standard C++. For example, if you were taking Computer Science in college, you would take one or two full semesters of Standard C++ before taking a GUI programming class. ANSI/ISO C++ is a complex language... You can't even find a book (other than the actual language standard) that covers all of ANSI/ISO C++ !

Learning Standard C++ first, is the traditional more "structured" approach. It helps you build a foundation. You will need Standard C++ to make your program "do something" useful.

But, if you want to get into GUI programming right away, the Horton book is probably your best option (unless you want to go with java or Visual Basic). Just be aware that you might need to go-back and dig-into the C++ basics.

However, I'm afraid I won't have that much support (e.g. from this community) and that it is not used a lot.

The C++ forum is mostly about ANSI/ISO C++. But, it's OK to discuss non-standard C++ libraries as long as you mention what library/compiler you are using. And, there is a cprogramming.com Windows Forum for Windows-specific issues. ...You might get harassed a bit (on either forum) for asking "beginning questions", while trying to write a GUI program, because most people will expect you to learn C++ first. ...It's really hard to help someone with their GUI program if they don't know how to make a loop, or how to use pointers, etc.

OK thanks everyone. I guess I'll just start with standard C++ first. If I ever want to program GUIs for Windows I'll just have to use one of the libraries (I'll have to look into that once I get to it).

What I understood from some of your replies is that this book is not the best for teaching standard C++. Any suggestions for other books?
Please note that I do know some C (but not too much) so I have the basic syntax and all the basic stuff covered. However, I have no idea about object oriented programming (I know what it means but I've never learned it).

Thanks for your help.

See the stickied C++ book recommendations thread. Accelerated C++ by Koenig and Moo is my recommendation.

Oh ya sorry. Forgot there's a sticky for that.