Most effective way to learn C++?

Hey Guys,

I'm trying to relearn C++. I made some very basic programs with it a few years ago but I don't remember much so i'd prefer something that is geared towards beginners.

My question is what do you guys think the most effective way to learn it is? Book? Web resource? Video tutorials?

The second part of the question is what do you recommend? So if you say book please list a title (or titles).


I looked on Amazon for C++ Beginner books and I saw a fair amount (~$10-$30). Are there certain publication dates I should stay away from? For instance, some came out in the early 2000's (2002, 2004, ect). My concern is I don't want to learn something that is already outdated. Now I know they don't do drastic changes and chances are even if there are subtle changes it will be very easy to learn them but I figure if i'm going to put out the time/effort to learn it then I might as well be up to date.


Are there any good web resources (aka tutorials) for C++?

1.Read through some standard tutorials in the internet.````````````````````````````````````````` `2. Write some small programs (GET A GOOD COMPILER) with what you've learned``````````````````````````3.Buy a nice book and read it thoroughly.`````````````````````````4.Write some *big* programs.`````````````````````5. Repeat(&learn through previous experience) steps 3 and 4 until you know when to quit.

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Originally Posted by manasij7479

4.Write some *big* programs.

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Just out of curiosity, manasij, what would you characterise as a big program?

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Originally Posted by grumpy

Just out of curiosity, manasij, what would you characterise as a big program?

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An Os :P ...(containing a graphical shell, a mature development environment, some games...etc etc etc...)

Sorry, not quite I meant. What would you consider to be the characteristics that make a program big rather than (say) small. And where do you consider is the dividing line between big and something that is "less than big"?

I myself make the demarcation .....with whether I need version control or not.

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Originally Posted by manasij7479

I myself make the demarcation .....with whether I need version control or not.

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I see. By that logic, a programmer who managed development of a "hello world" program with the help of some source code control system would then be an expert in C++.

I suggest there might be more effective ways to become proficient in C++ than that.

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Originally Posted by Sjvlsdsd

Hey Guys,

I'm trying to relearn C++. I made some very basic programs with it a few years ago but I don't remember much so i'd prefer something that is geared towards beginners.

My question is what do you guys think the most effective way to learn it is? Book? Web resource? Video tutorials?

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Get any book/tutorial you feel comfortable with, work through it page by page, compile the examples and exercises, mess with the code until you understand what does and does not work, redo as needed, move on to the next section...

You won't learn C++ by watching some dude (who probably is just as much a beginner as you!) tapping out some code on a YouTube video. When watching one tends to wander off. Passive learning does not fully engage the viewer and loss of concentration means missing parts of the lesson.

In terms of retention... video is the worst, classroom lectures (where you can at least ask a question) are better, textbook/tutorial study is slightly better, but actually sitting down and writing code is the best way...

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Originally Posted by grumpy

I see. By that logic, a programmer who managed development of a "hello world" program with the help of some source code control system would then be an expert in C++.I suggest there might be more effective ways to become proficient in C++ than that.

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I said that was how I distinguish between writing(also myself) a small program and a big one.Your interpretation of that logic is quite ridiculous. Also, you missed the word 'need' .

To the OP, see the sticky at the top of the C++ forum page.

Jump in and crash the computer a few times. Well I guess on modern OS's it won't exactly crash the computer but you can still cause BSODs while learning graphics programming. I think the best way to learn is get a few good books (not just one) and go through them. But you must write code. You cannot learn by reading alone. You must write lots of code. Then once you learn the syntactical sugar you get to learn how to apply the language to solve specific problems. As for how to become an expert in design well I will let you know when I become one b/c I'm still travelling that road.

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Originally Posted by CommonTater

You won't learn C++ by watching some dude (who probably is just as much a beginner as you!) tapping out some code on a YouTube video. When watching one tends to wander off. Passive learning does not fully engage the viewer and loss of concentration means missing parts of the lesson.

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I always laugh when I see such videos, especially when I can hear a high-pitched voice.

TBH I have read only one book about C++, written by a polish guy (so it is not listed on this forums anywhere) and haven't even completed it. But I have read tons of manuals, documentations, and specifcations (not only about C++ through) and I feel very comfortable reading them.

Exercies? Lol, I have never touched one. Well, maybe a couple for a programming contest, but these had nothing to do with the language itself.

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Originally Posted by manasij7479

I said that was how I distinguish between writing(also myself) a small program and a big one.

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And my point is defining a program as large or significant or whatever based on a subjective need for version control is somewhat ridiculous.

Anyway, as to the original question, the most effective way to learn C++ depends on your mindset.

Some people learn best through study and pondering over the nuances of theory. Some people learn best through a systematic approach of attempting to solve problems. Some people jump between the two (tackle a problem, learn theory, apply it to the problem, tackle another problem).

Two of the best developers I ever encountered were at the opposite ends of that spectrum. One spent about several months buying a range of good and bad materials about C++, and simply reading. He then installed a compiler (which he had carefully selected based on his readings) and started tackling a few problems he had identified as "interesting". The other installed a development environment, bought a single introductory text, and spent a few months just hacking. After a year or two, both these guys were pretty fair developers, despite the fact they have obviously learned in different ways. When put together on complex problems, they were actually quite an effective team.

A lot of people attempt to learn by a shotgun approach, in which they try things at random and then either claim they know everything if their attempt works or beg other people for help whenever they get in trouble. It is debatable whether such methods are effective.

In the end, it comes down to what works for the individual. The art of learning is finding what learning methods work for you.

the book of "c++ primer" ,by Lippman but a little expensive