Beginer has outdated programs & questions

I bought 2 learning kits years ago, they are actually versions for windows 95, NT and 3.1. They are from SAMS publishing Teach yourself C, C and C++ made easy and Visual C++ made easy both came with books and software. My 1st ? would it be risky to try and install them in the 1st place with them being that old, would there be compatibility issues? My laptop running XP Pro and 2nd ? are they so out dated that I would be hurting myself in the long run trying to learn from them. Sorry for such a long drawn out request especially when I don't even know if the product codes will work.
Thanks for your patience
Randyk

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Originally Posted by Randyk

I bought 2 learning kits years ago, they are actually versions for windows 95, NT and 3.1. They are from SAMS publishing Teach yourself C, C and C++ made easy and Visual C++ made easy both came with books and software. My 1st ? would it be risky to try and install them in the 1st place with them being that old, would there be compatibility issues? My laptop running XP Pro and 2nd ? are they so out dated that I would be hurting myself in the long run trying to learn from them. Sorry for such a long drawn out request especially when I don't even know if the product codes will work.
Thanks for your patience
Randyk

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Well, you can get the latest tools for free on the web.
Gather a basic knowledge about modern C++ from online tutorials.
After that turn..turn to your *old* books...taking in only parts which you *can* use.
(Then get another good book..like..Accelerated C++....and you'll be able to understand why it is preferable to skip learning C++ instead of C with classes..) ...You should..skip step 3 if you can, though.

Modern compilers to choose from.
Free Developer Tools - Visual Studio 2010 Express | Microsoft Visual Studio
smorgasbordet - Pelles C
Code::Blocks

If you've got the patience and space, install all of them.
If your code works the same on three different compilers, then you're on pretty solid ground.

Modern book list for learning C++.
http://rudbek.com/books.html

Thanks for your replies, I found out I have Visual Studio 2008 Standard installed already and i installed code blocks. trying to use the book I have is a little trying. Can't tell if I'm executing exercise right answers are all on CD and I can't find the appendix on the cd so I'll start here and see where it goes

Thanks
Randyk

I recommend minimum Visual Studio 2010 (if you use Visual Studio).
Or you can use latest Code::Blocks with MinGW.
That lets you use some of the newest features in C++11.