c++ books

Is c++ for dummies a good book? What about the extended version? My mom said she found a c++ for dummies with seven books in one or something like that. Anyone know what I'm talking about? If so, is it any good?

My Opinion:

One thing that i didn't like about c++ for dummies is that i think they use .h headers.. as well as a header called something like, <PzHArgs> or something like that.. which i think is just a specific library included by the author. (at the time, I thought this was a standard library and I was including it on my CS1 assignments) Other than that it looked like an ok enough book to learn the c++ basics.

C++ For Dummies contains several mistakes and is negligent in following the current standards, but if you know what the errors in the book are, then it's a decent book from what I've heard.

It is at this point that I must once again shamelessly pimp Accelerated C++. As far as learning C++ there are none better. It doesn't handle things like how to use your compiler but as far as the language goes it clearly has the best aproach. I wish I had learned from this book first, I still have way to many bad habits.

I use the Sam's Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days Book. It is a great reference as well as tutorial type book.

PS-Ihave heard the C++ for Dummies book is not so great :(

Good Luck!

Here's a couple really worth looking at...

C++ How to Program - by Deitel. One of the most widely used textbooks in most schools. Very easy and informative reading. Great projects and tutorials. And also has a solid approach to UML and OOD.

SAMS - C++ Primer Plus. A solid straightforward approach to the ansi standard C++.

Both are very good. However typically I refer people to the Deitel book since it's approach to understanding pointers is much more solid.

Since I'm new to this and I have no programming background I need a book that starts from the VERY BASICS(I don't consider the tutorials on this site basic) and work gradualy upward.

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Here's a couple really worth looking at...

C++ How to Program - by Deitel. One of the most widely used textbooks in most schools. Very easy and informative reading. Great projects and tutorials. And also has a solid approach to UML and OOD.

SAMS - C++ Primer Plus. A solid straightforward approach to the ansi standard C++.

Both are very good. However typically I refer people to the Deitel book since it's approach to understanding pointers is much more solid.

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That Deitel book is now coming out on its 5th ed and has more changes to it. We instructors like this

Those are two of my top 5 choices. Here are the other three

Absolute C++, Savitch

Beginning C++, Horton

and
Object Oriented Programming in C++, Lafore

it use sams c++ in 21 days, i think it's ok, but obviously some people don't and one person gave me a bad rating for even mentioning it

I don't own For Dummies, but there is a (negative) review on the little book review page here at cprogramming.com.

Just about any book is going to contain more information / detail than most tutorials. (For Dummies is about 400 pages.) So, if your mom is getting a good deal... go for it! If you stick-with C++ you're going to need more than one book anyway... although you may not need more than one beginning book.

If you search this board for "books", you'll find more recommendations.

Some (redundant) recommendations -
Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days, by Jesse Liberty
This was my beginning book, and I liked it because it was easy to understand, and it is well structured for self-study with questions/exercises at the end of each "day" (chapter) and answers/solutions in the back.

I agree with Junior89, I was surprised to find it is a handy reference book. When I need to look something up, this is the book I usually grab first! It's not a complete reference... but if the information is in there, it will be easy to find, and easy to understand.

I always include a WARNING - Some people hate all of the 21 Days books!

Accelerated C++, By Koenig & Moo
This is a second-hand recommendation. :) I don't own it, but is often recommended, and I've never read anythng negative about it.

thanks guys