Teach yourself...

I think I will buy "teach yourself C++ in 21 days". What are your opinions? I've heard it jumps straight into OOC without easing you in. Is this true? Lastly whats the difference between that one and the visual c++ one?


Thanks,
Ben

Sorry for the double post but I see things like this:-

http://newdata.box.sk/bx/c/

Is it the same book and is it legal?

Thanks,
Ben

You can find lots of opinions on this book by searching the forum. I personally would not recommend it because it doesn't teach modern C++ techniques from the beginning. There are several other books that do which would probably be better (Accelerated C++, You Can Do It!, C++ Primer and others).

Even if it jumps straight into OOP, that is probably not a bad thing. A large part of C++ is its object-oriented nature, and it makes little sense to learn stuff that you shouldn't be using.

The Visual C++ one likely focuses on specific coding with Microsoft's Visual C++ IDE. It likely focuses on Microsoft specific technologies like Windows programming or .NET (I'm not sure about this). The regular C++ book focuses on the language itself and teaches code that should work on any compiler.

BTW, the guy who did the editing and updating for the latest version of Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days runs another programming forum, and is aware of the criticism of that book. I wouldn't be surprised if a future version addresses the issue I raised above.

>> Is it the same book and is it legal?
It looks like an earlier version of the book, and I highly doubt it is legal. It teaches outdated C++, so you're better off not using it, anyway. If you want a free, legal C++ book, look up Thinking in C++ by Bruce Eckel.

Well, instead of buying a book so could you start learning yourself PHP to get the basic syntax too, meanwhile getting some HTML skills :).

Or so could you just Google: c++ reference and c++ tutorial. It makes wonders :).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChJees

Well, instead of buying a book so could you start learning yourself PHP to get the basic syntax too, meanwhile getting some HTML skills :).

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I think he's looking to learn C++, not PHP. Stick to one language at a time, instead of over-burdening yourself with multiple languages simultaneously.

Thanks for all the replies, anyways. Do the ones you suggest apply to someone going from a little past not knowing cout - to wherever it could take me. If you could suggest one of the books which teaches techniques not outdated explains concepts such as OOP in a way simple and easy to understand which would it be.

Thanks,
Ben

edit: Note I'm 14 and don't really want to buy lots of books at once. Thats why I would like 1 good one I can graffiti and understand. :)

Consider buying one of the books that Daved suggested (Accelerated C++, You Can Do It!, C++ Primer (not plus) ). If you have problems, come back here and ask them.

So which of those do you think out of those would be better?
Or are they all good choices?

Accelerated C++ is probably the hardest. Aside from that, they should all be good choices, and which one is best probably depends on personal preference.

Sorry to go off topic, but I'm not quite sure as to the purpose of classes. All I see is a couple of variables being declared in a separate block of code. Could someone explain it to me please?

Thanks,
Ben

edit: Also I'm not sure on the destructor constructor stuff.

If it's off-topic, start a new thread. But you should search the forum first.

>> Note I'm 14 and don't really want to buy lots of books at once. Thats why I would like 1 good one I can graffiti and understand.

If you're 14, I would pick You Can Do It! by Francis Glassborow.