C++ Primer Plus 1st Edition

**summit45** · 08-30-2013

Ok, so I picked up the book noted in the thread title in a bookstore, because it was there, and only about eight bucks. It's from 1991, so I know it's outdated, but the writing style was very nice, and I figured I could learn about any newer language features without too much trouble after learning the basics.

However, I'm noticing in the contents now that this book, for instance, as far as I can see, doesn't seem to tell about working with audio I/O. There's nothing special about audio I/O, except that I thought of it, and decided to check if it was in the book, and it wasn't.

So what I'm asking is, if anybody knows, is this book good, or did I waste my money?

Of course I'm just going off the contents here, but it seems like there's quite a lot of writing (nearly 650 pages) about not so much information. Maybe I'm wrong.

Anyway, does anyone have any thoughts?

-summit45

**Elysia** · 08-30-2013

C++ Primer Plus is a bad book.
I'd use this list for recommended books: C++ Book Recommendations
You're not likely to find a beginner's book that covers audio I/O, simply because it's not built-in to the standard. You're going to have to use some 3rd party library and learn that.

**summit45** · 08-30-2013

I also just noticed that I don't believe there's anything in here about GUIs! So I'll read almost 650 pages on C++ and not get past command line programs? o_O

-summit45

**Elysia** · 08-30-2013

GUI is another part that's not built-in in the standard, so once again, you are going to have to use a 3rd party library and learn that. Some people like Qt.

**summit45** · 08-30-2013

Well, there was one other C++ book at that store, from 2000. It was written more like a textbook - I picked Primer Plus because of the easier-to-read writing style. It doesn't shut down your brain with long, slow, constant technical talk. I can't remember the title of the other one, but do you think this book is SO bad that basically anything is better, and I should see if the store will trade me?

-summit45

**Elysia** · 08-30-2013

Originally Posted by summit45

I can't remember the title of the other one, but do you think this book is SO bad that basically anything is better, and I should see if the store will trade me?

If the other book is a "bad book," then no.
If it's a recommended book, then yes, I do.
But I can't be sure if the other book is good or bad. I only know that C++ Primer Plus is a bad book.
The one thing I can say for sure is that you it won't do you any good to read the C++ Primer book.

**summit45** · 08-30-2013

Originally Posted by Elysia

The one thing I can say for sure is that you it won't do you any good to read the C++ Primer book.

What is it that makes C++ Primer Plus so bad, if you don't mind elaborating?

-summit45

**Elysia** · 08-30-2013

Basically,

And that gives us the vital clue. This is an old fashioned book based on learning C++ based on C. OK so let me put aside my prejudices and try to assess this book on that basis.

It brings forward the C aspects of C++ and teaches that, ignoring the actual powerful prospects of C++ until much, much later. Why bother learning C++ if you're still going to be using C? If you're going to use C++, then why not take full advantage of the language from the beginning? That sort of thinking is precisely what the author has decided not to do, among other things.

Here are links to reviews for the book:
ACCU :: Book Reviews Search
ACCU :: Book Reviews Search

**whiteflags** · 09-09-2013

Weren't later editions better? I swear you were ok with one, but I forget which one it was.

**Elysia** · 09-09-2013

There is C++ Primer Plus, which is bad, and
there is C++ Primer, which is good. I tend to recommend this one, among others. Linky.
I don't know why they have so similar names.

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