Teach Yourself C++ In 21 Days

[wezman2k]

hello, i recently became interested in c++ programming and i bought this book for $17 on half.com. i was just wondering what your thoughts and opinions were on it...do you think it's a good start for me? thanks

[Ray Schmidt]

wezman2k,

Most literature is good, as long as you set your own pace to understanding it. If you have any other programming experience, then you'll find it easier to learn. I believe the book that you have will teach you the basics and fundamentals. A great place to start!!! You'll either love it or hate it depending on your knowledge of other languages. One thing you will find, is that there is no shortage of people (here) who love to help others such as yourself. Just make sure you give it a good shot before asking questions... The best of luck, and I hope that you stick with it.

Ray Schmidt

[Karok]

I think it really depends on the way that you learn. Personally I learn much better in a structured environment, so I prefer books that are closer to reference books and then have someone teach me methods for programming. You might be different. Some people learn very well from a book, I'm just not one of them. A couple books that I personally love and use all the time are "The Complete Reference C++" by Herbert Schildt and "C By Discovery" by L.S. Foster. I think the Foster book is the best I've ever seen for straight C programming, (which comes in very useful even when programming in C++) and I highly recommend everyone buy that particular book. IMHO.

[wezman2k]

yeah. i tried searching the forums for a topic specifically for this book so i couldn't find one. but the reason i asked is because i wanted to hear what you guys had to say. i'll continue with it...and hopefully i won't get so confused i'll give up!

right now i'm beginning "classes"

[Ejaz]

Well, the book you mentioned is nice to start with. Very easy to follow as you have seen by now, that it illustrate step by step instructions to follow.

But don't just relay on that. It will just tell you how to play with MFC, but what is the depth of it, you'll have to dive in it.

For a start you can follow that, learn the basics and then move to the some advance programming book.

Take care, have fun and welcome aboard

[PadexArt]

A good bokk that is available online is Thinking in C++

Herbert Schildt's books are also verry good and I personally love the way he writes.

Do not foget Stroustroup's bible.

[Paul McKenzie]

Originally posted by PadexArt
Herbert Schildt's books are also verry good and I personally love the way he writes.

Too bad he gets so many basic things wrong. I don't recommend his books to would-be C++ programmers due to the many mistakes and misconceptions in his books.

I'm not the only one saying this. Many C++ programmers are well aware of Schildt's books and do not recommend them.

http://www.accu.org/bookreviews/publ...iews/0au/s.htm

Look for H. Schildt. Not one of his books are in the "Recommended" category.

Regards,

Paul McKenzie

[PadexArt]

Well I personally like it when I've first read it ( ~8 years ago). But perhaps you are right.

Nevertheless the sytle in which the book is written is very pleasant. The same joy of reading I felt only when reading Scott Meyers books later.

[mwilliamson]

I don't think this book teaches C++. It shows you MFC but already assumes you know how C++ works. If you have never programmed in C++ before, I question what kind of knowledge you will end up with after reading this book. If you want to learn MFC, I think its a good resource.

[Paul McKenzie]

Originally posted by Karok
A couple books that I personally love and use all the time are "The Complete Reference C++" by Herbert Schildt

Check the review here:

http://www.accu.org/cgi-bin/accu/rvo...file=cp000413a

Especially read the last paragraph of this review.

Schildt books are very easy to sell to the beginning programmer, since the fancy words and the hyperbole on the front of his books entice such programmers, but his books are full of mistakes and have just plain wrong information. It makes me believe that his books are not peer-reviewed at all before they make print.

In the FAQ, there are no Schildt books mentioned, and for good reason.

Regards,

Paul McKenzie

[JonnoA]

I assume the author is Jesse Liberty and that this focuses on just C++, no mention of MFC... In which case this is a GREAT book to start with. I think one of the best c++ starter books.

Don't bother with the MFC version of this book, Teach yourself VISUAL c++ in 21 days - these are awful.

There are so many books out there, You are right to ask for advice - you can waste alot of time with a poorly written book.