C++ How to Program (3rd Edition)

Rating:
Summary: A great Book!
Review: I have only read up to chapter five of this great programming, very important starting guide for every new programmer to the field... I recommend beginners to start with this book and they will accelerate soon, We use it as a guide in our undergraduate studies here in the faculty of computer and information science, Cairo, Egypt.

But I had a simple comment : There was a simple error : which is located in the line number 13 of figure 4.15 page 261, where the following characters are written: "ssss". So far I think they have nothing to do with the program...

Best regards

Rating:
Summary: Reference, Yes! Training, No!
Review: This book is being marketed in two different forms. The first is the book by itself and the second is as an interactive training course complete with an introductory copy of Visual C++ and an interactive CD. As an interactive training course it is a complete loser because the book doesn't even begin to acquaint the reader with the development environment. There is no bridge made between the C++ programming language and Visual C++. The interactive CD is just the book on CD with pop ups. Once you've had enough and decide to say goodbye to that, the uninstall procedure still leaves parts on your system. The introductory edition of Visual C++ will not compile programs that can be exported. After 2 days it too was a throw away.

The book by itself is probably best suited for a reference, but only after other resources are utilized to get a grip on the basics of the C++ programming language. It is very detailed which is an assett AFTER the primary concepts are understood but a detriment before. This book conveys a logical approach and some great ideas for program development that are apart from the C++ programming language. It simplifies the process of conceptualizing what a program will do, thereby simplifying the development phase.

Bottom line: If you're considering "The Complete C++ Training Course" with interactive CD and Visual C++ introductory edition (which includes this book) as a way to get immersed in the C++ programming language and get familiar with a compiler, you are likely to be very disappointed.

If you are already acquainted with C++ and need a source for clarification, the book may serve your needs. As a reference, however, it will likely become the most dog eared book in your collection, not because it is indispensable but because the pages are so thin. As for me, if I had it to do over again, this one would stay on the shelf. The value just isn't there.

My background: (which is the backdrop for this opinion) Familiarity with Visual Basic, QBasic and Assembly as it pertains to microprocessors.

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive and up-to-date
Review: I am a self-taught C++ programmer and already have quite a number of C++ books, from beginner's to advanced. Like it or not, I would say this book is the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage. Very rarely I find other books, be it beginner's or advanced that cover topics like static cast (which is essential in game programming in which I am working on now), proxy class, string and STL so well. As for the elevator simulations using Object Oriented approach, well, what can I say, they are simply superb. They are some of the examples closest to the 'real world' compare to other examples found in other books. I strongly recommend this book for any self-starter in C++.

Rating:
Summary: New Edition is Over-rated
Review: This third edition is essentially the same as the second edition by Deitel, with the exception of two changes. One being that it has a couple additional chapters and two being that it comes with a sample Microsoft Visual C++ compiler. However, be warned, this MS Visual C++ is only a sample and distribution of executables ("exes") is prohibited by the EULA (End user license agreement.) Finally, the additional chapters which are added can only be understood by the experienced C++ programmer. So, if you are just starting out, I highly suggest you save yourself some money and buy an older edition, new or used. (1st or 2nd edit.)

If you need a C++ Compiler, I suggest buying the MS Visual C++ with full rights in the EULA so one can distribute whatever programs one produces. Or, save money by downloading a free one off the Net. Your choice.

Rating:
Summary: Terrible to learn with, terrible to use as a reference
Review: 1) The examples in the book are very complicated and confusing. 2) The 'Introducing the Object Oriented Design with the UML' section is worthless. I imagine it was added as a marketing ploy. 3) The book is way to wordy, and for that reason is confusing.

I can't imagine why my instructor picked this book. Anyone who gave this book a good review must have very low expectations.

Rating:
Summary: The Devil's in the Details
Review: This book is definitely the best C++ book available. Some people have complained about the way the book is written, that is uses too many words, etc. Frankly, I'm glad the authors chose to use more words and to make sure they were being as specific as possible instead of glossing over details like most beginner texts. The examples, explained line by line, are a great help. Anyone who spends a little time with this book will get a good understanding of the language.

Rating:
Summary: Buy this book if you want to learn C++
Review: I have read, skimmed through, glanced at a lot of C++ books. This book is by far the best book I have ever read on C++. The topics are excellenct from beginner to intermediate. Most books only give pieces of code examples, but this book gives examples as entire programs and the output results. Everything from common syntax error, good engineering observations, case studies, hints and tips and in depth explaination of why and how. I really liked how the book stays focus on C++ and only touches briefly on legacy C code. If I were to add one suggestion to the code examples, it would be to use the "Try Throw Catch" Exception handeling method more through out the book other than they did in the one chapter. Other than that, great book!

Rating:
Summary: Pure Excellence
Review: I have read C++ How to program 3/e and the MFC compliment book They gave me a clear understanding of both topics and have taught me real good programming habits to get into It is a well layed out book and very thorough. By the time you finnished reading it you are quite confident in C++ and C. The real code examples are really good and compliment the topics superbly. If you are starting out in C++ or want a better understanding of it i strongly suggest you purchase this book

Rating:
Summary: What a waste of quality paper and Human Endeavor
Review: I cannot imagine why anyone did not proof read the book for grammar,readability and deadly repetitions. A third grade student could write a better prose. The authors describe "Classes", "Functions" etc that are reasonable and think on their own by making decisions and such other nonsense caused by the desire to make a quick buck. While any page or sentence can describe the neurotic sentences here is a sample: "The philosophy here is that the actual data representation used within the class is of no concern to the class clients. For example it would be perfectly reasonable for the class to represent the time internally as the number of seconds since midnight". Chapter 6 page 399

Note that the class has concern and is reasonable! What a crazy world we live in. How can a poor student be expected to wade through this nonsense and grasp the important concepts of C++ programming. Personally I would recommend any other book on C++ programming even one written in a language you do not speak!

Here is another quote: "Clients of a class use the class without knowing the internal details of how the class is implemented. If the class implementation is changed (to improve performance, for example), provided the class interface remains constant, the class client source code need not change (although the client may need to be recompiled). This makes it much easier to modify systems."

I have never seen a sentence that repeated three words.

"Clients of a class use the class without knowing the internal details of how the class is implemented." Would it have been so difficult for two MIT graduates and their editors to write the above sentence as follows: "It is not necessary to know the implementation details to use a class." or Classes are like Black boxes. We do not need to know how it is done. We simply ask the class to do it! And many other ways that make sense to the average reader. The book should be used in expository English classes on what to never write. Professors simply need to point to a sentence and say whatever you do never write this way if you ever aim to be understood.

For the sake of all the poor students and teachers who made the mistake to buy the book or attend a school that did not have the good sense to choose a better book I suggest that the book be completely re-written and all the small fonts used in the "observations, advise" and such other unnecessary distraction be removed. The summary does not need to be an exact copy of what was in the earlier chapter word for word.

I will never recommend this book even for a table stand. The sight of it reminds me how the great art of writing has been sold to the highest bidder. It is no longer what you write but whether you can bring in money with your nonsense. What a sad state of affairs. As readers and students we should expose bad writing as much as we expose fraudulent scholarship. This book suffers from terrible writing and style. In an effort to make the subject easier they have gone over the deep end into nonsense, confusion and condescension for the reader as lacking any intelligence and deserving to be treated with terrible writing for a mere... What a bargain. I took and completed the course without ever opening the totally worthless book. The bad writing drove me nuts. I still get nervous when I see a book that looks like it.

Rating:
Summary: Beginning?
Review: I had this book for a beginning C++ class (a first programming class). In 10 weeks our class got up chapter 6. Almost all of the students dropped before the final.

Unfortunately we have to use it for our advanced C++ class. I have purchased two other C++ books and I hope between the three I can figure out what is going on. It is hard to find what you want in the index, it doesn't clearly show examples for some of the very basic things such as writing functions, and it is very wordy. When you are trying to read about something specific, it says we studied this in chapter....and we covered this in chapter..., we will cover this in chapter... (That might be alright if they gave the page numbers they are referring too!)

I think this book could be helpful someday when I learn more about this language as it is very detailed if you can find what you are looking for. As far as a beginning book on programming, it has a lot to be desired! One good thing about it, is that it does show complete programs instead of code fragments other C++ books I have looked at and purchased contain.

(Question to all: I bought the C++ Primer and C/C++ Programmer's Bible. What books have you found helpful for beginners to programming, especally C++ since it is my first? I just purchased the "Bible" today and haven't got to use it yet, although it looks well written and could be a useful refrence. EMAIL me! [e-mail])