Rating: 
Summary: A decent book for the beginning C++ programmer.
Review: A decent book overall. You need to have MS Visual C++ to really benefit from the coding examples, otherwise you'll spend half your learning time converting them over to Borland or some other compiler. Not a very good stand alone book, without an instructor or professor helping you through it, you can get lost on some C++ concepts. It DOES focus on C++ and leaves C behind which is a nice refreshment to C++ text books. You might want to have someone who knows C++ around if you choose to learn using this book.
Rating: 
Summary: If you intend to teach yourself C++ --
Review: An Introduction to Programming with C++ is an outstanding book to use (FYI -- this book is routinely used by many technical colleges to teach introductory level C++ courses). Ms. Zak assumes no prior knowledge of C++ and left virtually no concept unexplained. Consequently, learning the rudiments of C++ is as painless possible. When you complete the coursework presented in this book you will be prepared to tackle something like Deitel and Deitel's "How to Program" (as recommended with Mr. Barlow in a previous review -- I heartily agree -- a nice book) or Liberty's Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days. Heads up -- An Introduction to Programming with C++ is written for use in the Microsoft Visual C++ 5.0 Learning Edition environment. With that development environment and this book, you will be able to teach yourself the basic fundamentals of C++.
Rating:
Summary: Great Primer for Non-Programmers
Review: C++ is not an easy language to master and many basic programming concepts are difficult to grasp when you are starting out. But this book makes learning it easy. I normally program in Visual Basic, but I picked up this book to challenge the Colorado Technical University CS104 course and worked through it during the evenings in just one week. This book is chuck full of wonderful exercises to help drill C++ basics home. And the layout is easy to understand and follow. The code examples are straight-forward and match up to the chapter lessons. This book does not get into programming techniques, only the basics of the C++ language syntax. Coincidently, CTU uses the Deitel and Deitel book (mentioned by Barlowe below) in their followup class CS115, the basics are discussed in the first few chapters of Deitel's book as well, but Deitel's doesn't have the exercises to practice with.
Rating:
Summary: Great Primer for Non-Programmers
Review: C++ is not an easy language to master and many basic programming concepts are difficult to grasp when you are starting out. But this book makes learning it easy. I normally program in Visual Basic, but I picked up this book to challenge the Colorado Technical University CS104 course and worked through it during the evenings in just one week. This book is chuck full of wonderful exercises to help drill C++ basics home. And the layout is easy to understand and follow. The code examples are straight-forward and match up to the chapter lessons. This book does not get into programming techniques, only the basics of the C++ language syntax. Coincidently, CTU uses the Deitel and Deitel book (mentioned by Barlowe below) in their followup class CS115, the basics are discussed in the first few chapters of Deitel's book as well, but Deitel's doesn't have the exercises to practice with.
Rating:
Summary: I'd rather have a root canal than learn programming...
Review: I am a student who entered a Computer Graphics program and was a victim of a "new, more programming oriented" curriculum. Her C++ book actually put me in the position to ask professor the right questions and even show some other members of the class a trick or two. I am not an expert, but this book definitely rescued me from failing my C++ class when it was nothing but pain and suffering. This book clearly steps the way for a beginner to develop understanding and skill, a task which should NOT be underrated. This book did wonders teaching me in a field where, as my professor put it "If you don't know everything, you don't know anything."
Rating: 
Summary: The author should stick to graphic arts!
Review: I have taught computer science at the college level for 20 years. C++ and C are programming languages that are of special interest to me. Almost all of the programs written by the author that are in ths solutions online file DO NOT RUN! You have to rewright them.Overall, the book is not very good. I suggest the book, "A First Book of C++ From Here To There", by, Gary Bronson.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for beginners -- Doesn't go far
Review: I just finished an introduction C++ programming course, where this book was the required text and I found the book to be great! As a "newbie" to the programming venue, Zak's book clearly spelled everything out, with clear and concise examples. There were also plenty of exercises to complete to help the student gain the confidence and understanding of this language! Even though I felt that I was learning a "foreign language", I felt like I really came away with a thorough understanding of an foundational aspects of C++. Some students, I am sure, will find the book too "simplistic" or maybe even beneath them, but as a "newbie" I found the book perfect for what I was trying to accomplish. This is actually a book where once could sit down and teach oneself the fundamentals of C++ and one will feel confident as one completes the programming exercises. I thought the book was excellent and I came away from the course with a great foundation of intro C++. I thoroughly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction Book
Review: I just finished an introduction C++ programming course, where this book was the required text and I found the book to be great! As a "newbie" to the programming venue, Zak's book clearly spelled everything out, with clear and concise examples. There were also plenty of exercises to complete to help the student gain the confidence and understanding of this language! Even though I felt that I was learning a "foreign language", I felt like I really came away with a thorough understanding of an foundational aspects of C++. Some students, I am sure, will find the book too "simplistic" or maybe even beneath them, but as a "newbie" I found the book perfect for what I was trying to accomplish. This is actually a book where once could sit down and teach oneself the fundamentals of C++ and one will feel confident as one completes the programming exercises. I thought the book was excellent and I came away from the course with a great foundation of intro C++. I thoroughly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction Book
Review: I just finished an introduction C++ programming course, where this book was the required text and I found the book to be great! As a "newbie" to the programming venue, Zak's book clearly spelled everything out, with clear and concise examples. There were also plenty of exercises to complete to help the student gain the confidence and understanding of this language! Even though I felt that I was learning a "foreign language", I felt like I really came away with a thorough understanding of an foundational aspects of C++. Some students, I am sure, will find the book too "simplistic" or maybe even beneath them, but as a "newbie" I found the book perfect for what I was trying to accomplish. This is actually a book where once could sit down and teach oneself the fundamentals of C++ and one will feel confident as one completes the programming exercises. I thought the book was excellent and I came away from the course with a great foundation of intro C++. I thoroughly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: A truely excellent beginner's book! Nothing like it!
Review: I knew absolutely nothing about programming when I first started studying C++ using Diane's book. Now I feel like the world's biggest expert! (Even though I know I have a ways to go). Topics are very well organized, and very clearly explained. Chapters are detailed carefully enough so as not to be intimidating. The "Debugging" excercises were my favorite - a great tool for mastering code! Excellent job Diane Zak. You've made the difference!
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