Rating: 
Summary: Who's Afraid? Not Me - No More!!
Review: "Who's Afraid of C++?" really helped me come on board to C++ -- FAST! I've been developing application software for a number of years. Several
years ago I started using C. Recently I began coding with C++. I was having trouble with some of the concepts and usage of classes, inheritance,
polymorphism, templates, etc., etc. I was spending a lot of time spinning my wheels -- and who has time to spin their wheels?!! Who's Afraid of C++?
gave me the "info push" I needed to get going. It provided the basics in a straight forward manner. It also had good, solid code examples. The book did
not bog me down with the details of all the techie nuances available in C++. It gave me the information I needed to start using C++. Once I got going with
C++ I found concepts that were hazy started making sense. The "light buld" and "oh I get it..." happened more and more! Boy, did that feel good!!
Who's Afraid gave me the C++ foundation that helped me move along to more advance C++ techniques; and it's let me wade into Steve Heller's,
"Efficient C/C++ Programming, Smaller, Faster, Better." Diana Rawlins
Rating: 
Summary: Over-simplified and confusing both at the same time.
Review: Just what the world needs - yet another how-to-program book! The author manages to confuse novice programmers and frustrate experienced ones at the same time. Too much talk, not enough information, and an irritating style to boot. There are a number of decent C++ books out there, but this isn't one of them
Rating:
Summary: Who's Afraid? Not Me -- No More!!
Review: "Who's Afraid of C++?" really helped me come on board to C++ -- FAST! I've been developing application software for a number of years. Several years ago I started using C. Recently I began coding with C++. I was having trouble with some of the concepts and usage of classes, inheritance, polymorphism, templates, etc., etc. I was spending a lot of time spinning my wheels -- and who has time to spin their wheels?!! Who's Afraid of C++? gave me the "info push" I needed to get going. It provided the basics in a straight forward manner. It also had good, solid code examples. The book did not bog me down with the details of all the techie nuances available in C++. It gave me the information I needed to start using C++. Once I got going with C++ I found concepts that were hazy started making sense. The "light buld" and "oh I get it..." happened more and more! Boy, did that feel good!! Who's Afraid gave me the C++ foundation that helped me move along to more advance C++ techniques; and it's let me wade into Steve Heller's, "Efficient C/C++ Programming, Smaller, Faster, Better."
Rating:
Summary: It's the best introduction to C++ for the novice I've seen.
Review: This book explains the sometimes forbidding topic of C++ programming, step
by step, sometimes retracing steps as necessary for especially difficult concepts. We are provided with instant feedback for the questions that
arise, in the person of Susan who challenges the author to make his presentation clear, sometimes to re-present it in different terms if necessary.
It's entertaining, thorough, and (maybe the best part) it comes with a dandy
full-featured 32-bit C++ compiler on a CD-ROM, not some punitive stripped-
down, "it does everything but allow you to save your work" version as I've seen in other introductory books on C. In spite of its readability, it's not shallow -
we are taken, albeit gently, into the very bits and bytes of machine code, registers,
assembly, etc., very early on, to acquire an understanding beyond, in the author's words, that of the "Sunday driver" of C++. My only qualm with this book is that it
seems to stop somewhere in the middle, leaving several (more advanced, I guess) topics uncovered. However, like all good stories these days, we are promised a sequel at
the end. .
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding focus on having the reader really understand!
Review: This book did for me exactly what I had hoped. It gave me an understanding of the fundamentals of C++.
Steve Heller has worked hard to make sure all readers, not just those with prior programming experience, know how - and why - the basics of C++ work. On every page, he displays a passion to have the reader understand in depth the topic at hand. He does this with clear explanations of concepts that could otherwise easily discourage the beginner.
The author uses a wonderful device, a dialogue with Susan, a real person and a beginner in programming
who "beta tested" the book prior to publication. Every reader can immediately empathize wiht Susan as she
verbalizes her questions and frustrations. Heller guides her gently and patiently along the path
to enlightenment by re-explaining the current topic in different words,
each time helping her (and the rest of us) to better understand.
The challenge in the book's title is perfect. If Susan isn't afraid of C++, then I won't be either.
The narrative with its plain English, conversational style and whimsical chapter and section titles kept me interested
and involved in the learning process. Theory is put into practice through the CD-ROM that comes with the book, including example programs and a compiler for completing the exercises at the end of each chapter.
As I got further into the book, I realized I was getting comfortable with some previously alien ideas and that my test programs would actually work.
This book provides an excellent foundation and I highly recommend it. I'm looking forward to the sequel that
will illuminate more advanced topics.
Rating:
Summary: Recommended! Takes you from non-programmer to C++, readably.
Review: Steve Heller's earlier book, "Large Problems, Small Machines", was a fairly standard text on writing tight, fast code: competently done, in a professional style. His new one, "Who's Afraid of C++", breaks new ground by using what is almost a technical novel form to teach quite advanced C++ programming syntax and concepts to non-programmers. Steve's technical discourse is intermixed with e-mail from an intelligent but non-technical co-conspirator, who reviews drafts of the material and asks the questions that force Steve to explain those things most technical writers take for granted, even when writing elementary material. In the end, Steve's dialog with his reviewer becomes as interesting as his official material, holding the interest of even those readers who stopped being afraid of C++ a long time ago. I highly recommend "Who's Afraid of C++"
Rating:
Summary: The best page-turner on a technical subject I've ever read
Review: "Wow" "Stupendous" "I see the light" and I'm not just saying that. This book has answered a desire to get into and look forward to working with C++.
As a FORTRAN/JCL guy, the need to update my skill set has been imperative. Because I approached this book with technical knowledge already
intact (although RUSTY in some areas), my impression may be different from the complete computer novice's. That said, I return to praise Mr. Heller
in keeping me interested in getting through already familiar ideas on the way to learning what's new down the road. Mr. Heller CAN TEACH; he's got the gift of making completely foreign ideas (like CLASS Structure for me) simple, clear and eventually your own. He is your best friend througout
this C++ tutorial and tells all along what goes where and what each tool can do. Many times in reading, I felt that he was talking to me as through the phone or in a letter and always with my best intentions in mind; this, I believed was his way of endearing the reader to him and the subject (quality 'hand holding' doesn't have to hurt) and it worked. Maybe this review reads like a cliche but that's only because the book delivers the goods, the ideals, the qualities that learners yearn for so he genuinely deserves the catch phrases that the world's critiques have given us.
Don't miss the sequel ! I have faith in Mr. Heller's power to enlighten further.
Raymond Hal
Rating:
Summary: Who is Afraid of C++?
Review: Though I have not read too far into the book it is easy compared to the many stories of hardship involving C++. From someone who doesn't even know Basic this is a great source to begin with or advance with what you know. I would recommend it to everyone who has an interest in C++ or Programming in itself
Rating:
Summary: Grabs the reader like a good novel does.
Review: This book grabbed me the way a good Tom Clancy novel does. "Who's Afraid of C++?" by Steve Heller is the best programming book I've read in years.
I think the reader of a review deserves a little insight into the background of the reviewer to better evaluate it. My background is in hardware - 12 years as a field support engineer for RCA, 15 years as a tech. specialist for a modem company, etc. - working on computers, radar, data transmission equipment, etc. At various times I tried studying programming. I learned basic, of course, a little C, some assembler, but never stuck with it long enough to get a solid foundation in a language. Steve Heller's book has that certain spark that makes me put off other things in order to spend more time on it. The pace seems just right: The book does not dawdle, neither does it seem hurried. It has a smooth, natural flow that carries the student along effortlessly. The concepts are laid out in a logical order and explained clearly. Touches of humor enliven the book. But the crowning achievement is the interplay between Steve, the master programmer, and Susan, the eager and determined novice. I've taught many classes on technical subjects; the student questions are a critical part of the classroom learning process. They give the group a multi-dimensional view of the subject, a view "from all sides" instead of the single view of the solitary student. The author's use of Susan's comments and questions, and Steve's answers, provide the same kind of "over-all view" that student questions would in the classroom. To me, this was a stroke of genius.
This book covers the basics of C++. It gives the student the foundation he needs to continue his studies in the subject. Hopefully, Steve Heller will write a sequel to this book and carry us on, in his luminous way, to more advanced topics.
Rating:
Summary: A great book for people new to C++ and programming.
Review: Who's Afraid of C++ is a very original book. It's different from all the other programming books out today by taking difficult concepts and making them easy to understand.
Steve Heller, the author, narrates his book by speaking to a
novice who has never programmed. As one might expect, the things that the novice, Susan, finds difficult we too would probably share the same concern. Steve Heller helps Susan with her problems by explaining in simple language the theory and practical application behind the difficult concepts.
This is only one of the things that makes this book so
unique. There are a lot of other great things about this book
including :
- a very thorough, easy to understand glossary on C++ programming and hardware jargon.
- the closing chapter clarifies the level of C++ programming
he has covered and reveals that his soon to be next book will take us to more advanced topics in this very popular
programming language. - A section on hardware fundamentals.
- A C++ compiler ! ! ! If you are new to programming and want to learn about C++,
what are you waiting for? This book is a must! Best of all,
you save $100 because it comes with a free C++ compiler.
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