C++ Weekend Crash Course

Rating:
Summary: Perfect for the C programmer moving to C++
Review: As a C (and other languages) programmer, I have spent hours in the bookstore reading 20 or more books on C++ trying to find one that would give me the C++ concepts quickly and simply - and this book does. I am quite certain that it will not be my last book on C++, it is NOY a complete referece by any means. I would also add that it is definitely NOT for someone with no programming experience (even though the copy says it is). While this book is not really what it purports to be, it is perfect for the C programmer moving to C++.

Rating:
Summary: Relatively useless...
Review: Being an intermediate-level programmer I was able to breeze through the first few chapters with ease. The text explains fundamentals fairly well and it gives plenty of examples.
Progressing further into the book, past the fundamentals was quite a challenge. The chapter on pointers is poorly described, seemed rushed, with examples that are inadequately explained.
This book is OK as a reference if you already know what you are doing. Otherwise for a good intro book to C++ I would suggest C++ How to Program by Deitel and Deitel.

Rating:
Summary: It sounded like a great idea.
Review: Learn C++ in one weekend? Wow! What takes other people a lifetime (or at least a few years to learn), I'll manage in one weekend! Great idea, except that it doesn't work.

I was also skeptical, but since I knew C and programmed in other languages, I thought I would at least be able to learn some basic concepts. And I tried really hard to complete the book in one weekend. But I don't believe it's possible; either that or I am much more of a "dummy" than other people. If for no other reason than just for spending money on a book that sounds like a marketing ploy rather than a serious programming book.

I would say that it is just feasible to READ the book in the time specified. Absorbing the knowledge, trying and playing with the programs supplied, would require a lot more time. I don't believe that anybody has learnt programming by just reading about it and that's another reason why I think that the title is grossly misleading.

Most programming books published these days contain mistakes (it's unfortunate that we have to pay good money for faulty products), but this one seems particularly bad. How is it possible that every single 'cin' is written as 'cin >' instead of 'cin >>'? Or does 'cin >' compile on the author's compiler? Are the publisher's deadlines really more important than releasing a thoroughly proofread book? More questions than answers.

On the positive side, the chapters are clear and concise, suitable perhaps for someone who needs to refresh his forgotten skills and the price is reasonable.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anybody who is serious about learning C++.

Rating:
Summary: Avoid this book
Review: This book is by the same author as "C++ for dummies". Having browsed through that book and read the reviews, "C++ Weekend Crash Course" appears to be a reformatted, repackaged version of "C++ for dummies" oriented towards quick learning for someone under the gun to complete a C++ project. Nevertheless, it does seem to be a throrough examination of the basics of the C++ language.

Davis seems to really know his stuff and his style is towards teaching someone relatively new to programming or new to the C++ language. This is not a definitive reference nor is it without errors. But it excells in what it proclaims: Teaching someone the basics of C++ fast, in an easy, enjoyable and intuitive manner. This is very important for newbies. Communication and presentation are more important to newbies than technical perfection. And this book excells at communication and presentation. I've read the book over a number of weeks, so the "weekend crash course" proclomation does not apply to me. But, judging how long each section took, it does look like it's possible to do it in a weekend if you have the entire weekend to dedicate to it.

As my comfort with C++ grows, I will move on to "The C++ Programming Language" by the C++ creator, Bjarne Stroustrup. That book appears to be awfull for the newbie, but is an excellent reference for intermediate and up. The point is, some programming books are great for newbies (like "C++ Weekend Crash Course") and some are great for reference and more advanced users.

The errors in the code examples (there aren't that many) can be annoying. But that is a result of the mass production nature of programming books. I'm sure that future editions of this book will have corrections. Even the book that many consider to be the ultimate C book, K&R's "The C Programming Language" had errors in it's first edition (as noted by the authors). The other reviewers complaining about the occasional code error in this book should look at it as a challenge for their code debugging skills (which every programmer needs). If you don't catch the errors and have difficulty compiling, it means you are not learning the concepts, but merely copying code (which does not make you a good programmer).

If you want to learn the basics of the C++ language fast and in an enjoyable, easy, intuitive way, this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Relatively useless...
Review: This book is relatively useless unless you intend to write the programs he has made into examples in the book. Nothing is explained or defined, many explanations are missing as far as terms, ideas, or even how or what something does. I would not recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Dissapointing...
Review: This book was my first book on learning C++. After reading several other books on C++, I can honestly say that this book was dissapointing at best. In a beginner's eyes, it is easy to imagine how this book might seem handy. It is informative and helpful on elementary topics, and also was helpful in the respect that I had no idea where to get a compiler or how to use it. However, once the book delves into more advanced topics, it becomes apparent that
1.) the author never bothered to debug and test his programs and
2.) that the author is inadequate at explanations.
If you have plenty of money to burn, buy this book. Otherwise, try to get a book that doesn't have some sort of false "in a weekend!" or "in 21 days" or "for idiots!" promise. Learning to program takes hard work and perseverance, and those kind of books simply aren't cut out for teaching programming (not in the timeframe they promise, at least.).