An Introduction to Object-Oriented Design in C Plus Plus

Rating:
Summary: Objects come first!
Review: As the title says, this book takes an OO approach to learning C++ from the beginning. Rather than focusing on C++ syntax (data types, functions, pointers, etc.) as a means to write simple programs in the early chapters and leaving OO syntax (classes, objects, inheritance, etc.) until later chapters, this book focuses on OO concepts (objects, attributes, behaviors, etc.) from the start and introduces syntax as needed to flesh out the OO concepts. This clearly reinforces the notion that C++ is much more than advanced C syntax, but is a whole new way of organizing programs from the beginning. This is a little daunting, but I gather that this is how C++ programming is done in the real world and serves as a frame of reference to organize the C++ syntax into coherent groups. At the same time, their discussion of the details of C++ is excellent -especially since these discussions are simultaneously tied in with the general concepts unique to OO programming. Overall, this is a challenging, somewhat unique approach to C++ programming that I liked. It is not for the faint-of-heart, and probably deserves to be read more than once.

Rating:
Summary: I don't like this book
Review: I actually had the professor who wrote this book for a class. I did not like the book at all. For a beginner as I was with no programming experience some of the examples led to more confusion than they solved. Some of the examples will build on code that you read several pages to several chapters back in the book and flipping back and forth to figure out what was done is annoying. The book is not all bad though I still use it some for reference since I paid 100 dollars or so for it when it was brand new... but if you are looking for a beginners introduction to C++ code go with a Schaums(sp?) outline or something that is more of a reference than this book which can be wordy at times.

Rating:
Summary: I don't like this book
Review: I actually had the professor who wrote this book for a class. I did not like the book at all. For a beginner as I was with no programming experience some of the examples led to more confusion than they solved. Some of the examples will build on code that you read several pages to several chapters back in the book and flipping back and forth to figure out what was done is annoying. The book is not all bad though I still use it some for reference since I paid 100 dollars or so for it when it was brand new... but if you are looking for a beginners introduction to C++ code go with a Schaums(sp?) outline or something that is more of a reference than this book which can be wordy at times.

Rating:
Summary: my university is using a different text now
Review: They had us buy this book for the introduction to programming classes. The book is probably best suited to beginner to intermediate level programmers. It is not really suited to a person who has not programmed before. The book has a problem with advanced details, but I wouldn't expect any with an introduction. The problem sets and the glossary at the end of each chapter may be a huge help . . . especially if you have trouble coming up with a problem to solve by programming. My professor did use some of the problem sets right out of the book. The book has design in the title, but it does not discuss design well enough, only programming itself. An Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming in C++ might make for a more accurate title (if that name isn't taken). If a book actually discusses design, the reader of it may have to already know programming basics.

Rating:
Summary: my university is using a different text now
Review: They had us buy this book for the introduction to programming classes. The book is probably best suited to beginner to intermediate level programmers. It is not really suited to a person who has not programmed before. The book has a problem with advanced details, but I wouldn't expect any with an introduction. The problem sets and the glossary at the end of each chapter may be a huge help . . . especially if you have trouble coming up with a problem to solve by programming. My professor did use some of the problem sets right out of the book. The book has design in the title, but it does not discuss design well enough, only programming itself. An Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming in C++ might make for a more accurate title (if that name isn't taken). If a book actually discusses design, the reader of it may have to already know programming basics.