Rating: 
Summary: An excellent and lucid intro to C++.
Review: C++ for You++ is a wonderful book. I don't know what the people who gave it 1/5 stars were thinking.The difference between it and other introductory books becomes apparent from the very beginning of the book. THe typical approach in intro programming books is to begin with a completely useless "Hello World" program. I don't know about others, but I generally feel like I'm being talked down to if the book assumes that I am too dumb to be able to undestand anything more. People learn a language not to write "hello world", but useful, more complex code. C++ For You++ starts off with a "dictionary" program. At first glance, this looks overwhelming. But as one starts to read the explanations and description that the book gives of what all the pieces of code do , and how they interact, it reason and meaning of the code becomes apparent. This approach allows for a very rapid ascent to a level where very useful programs can be written. Other books I have read waste much more time pre-chewing everything for the student, and take a lot longer to start giving useful information. When I picked up this book, my programming experience was confined to a very superficial study of Pascal (a couple of weeks worth of studying). Using this book, I was mastered enough C++ in three weeks to be able to outcompete the other AP C++ students in my class, who had had a *year* of high school level C/C++ class time, and were were using other books. The examples and problems given are also excellent. Someone complained they are too hard. That's not true. They take thought, that is true, but isn't that the whole point? And we all know how brilliant those programmers at big companies such as the one reffered to by one of the reviewers always are, don't we? ;-) Oh yes. This book covers some things that are NOT on the AP test (namely inheritance), in addition to the stuff on it. I think this was a great decision on the part of the authors, as inheritance is a fundamental part of C++ and OOP. Most books out there are mere study aids for the AP test. This book actually teaches people to program in C++. And once you know C++, then it isn't much of a problem to demolish the AP test.
Rating:
Summary: Thorough and Helpful
Review: Far better than any comparable text, this volume presents the concepts of computer science with clarity and much detail. Neither bewildering the novice nor boring the expert, C++ For You++ covers all aspects of the AP C++ Exam. Two notable feature of this book are the clarity of the examples used to illustrate the concepts and the absence of numerous typos found in many of its competitors. The authors quickly respond to any questions you might have and maintain a nice web site with updates. I personally used this book to prepare for the AP Exam my senior year in high school, and found it instrumental to understanding the language. My teacher had selected a different book, but it was so horrible in comparison that several of my friends and I used copies of this book instead and saved ourselves a lot of trouble.
Rating: 
Summary: Poorly Written Book.
Review: I am an AP Computer Science student, and we are using this textbook in our class. Myself as well as my fellow classmates are finding this book very frusterating. This book makes simple aspects of c++ extremely obscure. The examples (if any) are very poor, and they do more to harm you than enhance your knowledge about c++. The examples are confusing, and the wording of the book does not explain points to clearly. There are even aspects of c++ that are inscribed within the examples that you don't even know about. There are definitely better choices than this book, and I regret ever taking the course, because this book is doing nothing to enhance my knowledge about Programming In C++.
Rating:
Summary: A Clear and Solid Book
Review: I didn't know anything about C++ before buying this book; now I am already writing my own programs! The detailed and helpful examples guide you through the basics of C++ style and syntax, starting from simple exercises and moving to more demanding applications. A great preparation for the AP exam.
Rating:
Summary: Confusing explanations, not enough examples
Review: I find the book does not explain the concepts in a straightforward manner. Further, it lacks enough examples to show how the concepts work. Without these, it is very difficult for me to learn. I plan to buy another text to teach myself as this book is totally inadequate.
I use the AP version of this textbook in AP Computer Science. The only way this version is different from the standard is that it includes explanations for a special set of AP classes.
Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't cover meterial properly
Review: I recently purchased this book for a class at school and when i started to read it the first thing it does is launch you into hexidecimal to binary conversions. Then in chapter 2 the first example they give you is a program that takes up THREE pages at a small font. The program is a dictionary that reads from a file on the hardisk (a relitevely hard task in any langauge). And then makes what you type in translate to italian. They don't even consider that someone new to the langauge has no idea what COUT or CIN means.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Text, But Beginners Beware
Review: I used this text to prepare for the 1999 AP Computer Science examination. I found it to be excellent preparation for the exam. However, it must be noted that the text takes many topics beyond the depth required in the exam and if using the text solely for AP preparation, then the AP syllabus should be used as a guide as to how much to emphasize each topic. If the book is thoroughly gone through entirely though, it provides an excellent background for students studying technical fields at the collegiate level. I had not had any C++ experience prior to using this text, but I did have experience with other programming languages. The subtitle "An Introduction to Programming and Computer Science" may give the impression that the book is for beginning high school programmers. This is not the case though. This book is for students who have elementary programming experience in high school and would like to go beyond this to study computer programming at the collegiate level. The material covered in this text is consistent with introductory programming courses taught in college.
Rating: 
Summary: On the back cover...
Review: If you are a computer science student... chances are you don'ttake textbooks too seriously. Some, you might feel, treat you like adummy. Others confuse you with obscure explanations and examples of basically simple ideas. Then you need C++ for You++ ! In one concise volume, this book takes you from the rudiments of C++ syntax and style to a mastery of data structures and algorithms, problem-solving techniques, and well-structured program design. Moving at a comfortable pace through many labs and case studies, the authors help you appreciate the simple but powerful ideas that make modern computer science work. Co-written by a veteran computer science teacher and a professional C++ software engineer, C++ for You++ combines theoretical insight with practical sense. It is engaging and accessible to a novice, yet comprehensive enough to satisfy an inquisitive student who wants to know exactly how things fit together. All the labs and case studies are available on disk (with solutions on the teacher's disk). This unique book covers the standard AB-level APCS curriculum in a clear, readable style. It has been successful in introductory and advanced high school courses and has helped many readers learn C++ on their own. This Special AP Edition explains and uses the apvector, apmatrix, apstring, apstack, and apqueue classes required for the Advanced Placement* examination. A companion workbook... by the same authors provides useful, enjoyable exercises, mini-projects, and self-tests. * Advanced Placement is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board which does not endorse this book.
Rating:
Summary: Best ANSI Standard C++ book by far
Review: int main() if(you want to master C++ language == true) { buy this book(); for(i = 0; i < 2; i++) { read this book(); } recommend(all of your friends); } else { learn language(BASIC); } return(0); }
Rating:
Summary: Best ANSI Standard C++ book by far
Review: int main() if(you want to master C++ language == true) { buy this book(); for(i = 0; i < 2; i++) { read this book(); } recommend(all of your friends); } else { learn language(BASIC); } return(0); }
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