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Thread: Which book to learn C++?

  1. #1
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    Which book to learn C++?

    Hey there, I've come to the decision to attempt to master a programming language and after some thinking, I've decided to try and learn C++. My question is, to those of you who have a good understanding of the language, how did you learn it? If you learned it by reading a book, is there any you would recommend? I was tempted to buy "Sam's Teach Yourself C++ In 24 Hours" but I've heard bad things about the series.

    I really don't fancy buying a book on C++ just to find out that it isn't aimed at beginners and is too difficult to start off with, then to find myself £20 out of pocket. Thanks.

    Edit: Sorry if this would be better placed in a different forum.

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  2. #2
    They call me the Hunted foxyloxley's Avatar
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    your profile shows you as a student ?

    use the library either at school / college
    or the public ones, they are free for students IIRC ??

    Use Amazon, and buy from the 'used' section

    Not answering your original question viz-a-vie 'which' book
    as I am not capable of knowing just how your head absorbs data

    for me, I like the SAMS '24 hr' books
    and I like Sybex books too

    each to their own

    but as I stated at the start, get a copy from a library and try it first
    if it DOES work
    used section in Amazon

    MY prefered options

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  3. #3
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    http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/

    This site is amazing.

    If you do everything they have and get a good understanding, you'll know enough to be able to google for anything they don't specifically mention.
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  4. #4
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    Thanks for all your replies, I was going to see if there was a book in the school library on it but we've broke up for summer holidays and the school is shut for the next 4 weeks, I think. I'll probably follow the link gave by The Grunt, then once I've gone through it and have a better understanding of the language, maybe get a book. I'll take a look on amazon as well see if there are any cheap books I could buy.

    Oh and by the way, I can assure you I am a new member here and not just "re-cycing" myself

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  5. #5
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    Cool

    I actually am in a similiar situation that you are in, I need(ed) to learn C++ damn well!

    Well, interestingly enough, there are opensource books that teach it!

    How to Think Like a Computer Scientist is great if you don't all ready know another language (it's still great if you know another language, but it will be boring in the beginning).

    If I my suggest, learning C++ may be intimidating at first. You may want to learn Java first to get your feet wet, get comfortable programming, then you can expand into C++. Just a suggestion

    There is also a depository of free online books on C++, there is also Thinking in C++ and C++ in Action. I'm the scourge of free books

    Also, you'll want a C++ compiler and whatnot. If you are using windows, you can get Microsoft Visual C++ Express Edition free (most of the times you'll be making a "Windows 32 console program").

    Good luck, it's a hard but rewarding language!
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  6. #6
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    The C++ Programming Language, by Bjarne Stroustrup, inventor of C++

    That book is a necessary addition to any, and I mean pretty much ANY programmer, regardless of language. It's expensive, but if you get serious about learning the language (which i was always too lazy to do) then you should shell out the cash, as it's honestly worth it.

    as for compilers on windows, i'd get devc++... http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html

  7. #7
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    Thanks for the links Arkimedes, I'm looking into the "How to Think Like a Computer Scientist" book right now, seems pretty good. I've took your advice er0k and I'm using Dev C++ right now, love it

    I'll keep y'all updated with my progress

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  8. #8
    Leftie Linux Lover the_JinX's Avatar
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    I got C++ for C Programmers by Ira Pohl..

    But that is not really a beginners book... It does help out with the whole OOP stuff..
    If you know and like C you might like that book..
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  9. #9
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    I'm surprised this one hasn't been mentioned: Accelerated C++

    It is an excellent beginner's book and, although I left C++ fairly early on (I wanted to learn PHP), it taught me the basics very well. I can't recommend it any more! In fact, it was recommended to me (here on AO) when I asked the same question several months/a year ago. If my opinion is not enough, check out the Amazon reviews as well

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