I Need Experienced Advice!

[DEdesign57]

First let me state that I am interested in learning C++ because I want to be a computer programmer. I have taken a semester on Java in my school, so I am not a totally new to programming. I am looking for the best beginners book I can get for C++. I favor clarity and flow, along with exercises to practice. After a few hours of research I came up with these results:



http://www.amazon.com/dp/0201721481/?tag=stackoverfl08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/020170353X/?tag=stackoverfl08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0672326973/?tag=stackoverfl08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0321246950?tag=cpnonsqueeze-20&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0321246950&creative=373489&camp=211189

For those of you that have been down this road pleases help me make the right decision for I don't know any better! and I dont want to regret my purchase.

BTW I don't want to get a book that teaches my old coding styles.

[budman85]

I found this one to be descent, so far, lots of examples to work with and get familiar with.

Beginning C++ Programming: The Complete Language

http://www.amazon.ca/Beginning-C-Programming-Complete-Language/dp/186100012X/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1299383807&sr=1-13


I like this book too - it explains a lot to help improve

Effective C++: 55 Specific Ways to Improve Your Programs and Designs

http://www.amazon.ca/Effective-Specific-Improve-Programs-Designs/dp/0321334876/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1299383961&sr=8-1-catcorr

The older books help as well like Pointers and having some C books on hand won't hurt. :)


I've programmed in other languages and started picking up C++ as well.
I've enjoyed it a lot so far.

I do recommend any book(s) you choose to buy that has examples, check out the book's accompanying web site to see if there were any erratums released (it will save you some frustration).

[thokra]

Since I'm German I can only refer you to some other more advanced English literature. As for the "old coding styles" you fear - to my knowledge the most recent books by any of the experts are a little dated but so far I've seen nobody complain that either one of these is unusable today.

But hey: cplusplus.com has some nice beginner's tutorials! :) They can get you started just as well as some beginner's textbook.

For my taste "C++ Coding Standards" by Sutter and Alexandrescu can be a little more convenient to read than Meyers. Less depth, but due to its compendium nature the book is good as a reference.

http://www.amazon.com/Coding-Standards-Rules-Guidelines-Practices/dp/0321113586/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1299407218&sr=1-1

The other books Sutter and by Bruce Eckel might also work for you.

One thing: Don't try to get into the Effective-C++ etc. track too early. For some of it to really understand you need a lot more experience than you'll have for some time when starting with C++.

Thomas