Am I too late to learn C++ programming?

[dealer dash]

I'm 18 and I do not know much regarding C++ programming. Am I actually too late to learn C++? I'm quite interested into it but I do not know where to start. I have a lot of things about computer that I do not understand and know. I feel a bit left out.

[Baso]

Don't be disappointed , I'm 21 and I just begin to learn C++,

[creekist]

18? pshh, not too late at all

[Turbine]

81 Yes.
18 No. ;D

Some people may be younger than you and pick it up a lot easier, that does not mean you cannot learn and become better than that kid.

It's not just about knowing C++, a large part it how you go about designing/writing and implementing your code.

[Catfish]

The PROS
http://www.cplusplus.com/
http://www.cprogramming.com/
http://www.parashift.com/c++-faq-lite/
http://www.mindview.net/Books/TICPP/ThinkingInCPP2e.html

The CONS
http://www.digitalmars.com/d/2.0/index.html
http://yosefk.com/c++fqa/
http://odgaard.org/jeod/funny/interview.html (this is a fake interview, but funny)

[Galik]

I recommend reading Accelerated C++ http://www.acceleratedcpp.com/

[JohnBrystone]

My honest opinion: learn some basic C first, in particular regarding pointers. So write some test programs using pointers; until you have a very good understanding of them.

Then you can start of with C++, by using any of the available books.

18 is not too late, but if you think that C++ is something you learn in 2 weeks, then you are mistaken. ;)

[Computergeek01]

Personally I think learning C will be hurtful to learning C++ programming in the long run. This is because although the two languages are realated, and for the most part compatable, their styles are completley different. It's harder to unlearn a bad habbit like falling back on void pointers to pass complex objects then it would be to learn how to use pointers in C++ for example. You should also learn to use the STL (Standard Template Library) along side of C++, this will show you WHY OOP is so useful and it will help you adapt to the way of thinking that will be necessary to use this language effectivley.

[Galik]

++Computergeek01

I agree, learning C forces you to use patterns that are bad in C++ even though they are good in C. That is why I recommended the book Accelerated C++. It teaches C++ as a language rather than a "better C" and so you don't end up learning the bad habits.

Also it treats pointers as an advanced subject, which they are. There is no need to use pointers in C++ for so many programming tasks. I recommend avoiding pointers until later on .

[zb0S216C]

I too recommend learning C first. As for your age, you're still young; you've got plenty of time. Many people who've been studying C++ for years still haven't mastered it.

_Wazzak

[acorn]

accelerated c++ is a decent book but a little boring. everything about programming interests me except writing the same grade program 17 different ways. a little imagination with the exercises would do it good. i think c++ primer plus (not c++ primer) is a better beginners book.

[dealer dash]

thanks so much for all the guides but i tried the accelerated c++ i went to the site and i just don't know how to start. i read but don't get it

[Galik]

Accelerated C++ is a dead-tree type book, you need to buy it in a book-store. The web-site simply has the book's example programs for download.

Here is a further list of resources:

http://jcatki.no-ip.org:8080/fncpp/Resources#books

[commander40]

First of all there is no age boundary in learning i.e studying.
But the most important is to know why you study some sort
of knowledge!
Why do I want to study C++?
Once you answered that question you’ll never be too young
or too old to start studying it!

[andywestken]

Do you already know other programming languages? If so, which ones?

[Technyque]

Not at all, wasn't till I turned 22 that I started C++. Just remember that you can do anything you wish to do, some things will just require you work harder than others. I noticed that most of the people that were intimidated by programming ended up dropping the course because it seemed too "tech" or whatever, when in reality it seems they had the potential but never actually gave it a shot.

[N85iE3v7]

I learned C when I was 22. Learned C++ when I was 30.

[Nightboy97]

I'm almost 14 and I know HTML, PHP, C, C++,Perl and a little Python, but believe me , you are never too late to learn. /*I learnt HTML when I was ten, but I started Python 3 months ago.*/

[h9uest]

I thought post like this should go to lounge.

@Nightboy97
Good for you! Keep learning, and by the time you graduate from college, you'll be able to kick ass.

[zwA4jE8b]

Im 28 and I just started about 6 months ago. So I do not think you are too late.