C++ Primer Plus, 4th Edition

I don't think I could have asked for a better C++ guide than Steven Prata's C++ Primer Plus. I started learning the language flat-footed, that is, I didn't even know C. I am now writing C++ professionally and 95% of everything I know about the language came from this book.

Prata is a master instructor. His examples for illustrating classes, inheritance, and language syntax are almost always clear and helpful, as are his practice problems. He is also a great technical writer. In these days when most software instruction books read like they are written by the computers they are supposed to help us deal with, "C++ Primer Plus" has a refreshingly human tone of voice.

Be warned, you won't find absolutely everything in this book. I would have added a few extra pages to include a couple of things in the STL that Prata decided to leave out. And, if you're like I was and don't know C, you will find that "C++ Primer Plus" will leave you missing out on a few very... Read more

I learned C++ from the Second Edition of this book, back when I was in high school. I would go so far as to say it was the single most useful reference I had...the examples were clear and concise; while the book is not as detailed and will not take you to an expert level of C++ programming, it gives you a very solid grounding in Object Oriented concepts, and is an invaluable base to begin from. I've seen friends try to learn C++ from other books, and then look through my Second Edition of this and simply gush about how much easier to understand it is.

Concepts I learned in this book, I've used as a video game programmer (working with DirectX and C++ under Windows), and even as a Java programmer; the grounding in object-oriented design you get from this book is solid enough to carry to things other than C++ quite well.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough; it is NOT the only book you will want for learning C++, but it is definitely one of the first and most valuable!

Having bought a few of the books recommended for C++ rookies I would definitely say this is the best. The explanations are clearer and have more depth to them than the other books, there are revision questions at the end of each chapter and programming exercises too.

I really think this book is a real bargain provided you are prepared to work hard at learning the language. C++ is tough to learn but if you read ( and sometimes re read ! ) the material here, complete the questions and exercises, you will definitely finish the book as an intermediate C++ programmer.

The only criticism I have is that it would've been good to have example program listings/answers for the programming exercises that are set at the end of each chapter, so you could tell if you were approaching things correctly.

Overall this is an outstanding introductory programming book , and if you are a beginner and can afford only one book, make it this one.