Customer Reviews

C++: A Beginner's Guide, Second Edition

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is exactly what it purports to be....A Beginner's Guide. It's not written as an extensive reference nor does it completely cover every topic addressed in the book. What it does do is it gives beginner's a way to get started in the language. C++ is a huge language and very complex. This book is an introductory text to be used by any beginning programmer, even if you've never had experience programming in any language before.

This book will probably not appeal to programmers that are already familiar with C++. If you are a programmer in another OO language like Java, then you may find this book helpful but I think there are better alternative.

When I was beginning my CS degree, I had no prior knowledge of C++ and this book saved me because the writer's style is very laid back and verbose. He explains most topics adequately but not completely so often I found myself turning back to the course text book for additional information. However, his style of writing is very easy and non-patronizing. He doesn't expect you to already know what a function is nor the difference or similarities between a pointer and an array. He explains this all for you and doesn't require the reader to make leaps in logic to assimilate the concepts. Those leaps can come later....beginners need to learn how to solve problems and build up their confidence in programming....this book does that.

The value of this book lies not in it's complete coverage of the language, the value comes from how the author presents at least one solution to most programming problems and then moves on to other topics. It does weigh in at around 550 pages, including the index so it's not a pamphlet by any means.

The chapters are laid out in a very organized fashion that really helped me assimilate the information. In order, they are:
1. C++ Fundamentals
2. Introducing Data Types and Operators
3. Program Control Statements
4. Arrays, Strings, and Pointers
5. Introducing Functions
6. A Closer Look at Functions
7. More Data Types and Operators
8. Classes and Objects
9. A Closer Look at Classes
10. Inheritance, Virtual Functions, and Polymorphism
11. The C++ I/O System
12. Exceptions, Templates, and Other Advanced Topics.
Appendix A. The Preprocessor
Appendix B. Working with an Older C++ Compiler
Index

Through out the chapters there are also projects where you can try out what you've just learned and if you get stuck, there's a step-by-step walk through of the solution. There are also progress checks that question you about what was just covered. This constant reinforcement/repeating of the material is what really helped me learn the subject.

I used this book through both my beginning and advanced C++ classes and data structures class. I still refer back to it from time to time but not as much anymore...I've since found other, more complete references.

I highly recommend this book to any newcomer or anyone that's tried other C++ books and still doesn't "get it". I do not recommend this book to those that are already familiar with the language as it's likely to be too long winded for them.

I really like Herb Schildt's style. He makes a complex subject extremely understandable. We've all had to labor our way through "beginner" books that were either too basic or that required a PhD in computer science. This book is neither. It covers C++ thoroughly but in an understandable way. It also explains object-oriented programming in a way that helped me better understand what OOP is all about. I highly recommend this book.

Very good book. I don't know anything about C++ but this books presents it in a clear and easy manner. Also, the price was really good compared with the amount of information this book has to give and all examples of codes work with visual basic and borland...However it doesn't provide enough exercises and when you reach the end of a chapter it feels rushed, the exercises they give you is relatively hard. If this doesn t phase you then add one star because the explanations are really clear

I own several C++ book and thats normally because each one has it's own strengths and weaknesses, but Huber Schildt's C++: A Beginner's Guide is an amazing book. This guide is a great starting point to c++, everything is clearly explained, the examples are perfect for demonstrating the topics being explained, and everything used in the book is ISO/ANSI standard C++ so you know that your complier will run the code you learn to write from this book no matter what system you run as long as it follows the set standards (which is most compliers after 1998 I believe). If you are looking for a book that explains everything (why do you start the program with int main() or what is a name space) this book is the best for you. This book does not explain too much or too little. I carry this around with me everywhere I go <3

It's always great to extend your skill set in programming languages as an engineer or even for fun. After reading other Guides for C++ Programming, this book really clarifies C++ with great examples to follow along. Most books apply concepts with so much wording that the application may be harder to comprehend. For a quicker read and evident examples, this is the book to get!

Even with no (absolutely zero) prior programming experience, I feel like I have a decent grasp on the basics--and the syntax--of C++ after reading this book. Given how notoriously difficult the language is (according to the assorted denizens of the internet), I think that means this must be a pretty good book.

Be warned: it starts out surprisingly easy, but the complexity of the subject matter ramps up pretty quickly. Take it slow and re-read anything you don't understand repeatedly until you figure it out. Take notes, even. And you absolutely MUST follow along in your IDE (Integrated Development Environment--what you type the code into and compile it with, etc.), typing in the code and compiling it yourself. It helps you retain the information.

Note that this book's contents never get out of the console; it's purely about the basics of the language, not its practical use. After reading it, you'll want to pick up a more advanced book--which you'll be ready for if you've absorbed everything you can from this one.

I think it's a good book to learn C++ with because the author gets to the point about what's being explained. Schildt's writing style is clear and easy to understand. The code examples show ways a concept may be applied that might not be obvious from the text, i.e. showing its usefulness.

Great book for those new to C++. I was new to both C and C++ and this book was of enormeous help. I used some other books previously, but they were written extremely technical and boring, which put me off after one chapter. You can read this in one weekend, without being utterly bored, and you'll understand all the basics and can start programming.

I had to jump from JAVA to C++ in my final year of university and this was the book I picked randomly from the libraries selection. Two years have passed since I picked up this book and I can now see how lucky I was. Clear and understandable, packed with knowledge, and overflowing with useful examples; I would recommend this to anyone looking for a book to learn C++ from, and would even recommend it to more experienced users as a supplement to use on days that require more than coffee to get the ball rolling.

C++: A Beginner's Guide, Second Edition

This is a very good book on starting C++ study.
Book was received in good order as stated.
Satisfied with purchase.