Customer Reviews

Beginning Visual C++ 5 Programming

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book helped me a great deal in learning Visual C++. I used VC++ 6.0 in following the examples; they all apply and as far as the book's teachings are concerned, there's no real difference.

I'm writing this review because I've been a lightweight VB programmer for a number of years, and it's been a long hard road to learning VC++ and 'real' Windows programming. I have been really fed up with reading reviews on Amazon that debate obscure, geeky codemonkey points and don't really address the essential question: CAN I LEARN C++ BY READING THIS BOOK?

With this book, I'd say sort of. I found that I had to put the book down after the first few chapters and go to another book (Learn C++ in 21 Days by Jesse Liberty) to really get solid on some C++ concepts which this book does teach, but goes through them at such a speed that you don't really get a grasp on them. After that, I returned to the book and found it a much better experience. You'll see this theme repeated in the other reviews here: there's a ton of stuff taught here really quickly, perhaps too fast for you to truly get a handle on it. You will need to supplement this with other books, but I think that's a basic truth about trying to tackle any programming topic as vast as this one.

Ivor Horton writes well and in a friendly, approachable style. The code is good; there are a couple of errors, but at the Wrox website there is extensive errata and the full code available for download, and the couple of problems I had were solved with the support that I found there.

Mr. Horton does a good job at explaining an extremely complex language that has a very steep learning curve. In several hundred pages you learn how to: Program, Program in C++, Program in Windows with C++, Program in Visual C++ version 5.0, Program OOP designs, Program using the Active Template Library.

As an experienced VBA programmer (4 years) and as a full time employed person it took me four months to complete the book. I've learned an incredible amount! I think the ONLY point where the book may be a little weak is in understanding the MFC behind the scenes. I just wasn't sure WHY I was doing some things, especially when we arrived at Windows programming with MFC. However, if that was explained also, it may have taken even more than the 1100 pages to explain a beginning topic.

I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who has some programming experience and wants to move quickly to the cutting edge of Windows Development.

This book is THE best that i've come across in my long search of c++ books. The book blows away the popular myth that "you need to know c before you can even start c++". It teaches you c++ from a novice programmers point of view and does not assume you to be a c guru.

Another one of the book's virtues is that, everytime it encounters a new topic, it starts from the basics, moves on to the intermediate and then also the advanced features of that topic.

Ivor clearly explains every single concept that goes into plain C++, Visual C++, and Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) programming. I would not, however, recommend this book to someone who has totally zero programming experience in any language. If you do have experience, though, this book is for you! It includes many examples, all tied in with useful explanations. If you have experience in any other programming language and wish to learn C++ or the Windows aspects of C++, this is the absolute perfect book. I could not recommend anything else. Many cheers to Ivor!!

This book gets a good rating in my book, it teaches C++ good for the first about 7-9 chatpers of the book but after that it moves on into MFC which I really dont feel like learning. And I still haven't to this day. The C++ section of the book is pretty good, and the section on classes is excellent. If you want a book on C++ but really want to know more on classes, this is a good begginers book to get on it, along with some teaching of MFC as well.

For every new topic the author discusses from the very beginning to the hard parts. This book is for c++ GUI beginners, NOT for c++ language beginners.

I loved this book. I'll also buy other books written by him, such as the MFC book.

I took a college introductory course on C++ and was disappointed w/ the book we used. I picked this book up and my knowledge of Visual C++ has increased ten fold. This is a great Reference book and also good for Beginners w/ some programming knowledge.

With every release of Visual C++, I buy a "beginners" or "introductory" book to it. I read if from cover to cover, which accomplishes two things: a good review of the basics and detail on what the new version of VC++ brings. I was absolutely stunned at the clarity that Horton writes in. Things that I had just "taken for granted" up until this point are throughly explained. The examples are great, but it would have been really nice to have a CD with the source code on it. This is the only downfall of the book. When you have something that small to complain about, you know you have a good book. He has taken my "favorite author" award...

Highly recommended to the most inexperienced of programmers! (and even for the advanced users)

Of all the beginner Visual C++ books I have used, I still find this book to be the best.

First off, let me say that this book is not for a beginner programmer - it is for a beginner to the world of C++ and Windows programming. I would recommend a strong understanding of another high level language before attempting this book. If you are comfortable programming in Pascal or C, then this book is for you.

The book excels in three main areas: a solid introduction to C++ and object oriented programming, how to write Windows programs, and how to use MFC to your advantage. Being over 1,000 pages, this book is not for the light hearted - it takes some discipline to keep motivated, but the rewards are great. Plan on spending a good month to get through it.

The first part of the book introduces the reader to C, C++, and object oriented programming. It provides a strong foundation for the rest of the book. At times I found certain sections somewhat dry, but was able to hang in there knowing the fun stuff was next - writing Windows programs.

The second part of the book focuses mainly on Windows programming and MFC. Each chapter introduces a new concept such as menu bars, views, dialog boxes, etc. - all the way through to ActiveX controls. The best part of the second section is that by the end you build a fully functional drawing program. This kept me interested and motivated knowing that I was building a real world application.

All in all, I think this is a great book. It has served me well in my summer internship writing Windows applications. I highly recommend it.

This book definitely deserves a five star rating. Ivor Horton does a thorough and excellent job explaining C++ and Windows programming. He has a newer book on Microsoft Visual C++ 8, which I skimmed briefly while checking it out at the public library... Great book as well.
I chose to buy the previous edition for several reasons. Visual C++ 5 is cheaper now as I have many robotic, electronics, and programming projects and needed to divide my resources as well as have a refresher in C++ with more depth.
I needed a book to explain Windows programming using Visual C++ and the best book out there is Ivor Horton. He can explain concepts simply and with depth that many authors either skip or assumes the reader already possesses the knowledge.

Wish Ivor Horton wrote the new tax code for Washington DC...
lou