C++ Coach: Essentials for Introductory Programming [Paperback]

Jeff Salvage (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0201702894 | ISBN-13: 978-0201702897 | Publication Date: October 22, 2000

By the end of this book, readers will have a firm understanding of C++ syntax and problem-solving skills. Its premise is the same one that successful coaches have using for centuries: the more you practice a skill, the better your mastery of that skill becomes. Concepts are presented and then practiced repeatedly in the form of drills that explore the subtleties of the syntax. These drills are supplemented with real-world examples of programming problems, from the world of business, which build upon knowledge gained from these drills. Once a set of skills is mastered, more advanced concepts are presented and practiced. This book is organized into three sections. The first section provides a basic understanding of programming constructs: variables, operators, conditional statements, loops, and functions. These constructs are used to develop programs that solve relatively simple problems. The focus is on mastery of basic C++ syntax. The second section concentrates on additional features of C++ such as arrays, structures, classes, pointers, and files. The third section discusses the benefits and implementations of some simple C++ data structures to help the reader appreciate the issues of performance when dealing with real-world problems. This is the ideal book for any beginning programmer who plans to use a computer for information acquisition and processing.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

By the end of this book, readers will have a firm understanding of C++ syntax and problem-solving skills. Its premise is the same one that successful coaches have using for centuries: the more you practice a skill, the better your mastery of that skill becomes. Concepts are presented and then practiced repeatedly in the form of drills that explore the subtleties of the syntax. These drills are supplemented with real-world examples of programming problems, from the world of business, which build upon knowledge gained from these drills. Once a set of skills is mastered, more advanced concepts are presented and practiced. This book is organized into three sections. The first section provides a basic understanding of programming constructs: variables, operators, conditional statements, loops, and functions. These constructs are used to develop programs that solve relatively simple problems. The focus is on mastery of basic C++ syntax. The second section concentrates on additional features of C++ such as arrays, structures, classes, pointers, and files. The third section discusses the benefits and implementations of some simple C++ data structures to help the reader appreciate the issues of performance when dealing with real-world problems. This is the ideal book for any beginning programmer who plans to use a computer for information acquisition and processing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 661 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley (October 22, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201702894
• ISBN-13: 978-0201702897
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #887,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Do NOT buy!, April 25, 2004

By 

Michael Mazack (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: C++ Coach: Essentials for Introductory Programming (Paperback)

We used this book for my introductory computer science class. Going into my computer science class, I already had four years experience of C++ programming and asked the instructor whether or not I needed to purchase the book. Since I was so experienced, he told me that I would probably only need it for the additional exercises and programming assignments that are in it. So I decided that I would just borrow someone else's book for the assignments and I'm glad that I did. In just about _every_ additional exercise there is at _minimum_ two syntax errors. Sometimes the function prototypes wouldn't have the data type in them or sometimes they'd call functions with nonexistant parameters! It was just horrible to look at. Even worse, I don't see how the students that didn't know C++ could actually learn it from this book since just about every example in there is so errant. The only reason I rated this book as one star is because there is no zero or negative star option. If you are taking a class and you plan to use this book, do yourself a favor and purchase a half-decent C++ book that has examples that will actually compile. This book is evil, avoid it like you would the black plague. DON'T GO NEAR IT! You have been warned!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Whatever you do DON'T BUY THIS BOOK!!, February 7, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: C++ Coach: Essentials for Introductory Programming (Paperback)

My tech school teacher is using this book to "teach" us C++. I already know C++ myself, and this book is HORRIBLE. ALMOST EVERY SINGLE PROGRAM HAS ERRORS!!! If I'm exaggerating, it's not by much. If I could give this book a custom number of stars, I would RATE IT A NEGATIVE NUMBER!! A majority of the programs DON'T COMPILE without MODIFICATION TO THE CODE. If you don't know C++, you WON'T HAVE THE KNOW-HOW TO MAKE CHANGES THAT ARE NEEDED TO COMPILE ANY OF THE PROGRAMS. One exercise looks like the author thought he was programming in BASIC: there are no semi-colons to end the statements, and the if else statements looked like BASIC. I apologize for my annoying caps review, but I want to make sure that NOBODY BUYS THIS BOOK. WHATEVER YOU DO, FOR GOODNESS' SAKES, DON'T BUY THIS BOOK!!!! I don't care what the other readers say, listen to the negative reviews: they know what they're talking about. Oh, and DON'T BUY THIS BOOK!!!!

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The author does not present contemporary C++., February 7, 2001

By 

"james_dennett" - See all my reviews

This review is from: C++ Coach: Essentials for Introductory Programming (Paperback)

Very little of the code in this book is written according to the ISO C++ Standard. The author seems to have learned by experimentation, and makes basic mistakes. Fundamental parts of contemporary C++ (such as namespaces) are not covered (well, the one allusion to namespaces dismisses them as an annoying quirk of modern compilers).

Your money would be best spend elsewhere.