Customer Reviews

C++ Coach: Essentials for Introductory Programming

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

 

 

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!

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!!!!

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.

I know the author myself, because he is one of my teachers.The book is horrible, don't waste your money. Every program he give as example has mistake. Spend your money somewhere else, and don't let the stupid Salvage guy get your money.

The author of this book does not know the C++ language. He makes every typical mistake a book could make -- main returning void, use of pre-standard headers, fails to mention namespaces except as an annoyance present in some new compilers. This might be more understandable if the book was written before the C++ Standard was published in 1998, but in 2001 this is no way to be teaching C++.

By presenting this book as a friendlier introduction to C++ (the author goes so far as to call it perfect), it's likely to appeal to people who won't be aware of how badly they are being taught C++. ...Advanced C++ users won't be fooled by the author's hype...

I was asked to tutor a C++ class where half of the students had dropped the course, and the other half were flunking it. I'm a programmer, and also a certified teacher. What I immediately realized was there are no GOOD C++ books on the market. All of them are arrogant beyond understanding, and not focused to student needs. The only one I found after reviewing 8 of them .. SAMS, Dietel, etc .. that even tried to TEACH was this one .. C++ Coach. The lesson plan is valid and professional. However, the book is extremely dated regards the pre-processor syntax and the compiler it was designed to use. The errors the "expert reviewers" here claim to be in the code, are not errors, but dated syntax. Easy enough to fix .. like #include <stdio.h> is now #include <cstdio> for the Code::Blocks compiler. Otherwise, every single example in the book runs .. and I compiled it in Code::Blocks after fixing the pre-processor syntax, and I found no other errors anywhere in the book. I even "fixed" what I thought were errors, and I got no change in the final output.
I do think better examples are needed, and the author should update the book to more modern standards. Still, I recommend the book as the only REAL C++ teaching method on the market. DO NOT BUY ANY OTHER BOOK until you have worked every single example in this one !

The author of this great book was my instructor for C++. He is a great college instructor, and knows everything there is to know about C++. This book provides excellent exercises to help learn the language. Not only does it have all the right information and exercises, but it he was able to use his wonderful sense of humor to make learning C++ fun! -- Two thumbs up! A must buy!

This book clearly is aimed at non-technical programmers--that is, people who will work in IT, not CS, for a living. The drills were a cool way to master language concepts. The author presented the language details in a way that I could grasp. For example, functions is broken into a series of small, more predictible functions that were understandable. If you want a non-intimidating book to learn C++, this is a good one to have.