C++: A Dialog: Programming with the C++ Standard Library [Paperback]

Steve Heller (Author), Chrysalis Software Corp. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2002

This book uses real-life examples carefully tested on real novice programmers to illustrate concepts in the language, rather than artificial, unrealistic examples that do not provide any guidance as to how to use these concepts in real programs. The book concentrates on the computer programming basics that novice programmers need as a foundation for learning how to write programs in the real world. It does not to teach every detail of the C++ language but provides you with the basics. It demystifies computers, so that anyone with the interest and desire to learn how they perform their seemingly magical feats can start down the road to mastery. The author had the help of a real, live novice in writing the book, to help ensure that points that are not clear to novices will be covered thoroughly. C++: A Dialog includes a commercial grade compiler that can be used to produce real programs. Heller uses a light writing style, to avoid "textbook boredom".

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Simply the best way for beginners to learn standard C++.

C++: A Dialog is the easiest, most effective way for beginners to learn C++ programming.

Steve Heller teaches C++ from scratch, through a one-on-one conversation with an intelligent beginner who asks the questions you'd ask. Heller's unique dialog format is brilliantly designed to clarify the concepts you might otherwise find confusing, so you can quickly learn today's most powerful and valuable C++ development techniques.

Heller takes you from the absolute fundamentals through the construction of a complete inventory application, including a simple but effective user interface. Along the way, you won't just learn C++ features: you'll see exactly how professional programmers bring them together and put them to work.

Unlike many beginners' books, C++: A Dialog uses industry-standard C++ and the latest standard libraries—giving you skills you can use with any standard C++ toolset, in any programming environment. You even get all the example code and a standard C++ compiler on CD-ROM so you can write and compile your own standard C++ programs on any 32-bit Microsoft Windows platform.

CD-ROM INCLUDED

The accompanying CD-ROM contains the commercial-grade Borland C++ 5.5 compiler and its associated libraries, which supports the latest ANSI/ISO C++ standards, including the STL (Standard Template Library) framework and C++ templates.

About the Author

STEVE HELLER, President of Chrysalis Software Corporation, is a developer based in Sulphur Springs, TX. His books include The C++ Training Guide, The Java Training Guide, Introduction to C++, Optimizing C++, Efficient C/C++, and Who's Afraid of Java?

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1122 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR (August 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130094021
• ISBN-13: 978-0130094025
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,289,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #82 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > C > Language

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book - for a beginner, August 12, 2004

By 

Namit (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: C++: A Dialog: Programming with the C++ Standard Library (Paperback)

The best way for a beginner to learn a language as beautiful and as challenging as C++ is by asking questions. Steve Heller tries (and I must say, successfully) to achieve the same by adding one-on-one conversations with a beginner. And by having these conversations, Steve has got a chance to answer even those beginner questions that a seasoned programmer would ignore as being too obvious.

One more very important element in teaching a beginner is to get him some hands on. The "Home Inventory Project" does precisely that.

Another factor that caught my eyes just when I opened the book was that this book doesn't try to spoon feed the C++ language, it tries to help the beginner see and realize 'Programming'. It helps the beginner understand the flow in which the program would run. I've seen so many "so called" C++ programmers who don't even know what a 16-bit register means.

Overall, a great book, but only for a beginner. C++ is a language that is really harsh on a beginner, and so, teaching the same to someone who might not have written a single piece of code before, is a tough task. Steve has done a great job in doing so. But this book can't be a C++ reference as some reviewer said. Stroustrup's The C++ Programming Language is still THE reference that one needs.

I sincerely think Steve should consider helping the seasoned programmers by coming up with a "C++: A Dialog++" now.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Reinvented, July 17, 2004

By 

Rob F (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: C++: A Dialog: Programming with the C++ Standard Library (Paperback)

Who's Afraid of C++ was, and is, without a doubt, the single most engaging "complete beginner's" introduction to C++ and, just as importantly, high-level programming in general, that I have ever come across. Beyond the clear exposition and meaningful examples, the most inspiring element of that book, is the dialog between a teacher and his student. It is a classic.

"C++: A Dialog" is, for the most part, a sandwich-ing of "Who's Afraid of C++?" and "Who's Afraid of More C++". The index has been cleaned up, ditto on the Table of Contents, and the same goes for the text at large. However, the exploratory and friendly spirit of the original(s) lives on, and is, indeed, emboldened by the more professional, tight layout.

This book will give the novice programmer, and the non-programmer alike, a firm grasp of what is going on inside their computers, when a program is run. That of course, is only a prelude to an engaging, thorough look at the C++ programming language, first from on high, then down low, into the nitty gritty details, and then again from a high level. And all the while being conscious of what comes next, where to go from here.

If you are thinking of picking up one of those "I guarantee I can teach you C++ while you walk your dog" or "C++ for Goofuses" books, do yourself a favor and spend a month or so, getting to know this book, and its two heroes.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best beginners guide to C++, January 27, 2004

By 

André Kapelrud (Norway, Europe) - See all my reviews

This review is from: C++: A Dialog: Programming with the C++ Standard Library (Paperback)

This book is excellent reading if you want quick insight into the world of C++ and computer programming. Steve Hellers unique approach in the first chapters gives you elementary understanding of how a computer works before you are presented to any code. This works excactly the way it is supposed to; it gives you awareness of different important aspects of coding & optimization right from the start. The book then continues with alot of good examples, good theories on coding and the C++ language, and probably the best OOP material you will come by in a beginners book.
The approach has some cons though: If you are a moderate fast learner, you will sertainly get a little bit tired of all of Susans' questions. But I guess that you will benefit from reading all these "stupid" questions; because in this way Steve Hellers' answers really gets hammered into your brain once and for all.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn basic C++, programming or to those who just want a better understanding of computers.