Customer Reviews

C++: A Dialog: Programming with the C++ Standard Library

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I went through it, and loved every page. The approach I found was interesting specially for those who are somehow afraid of C++. Interestingly enough it give me few insights that were some-where out of my site.

Also, I recommended it for those who were offering C++ as first programming course to college students, and seasoned programmers.

One of the great things about this book is that it makes you realize you're not dumb just because you don't understand the techno-speak in most other books. I've programmed before so I was able to skim through some of the back-and-forth between the authors, but I read a lot of it thoroughly and got a new understanding of in-depth concepts like memory addresses and pointers. Also it is very easy reading. Don't skip around though--it's meant to be read from start to finish. Great book for beginners, and those that want to round out their knowledge.

It is a very good book which explains everything from top to bottom, not only about programming but the whole process in your pc that gets involved. It is nice to read although some questions from the female are a little bit 'too much' but hence, if I get it at once doesnt mean everybody does, and backwards so. 5 Stars

The author has taken an interesting approach: Ask a beginner to
comment on the text and then include their questions (and the
author's responses) in the text. This makes for interesting
reading and very exhaustive explanations. Also, the book is well
organized so that more experienced programmers can quickly find
what they need. The banter between the student and the author
also helps to keep the dialog interesting unlike so many technical
books which are quite often dry and boring. This book is a
"must-have" for both beginners and experienced programmers.
I highly recommend it.

I am a smart guy, but for some reason I could never grasp pointers in C++. I have read over 10 books and still could not quite grasp them. This book does an excellent job in helping you understand them. I still remember when the lightbulb went on in my head while reading this book. Now I can't believe I ever had trouble.

The dialog between the author and the beginner is great and really helps to explain why things are done the way they are.

Don't get me wrong. There is a lot more to this book than just pointers. I WOULD RECCOMEND TO ANYONE WANTING TO LEARN C++ FROM THE BEGINNING TO START WITH THIS BOOK.

I hope I can come back and edit my review. I have not finished this book yet, but I am very interested in programming and this book has been a gem thus far. I have a college education but it is in psychology. I am currently pursuing a Masters in Information Systems and Technology and trying to teach myself programming as I am interested in usability, gaming, mobile apps etc. I have a bit of ADD (attention deficit disorder) so sometimes the author(s) seem to go on and on when I'm just ready to move on, but that is probably good. Sometimes the question the author's wife comes up with are just the questions I have in my head then sometimes I don't even know what she is asking. I love computers and technology but have no prior deep technological knowledge or experience. If I see that the book has truly helped me, I will come back and give a higher rating. Either way, the book should not get any lower rating than three stars!

Have not worked my way through the entire book (and may never). But it seems to be what I was looking for: A good introduction to C++ for a hobbist with some previous programming experience.