C++ for Dummies Quick Reference [Paperback]

Namir Clement Shammas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 29, 1997 | Series: For Dummies

This guide offers new programmers an introduction to C++, and experienced programmers a reference for language features they've grown rusty on. Covering all platforms (DOS, Windows, UNIX and Macintosh), the book seeks to enable readers to grasp the fundamental principles of C++ programming.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

C++ for Dummies Quick Reference won't impress experienced C++ experts--it contains nothing beyond the basics, and won't help you deal with unusual situations. It will, however, prove valuable to students and to those who frequently switch among programming languages.

What is the syntax for if statements? What are the rules for converting among data types? How do you access the contents of an array? The answers to these questions vary among languages, and if you find yourself needing to write a C++ program immediately after spending months on a Java contract, this book will help you shift gears. Students also will appreciate the clarity of Shammas's examples. Want to know how to read from a command line so you can get on with your assignment? He explains cin and cout clearly, without confusing elaboration.

Covered topics range from declarations of constants and variables to a discussion of object-oriented design principles. The beginning of the book is too basic, and the end too complicated. The real value is in the middle pages, which describe common but forgettable details. Here, you'll find syntax summaries for loops, conditionals, data structures, pointers, and code modules. This is the kind of stuff you need to know for every programming job, and it's good to have it so easily accessible. --David Wall --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Namir Clement Shammas is a full-time author who specializes in object-oriented programming and Windows programming books. He has written and coauthored more than 60 programming books, including Object-Oriented Programming For Dummies®, C++ For Dummies® Quick Reference, and Visual Basic® 5 For Dummies® Quick Reference (all by IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.). Namir holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in chemical engineering. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Hungry Minds Inc (July 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764502468
• ISBN-13: 978-0764502460
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,396,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for syntax and summary information, April 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: C++ for Dummies Quick Reference (Paperback)

I am taking a C++ course that comes with a very thorogh, but somewhat dense, coursebook. When I just need the syntax of a specific function or a brief refresher on a topic, the Dummies book is perfect. Functions I can't find in my coursebook are always in the Dummies book. Information is consise. Example code is extraordinarily helpful and comes with explanatory comments. If this book is used as it's intended - as a supplement, not a replacement, for the meatier books - it rates a 10 easily. As far as I have been able to tell, it is the only book like it out there. Even O'reilly has not put out a C++ in-a-nutshell book. I do not recommend this book as as tutorial for those wanting to learn C++ from the ground up.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exellent quick reference of C / C++ syntax, October 27, 1999

By 

Jeff Locher (Kentucy, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: C++ for Dummies Quick Reference (Plastic Comb)

After I learned the basics of C++ only a very few of the syntax statements had I memorized. So for the hundreds of others not memorized the quick reference is a great way to look up the context and syntax for the satements. The book also has a short example of its usage for most syntax with a description of what it should do.

5.0 out of 5 stars It does what it set out to do admirably, June 4, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: C++ for Dummies Quick Reference (Plastic Comb)

I just bought the 2nd ed. of the book again because my original copy got stolen and this book is invaluable (as the thief thought too, apparently). It includes everything you need to know about just about every major aspect of c++ in about as concise a form as is useful. I've programmed in many languages for years and this book is a tremendous time saver by virtue of how quickly and easily I can find exactly what technical minutia I might need (syntax & dependencies & numerical limits oh my). As another reviewer said it's nothing bleeding edge or anything too unusual, but it's tremendously well organized & compact, and it WILL save you considerable time rather than having to scan through a huge bloated book. I first came across this book because i couldn't find all the proper syntax to deal with direct binary IO streams in 4 other (much bigger) C++ books, and this had it where i could find it in under a minute. Though the other books did discuss it, they didn't give me enough info to get it working; this book did. Also, if you program in multiple languages like me, this book is a godsend as a syntax reference for common commands... it's so good that if you're fluent in another programming language and know the basic concepts and constructs, this book would allow for an easy transition to c++ coding.