Customer Reviews

C++ Interactive Course: Fast Mastery of C++

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I learned C++ from one of Robert Lafore's earlier books and I must say that this tops even that book. I've read about 5 books on the C++ language now and I've skimmed through about 20 more. This book is by far and away my favorite. First of all, he introduces objects in chapter 1, and you are writing object code from day 1. Many other books teach objects as an afterthought and teach nothing about thinking and coding in OOP. This book makes the user think in OOP, and the examples lend themselves well to the paradigm to get the reader thinking on the right track.

The Discussions are lame and should just be dropped. The little quizes at the end of each section are priceless, very well written. The exercises are fun, and easy yet give you a bit of experience in syntax issues.

I taught an informal C++ programming class from this book and all of the students liked the book a lot. The last 3 chapters are rather technical and offer a nice introduction to the highly advanced features of C++, though the STL is covered as lightly as possible.

Of all the C++ books that I own, whenever I have to write code this is the one I carry with me as a reference. This is a GREAT place to start C++, and I recommend it highly.

C++ Interactive is a gem among programming books. I am a self taught programmer turning professional and do a great deal of my own learning straight out of texts. When a book is as well written as Robert Lafore's is, keep an eye out for furter titles from this author. The course does not waist your time teaching procedural language applications of C++ and then somewhere in the middle begin intoducing OOP, rather from the first programming example on, Lafore uses OOP to teach C++. The examples are well written and well documented. The practice exams at the end of every section helped me focus a great deal. The programming exercises are a wonderful tool to firm up the new insights you have gained. My critical side would note that there are a few small, and I do mean very small, drawbacks to this text. The interactive sight no longer exsists, though when I used it, when it existed, the site was of limited help. The quizes at the end of every section occasionaly have incorrect answers posted in the appendix, and a VERY few of the programming excersizes you will have difficulty in coding if you are useing Visual C++. Be sure to take a look at the apendix D. Some of the info there is useful though created with VC++5.0 in mind. Overall, I have already recommended this book to several people and will continue to do so. It is well worth the money. :-)

The absolute BEST book for learning C++! But take note: This book no longer has an interactive (Distance Learning) course, i.e. the internet site has been eliminated (EZONE - Marquette press). Wrote and asked why; Sam's replied that this book was no longer in print - and EZONE has been eliminated (01/13/00). Therefore, there is no custimized instruction, interactive testing, or certification. Still, the fact remains: Lafore is one of if not the greatest authors for C++. I wish he'd also write a book on Visual C++...

The ONLY reason I give this instructional work 4, instead of 5 stars, is due to the simple fact that there has not been a release since 1996 to correct one serious flaw in the example coding that proliferates throughout this work. That being, C++ standards do not allow the main() function to be declared void (e.g., void main() ). The correct/acceptable method has been, for some time now, to declare the main() function as int (e.g., int main() ). When this 1996 release, which has not been updated, was written before C++ standards had been decided upon. The use of "void main()" is an acceptable practice in C, but should never be used in C++ (unfortunately, many compilers will still accept the incorrect declaration, as well as not fully complying, yet, with the C++ standards).

One other slight problem, for those who use Microsoft VC++, is the fact that later chapters example/sample coding uses Borland-specific functions (e.g., clrscr(), delay(), gotoxy(), randomize() and random() ) that are not supported by MS VC++. Buried in the Appendices of the book (i.e., Apendix D, pg843, "DOS Targets") is the statement that the included CD contains the msoft.h header file that provides compatibility for MS VC++ when using the Borland-specific functions mentioned.

The EZone! web site is designed well, but newcomers to the internet can easily get confused, initially, while trying to determine which links they need to use for all of the various accesses. Each course has available online/interactive quizzes and tests that follow those found in the book, providing instant test results/scores. Tests/quizzes can also be taken in any order. You also have online access to a complete electronic HTML version of the course book, so your choice of using an actual printed copy, or an online copy...you still have to buy the printed book, though.

A drawback to some users, might very well be the fact that they heavily tout the statements about being able to ask one-on-one questions of a Mentor fo! r this book. The catch...it's a gotcha...is that you can ask a maximum of only 10 questions! In my opinion, this is entirely too few, especially those who have never programmed in any other language and just starting off in C++.

On the upside, though, the above limitation is somewhat counteracted by a type of email newsgroup. You can post/send your email questions, comments, etc., concerning any/all aspects of the course material/subject. This email will be sent to every user/student "enrolled" on the Ezone! for your particular course (i.e., C++) -- there appears to be ~300 users that are enrolled in this email newsgroup. However, there are only a handful (maybe a dozen or more) that are truly active and participate on a regular basis. Some of these students will have already completed the course book, but like to lend a helping hand and stay in touch with other users having a similar urge to program. The levels of expertise from these students will be beginning to advanced and help/answers normally appear quickly.

You can obtain CEU (e.g., Continuing Education Units) credits for course completion. However, the two institutions (e.g., Marquette Univesity and Moore College) that provide you with CEU registration and credentials do require that you pass a test on the subject, before awarding CEU credits. There is no mention anywhere in the Ezone! web site, or on either of the two institution's web sites about the cost for testing and obtaining CEU's...I believe the cost is ~$100..., or how many CEU's are awarded.

Overall, this system of self-education and the interaction with fellow students, plus online testing and grading is an enjoyable process. Work at your own pace -- you will not be rushed by anyone.

Good luck to all future C++ students!

In general most college textbooks are average to mediocre, but this one should be the template or standard in how to write a brilliant textbook. If this is required by your instructor for a C++ course, you won't need the instructor. Lafore understands the 'divide and conquer' concept of teaching better than any author I have ever read. C++ is the Mt Everest of computer languages. Robert Lafore reduces it to a walk in the park. I highly recommend it!!!!

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who desires an solid understanding of C++. After (foolishly) purchasing a number of ...In 24 Hours books and being totally frustrated, I stumbled upon this book.

Lafore presents his material in a clear and complete fashion, yet in an easy to read format. This book is not about Visual C++, MFC, or Windows programming, its about understanding the C++ Language. After reading this book (and spending the time understanding the clearly laid out examples) you should be able to easily progress on to the other aspects of actually using C++ to program (the Windows interface etc.) listed above.

My thanks to the author (and I hope he considers writing a Visual C++ / MFC book in the future).

This is the best C++ book ever read. It covers nearly all the areas in C++ and OOP, but the explanation and the sample code are easy to understand.

This book clearly explains about object oriented concepts & C++. The features of C++ have explained so well with greater detail. It creates interest to Learn C++. I read 4-5 books of C++ including The C++ Programming Language( Bjarne Stroustrup, Good for reference only).

This book is perfect for anyone who wants to learn C++ in a new and great way. After trying to learn OOP and C++ from many others book with no success, this book actually taught me C++.

This is such a good book, that I feel I have to express my thanks to the author by writing this review! I have 5 other books on C++, and after sampling them all, settled on this one as the best. Going back to the other books (half-way through this one) I find this is still the best. The author anticipates those half-doubts that arise (like the usage of * in declarations as against an indirection operator; = 0 for a pure virtual function) and gives explanations that answer questions before they arise. In fact, this book also clarified a few of the grey areas I had in C!

The sessions are small, and easy to handle. OOP features are introduced gradually, so that you are writing classes from the first chapter.

Warning! 1) There are lots of errors in the answers to the exercises, but these have been corrected in the on-line version. 2)There is a really confusing mistake in the chapter on inheritance which has not been corrected in the on-line version either. But the mentor did clarify it when I wrote in to check. 3)The book doesn't touch on differences between C and C++, or OOP design.