Learn to Program with C++ [Paperback]

John Smiley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0072225351 | ISBN-13: 978-0072225358 | Publication Date: October 28, 2002 | Edition: 1

More than 100,000 programmers owe their careers to Professor John Smiley. In this unique guide, the guru himself will teach you, in a classroom setting, how to program with C++. Learn from more than 100 questions and answers as well as real-world programming projects.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The easiest technical book you'll ever read. Open it up and see for yourself!

Join Professor Smiley's C++ class as he teaches essential skills in programming, coding, and more. Using a student-instructor conversational format, this book starts at the very beginning with crucial programming fundamentals. You'll quickly learn how to identify customer needs so that you can create an application that achieves programming objectives--just like experienced programmers. By identifying clear client goals, you'll learn important programming basics--like how computers view input and execute output based on the information they are given--then use those skills to develop real-world applications. Participate in this one-of-a-kind classroom experience and see why Professor Smiley is renowned for making learning fun and easy.

• Learn fundamental programming concepts, which can be applied to multiple languages
• Develop your C++ skills with real-world, hands-on programming projects
• Work with program variables, constants, and C++ data types
• Create and run a C++ program using Windows Notepad
• Adapt to runtime conditions with selection structures and statements
• Use loops to increase your programming power
• Learn about pointers, arrays, objects, classes, and more

About the Author

John Smiley is a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). He is also a consultant and professor at Penn State University, Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, and Holy Family College. John has consulted and created several online program-ming courses for ZDU, SmartPlanet, and ElementK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 1 edition (October 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072225351
• ISBN-13: 978-0072225358
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,349,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I live just outside of Philadelphia, Pa. I am the president of my own Computer consulting firm, Smiley and Associates, and I provide computer services to companies both large and small in the surrounding Philadelphia Metropolitan area.'Currently, I am working on a long term contract programming position doing mostly Visual Basic work, but also some JavaScript and Oracle Database work.

Over the years, my consulting contracts have included contract positions as a Systems Analyst, Mainframe IDMS Database Administrator, Oracle Database Administrator, Network LAN Administrator, UNIX Systems Administrator, and programming positions using these languages: COBOL, C, C++, Java, and Visual Basic (my personal favorite).'

In addition to my work in the computer industry, I love to share my knowledge, and so for the last twenty years I have taught Computer Science at several Philadelphia area colleges and universities---I truly love to teach.

In 1998, I wrote an introductory Visual Basic programming book, and since then, have written others on Visual Basic, VB.Net, C#, Java and C++, and I'm currently working on a book on JavaScript. Writing books is just another way I have found to share my knowledge. In connection with my books, I have also appeared twice on TechTV's Cable show ScreenSavers. Also, my Java book was used as a plot vehicle in one of the episodes of HBO's Sopranos fourth season--which was very exciting!

I enjoy sports of all kind, and have participated in the MS150, which is a two day, 150 mile bike ride from Philadelphia to Ocean City, NJ, whose proceeds will, hopefully, cure Multiple Sclerosis. Two years ago, I started running again, and have recently completed several 5K, 8K and 5 mile races.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Beginners C++ Guide, January 14, 2003

By 

John R Heuvelman (Champaign, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learn to Program with C++ (Paperback)

I am a 15 year old sophomore in high school. Lately I have become interested in computer programming, and I studied the BASIC language. For Christmas I recieved a C++ program, but I had no idea how to program in C++. I tried reading the manual, but it was not help, so I bought this book. Now, within 4 days of purchasing the book, I wrote my own program to figure how well I need to do on my final exams to get a certain grade.

I contribute this to the way the book is layed out. John Smiley brings you into one of his C++ classrooms and lets you "take the classes". This book is very simple and easy to read, and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the C++ language, but doesn't really know where to start.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just the right thing for the novice, June 20, 2003

By 

Patrick Thompson (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Learn to Program with C++ (Paperback)

This book excellently fills its stated purpose: an introductory c++ for somebody with limited or no programming experience. Of course it won't make you Bjarne Stroutrup in three easy lessons (which some people seem to believe is doable! Dream on!) It covers up to exceptions, gently and methodically touching each topic along the way- data, loops, selection structures, functions, objects, inheritance, arrays, pointers and exceptions- in a manner centered around building a 'real' project: a mark book for a university faculty. Each concept is worked into the overarching project context through examples and then insertion into the project itself. Material is presented as a conversion between the author and his students in a workshop/class setting as they work on this project, which can be a bit schmaltzy if not done well. Smiley manages to do this and avoid insipidness, yet remain on track and provide insightful answers. He way could be considered as perhaps labeled FAQ'S posed by a theoreticals student- making it more 'real'.

Okay, this isn't a reference book. No does it cover all the basics like Unions and structures, etc. But this is a very introductory book. And a very good one at that. I honestly believe that if you can't make good progress into c++ (enough to want to more onwards and upwards) with this book then perhaps you might want to consider visual basic instead. The hand-holding is effective and not belittling, focused and not driveling on with useless waffle. There is no compiler included with the book but the net is full of free c++ compilers (gnu.org is a great starting place), so download one, get the book and get cracking. c++ awaits and this guy WILL get you on the right track and programming well.

The introduction to the SDLC is very light, but a good context for how software needs to be developed in today's world were software hacking is being replaced by software engineering.

Altogther: effective, fun and thumbs up. Well worth the price. Hopefully it won't be the last c++ book you buy, but it is a pretty damn good first!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I think it's a great book, March 1, 2004

By 

John Smiley (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Learn to Program with C++ (Paperback)

Let me begin by saying that I'm the author, so let's get that out of the way.

I'm posting here to point out that the book has a tremendous amount of support materials that have never been advertised. Each of my books has a support page containing a current list of errata, downloadable files (completed exercises from the book), extra links to extra materials I have written and my email address in the event you have problems. I also run a series of online classes so that if you would like to learn with me in a more structured setting, you can do that also. You can access those materials via this link

http://www.johnsmiley.com/books.htm

I should also say that this book isn't for everyone---and you can read through some of the other reviews posted here to see why and why not.

I wrote this book for beginner level programmers, and the book is written in a unique style.

You (and I) can thank the now defunct Wrox Publishing house for the style of the book that some people absolutely love and others (primarily hotshot programmers with lots of experience) hate. The book is written as if you are participating in an actual classroom---many people, particularly those learning on their own or in an Independent study setting find comforting.

My thanks to the many people who have written to me to tell me how much they've enjoyed my books and how they have helped them achieve their goals of learning to program.

John Smiley