Customer Reviews

C++ Primer Plus (4th Edition)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't think I could have asked for a better C++ guide than Steven Prata's C++ Primer Plus. I started learning the language flat-footed, that is, I didn't even know C. I am now writing C++ professionally and 95% of everything I know about the language came from this book.

Prata is a master instructor. His examples for illustrating classes, inheritance, and language syntax are almost always clear and helpful, as are his practice problems. He is also a great technical writer. In these days when most software instruction books read like they are written by the computers they are supposed to help us deal with, "C++ Primer Plus" has a refreshingly human tone of voice.

Be warned, you won't find absolutely everything in this book. I would have added a few extra pages to include a couple of things in the STL that Prata decided to leave out. And, if you're like I was and don't know C, you will find that "C++ Primer Plus" will leave you missing out on a few very helpful features of C, like variable length argument lists and several I/O routines. Kernighan and Richie's "C" book is a much recommended supplement. But, given the size of C++, it was inevitable that something would have to go. Any other C++ book will have similar problems.

Eminently readable, largely comprenhensive, it's a great way to learn C++.

I learned C++ from the Second Edition of this book, back when I was in high school. I would go so far as to say it was the single most useful reference I had...the examples were clear and concise; while the book is not as detailed and will not take you to an expert level of C++ programming, it gives you a very solid grounding in Object Oriented concepts, and is an invaluable base to begin from. I've seen friends try to learn C++ from other books, and then look through my Second Edition of this and simply gush about how much easier to understand it is.

Concepts I learned in this book, I've used as a video game programmer (working with DirectX and C++ under Windows), and even as a Java programmer; the grounding in object-oriented design you get from this book is solid enough to carry to things other than C++ quite well.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough; it is NOT the only book you will want for learning C++, but it is definitely one of the first and most valuable!

Having bought a few of the books recommended for C++ rookies I would definitely say this is the best. The explanations are clearer and have more depth to them than the other books, there are revision questions at the end of each chapter and programming exercises too.

I really think this book is a real bargain provided you are prepared to work hard at learning the language. C++ is tough to learn but if you read ( and sometimes re read ! ) the material here, complete the questions and exercises, you will definitely finish the book as an intermediate C++ programmer.

The only criticism I have is that it would've been good to have example program listings/answers for the programming exercises that are set at the end of each chapter, so you could tell if you were approaching things correctly.

Overall this is an outstanding introductory programming book , and if you are a beginner and can afford only one book, make it this one.

Intro
"There is no one book that is best for every person. There couldn't be one. People are too different in the way they learn, in what they already know, in what they need, in what they want, and in what kind of effort they are willing to make." Bjarne Stroustrup (The creator of the C++ programming language.)
I always try to remember this whenever I have to judge a writing effort.

Whom is this book for?

This Book is for a non C++ programmer, a beginner to intermediate C++ programmer interested in learning the fundamentals of C++, some backward compatible features related to c, and some advanced C++ features.

What does this book offer?

C/C++ Basics. (Very nice converge)
Pointers, arrays (I finally fully understood how they work "or at least that's what I think")
General Programming basics (Some what but the writer doesn't claim to do)
Introduction to OOP (Just an intro)
C++ OOP Features (Very Good coverage)
Advanced Features "Namespaces, Generic programming, Exceptions " Brief but thorough.
STL (Brief but very good)

What I liked?

This has been one of the easiest books to follow from a collection I have read it builds up information in a very nice way (and yes as somebody said while reading some parts you would feel that you are in a classroom with the instructor answering some of the questions you have in mind before asking "Some parts").

What I didn't like?

Ok, I am never satisfied.
I feel that the book should have offered more (computer science basics like the Dietels do). Or that is what I wish.
As some body said the writer seems to have more experience with C than C++ I may have to agree but this doesn't mean that he came out short. Anyway you are not going to get the same OOP Intro as the one you'd get reading the "Thinking in Java Book" but never the less.
Damn the Typos are annoying.

Conclusion.
A very good written book not a classic though (I have a very high standing regarding classics).

If you are looking for a book to start learning C++ then you have found it!This is a very good book that helped me in my first C++ steps.

This isn't a book for c++ gurus who are looking to learn a few more state of the art tricks, nor is it a heavy reference for programmers of that class. However, this book is a superb starting place(primer) for new programmers and/or new to c++ programmers. It also does an admirable job of serving as a reference book. (...)

To sum it up: If you are new to C++, buy this book now! If you are still learning the trade as a C++ programmer, this book will help to refresh your memory and/or help you to get a better grasp of OOP concepts. If you know C++ very well, go elsewhere;)

I just finished my C++ course using this book and remember, this is just a primer...nothing more.

It's biggest strength is helping to understand C++ and applying it's code at it's simpliest level. The book helped me to develop a C++ foundation.

The book needs to be read. It wasn't a good reference guide until after I read the material. Prata's examples are solid. He reuses his code to illustrate the differences changing a few lines of code will do and explains his examples very well.

BUT!!! on occasion his examples are erratic, showing only one or two lines of code. I had to read his full examples and re-read his explanations. Also, the book falls short when showing examples of coding traps and pitfalls...

Overall, its a very good book to develope a foundation on. It covers just about every topic there is in C++, giving a broad understanding of the language. If you are new to the language, this is a must have in your library.

I would just like to add that, at the time of this review, all of the source code used in the book is available on the book's website, as well as selected solutions for the programming exercises. As I can't post the URL here, I'll just say it's on page 20. The code is relatively easy to find; search for the book's name, and go into the Download section.

As to the book's quality, I echo the sentiments of previous reviewers in that it is quite detailed, well written, and easy to follow. The end-of-chapter quizzes and exercises are a great way to put the knowledge you learn into action. It has cleared up quite a few things that I didn't fully understand before, and I recommend it highly.

I pretty much learned how to program in C++. I think he makes it very clear in his examples and the fact that he has so many scripts is great (In response to Prata's review, self typing scripts is one of the BEST ways to learn a language.). Anyways Im a game programmer and I love this book. Its a great way to start out.

I think this is the best C++ tutorial I've come across. I used this book a few years ago to learn C++, without much experience in programming, and in a few weeks I became quite skilled with the language, and I think I owe it to this book.
It is written in a very friendly tone, with thorough explanations and good examples. The exercises at the end of each chapter are not too easy, yet not to difficult. Following them will get you a deep understanding of the language (and programming in general).