Customer Reviews

Visual C++ 5 from the Ground Up

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

 

 

I did not do much research before I bought the book. I was totally disapointed. The book saids "Open this book as a Novice and Finish it as a Pro" is misleading. You need to be a C programmer to start, and you wouldn't get anywhere after you're finish with the book. The book spend all of 40 pages(out of 700) on visual C++ fundamentals, then it jumps right into Database Management, ActiveX, Security,... You wouldn't be able to code an application using the simplest controlls after reading the whole book. The book should be titled "An overview of C++ environments" instead.

I glanced through this book at the store and saw what looked like actual code/real world programming, which was lacking in other VC++ books I looked at. When I got it home I realized the simple "Text Editor" sample program was a useless example since the book didn't build on it and expand it. The real disdain came when the later chapters jumped headlong into Databases (without a middle-ground), then into HTML. Aren't there enough resources on the net for learning HTML, if not freeware programs? What book(s) will teach me how to write Windows apps (not internet apps) using MSVC++?? What book(s) contain useable code samples that cover more than internet and text editors? The title says "open this book a beginner and finish it a pro". Did it teach me how to make a GOOD and MARKETABLE text editor? No. Did it teach me how to make any other applications (like a web browser, a paint program, a system analyzer, etc)? No. Is it worth the money? No. Note to all authors: If you write a book about a programming environment like the Visual Studio components, don't include HTML. Fill your books with CODE that generates REAL programs, not Active X controls for snazzing up web pages. Those things get put into other books, and are not an integral part of application programming.

The title says, "From ground up", but, in actuality, it's from "C up". It's not very descriptive at all, nor are the chapters categorized according to effective learning. I stopped reading it after the first few chapters; time is of essense. It had too many theories and not enough fact. If you're an absolute beginner, like I was, try "Learn C++ in just 21 days", by Jesse Liberty. That book clearly introduces the basics, and defines the terms of, the C++ language, outside of the Windows environment.

The Amazon summary is accurate-this book is not for total newbies, not from the "Ground Up." It is for people that have done a fair amount of console application practice and danced around with the MSVC++5 developer ("VC++5 in 21 Days"). At this point, I was saying "OK why did I do this?" and bought "Ground Up" because it was cheap. It was a pleasant surprise. It gives a good overview of several important aspects of software development using MSVC++5, including database design with a comparison of the different MS tools, Internet applications and HTML, security issues, and polishing up shareware or commercial apps. So if someone is learning VC++5 and intends to do more than point and click "programming" but lacks commercial development experience, this is an excellent stepping stone.

Well when i first read this book, I really thought it to be a good one, mainly because the author has given detailed explanations on database development using both ODBC as well as DAO. this was quite helpful. But On the other hand there are too many code snippets which, are difficult to understand as to what they are and what they achieve. Overall not too bad !!.

The title says, "From ground up", but, in actuality, it's from "C up". It's not very descriptive at all, and the chapters aren't categorized according to effective learning. I stopped reading it after the first few chapters; time is of essense. It had too many theories and not enough fact. If you're an absolute beginner, like I was, try "Learn C++ in just 21 days", by Jesse Liberty; that book clearly introduces the basics, and defines the terms of, the C++ language, outside of the Windows environment.

Good overview of Visual C++ and all the general topics it can apply too. But I really just wanted more details concerning SDI & MDI Desktop Applications programming with MFC.

It is just packed with errors and creates much confusion. The first sample program is Console.exe. You are told to select File/New/Win32 Console/OK. You are then told it is "Now time to add some code to our example" but no clue as to where to put it. No reference to creating a text file, saving it as console.cpp and then adding it to our application. Why is the parameter in the CDrawBox DoDraw prototype called String and called cValue in the body of the same function? This is not the book to use to learn anything about C++.

"Open this book as a Novice and Finish it as a Pro," that's what the cover says but this book is just about worthless. The author spends a lot of time telling you to click this and type that, without ever offering any coherent explanations for anything. You'll also find ridiculously out of place digressions about things like HTML. If you want to learn MSVC++ 5 look someplace else.

It's a good book but... try to cover too much in just not enough explaination in to details.