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C++ Primer Plus
If you are new to C++ programming, C++ Primer Plus, Fifth Edition is a friendly and easy-to-use self-study guide. You will cover the latest and most useful language enhancements, the Standard Template Library and ways to streamline object-oriented programming with C++. This guide also illustrates how to handle input and output, make programs perform repetitive tasks, manipulate data, hide information, use functions and build flexible, easily modifiable programs. With the help of this book, you will: Learn C++ programming from the ground up. Learn through real-world, hands-on examples. Experiment with concepts, including classes, inheritance, templates and exceptions. Reinforce knowledge gained through end-of-chapter review questions and practice programming exercises. C++ Primer Plus, Fifth Edition makes learning and using important object-oriented programming concepts understandable. Choose this classic to learn th
1202 pages, Paperback
Published December 15, 2004
214 people are currently reading
515 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 2, 2015
A friend of mine asked me about a good book on C++ programming for an absolute beginner, i.e. for a person without any programming experience. At first I told him to choose a different programming language to start from, but he was reluctant to this idea, so I decided to quickly skim over few books on C++ programming for beginners to find one which would do more good than harm. So far I read only one book on C++ that counts as a book for beginners, namely C++: How to Program by Harvey M. Deitel and Paul J. Deitel, and overall I think Deitel's book is a good one. Or at least it was a good one, since I read at almost 10 years ago, so new editions might be worse.
Anyway, I decided to give few other books a try, and the first one on the list was "C++ Primer Plus" by Stephen Prata. And after reading first 200 pages and skimming over the remainder of it I’m quite disappointed. The main issue of this book is that it teaches you C++ through C, i.e. the author first shows how something can be done in C-way and only then explain the analogous C++ way of doing things. For instance, the reader is first introduced to C-style strings and arrays with all their idiosyncrasies in details and only then and rather quickly to C++ standard classes std::string and std::vector that solve most of these idiosyncrasies. This archaic way of teaching C++ is simply inappropriate in 21st century when C++ finally won its freedom from its C heritage.
Another issue is the inability of the author to concentrate on really important things without throwing an information of minor importance. Often it looks like the only reason for discussing some topic is that the author just knows about it. The author seems to care so little about is the topic actually necessary and suitable for a particular chapter, that sometimes I'm even a bit suspicious does he have any plan.
Anyway, I decided to give few other books a try, and the first one on the list was "C++ Primer Plus" by Stephen Prata. And after reading first 200 pages and skimming over the remainder of it I’m quite disappointed. The main issue of this book is that it teaches you C++ through C, i.e. the author first shows how something can be done in C-way and only then explain the analogous C++ way of doing things. For instance, the reader is first introduced to C-style strings and arrays with all their idiosyncrasies in details and only then and rather quickly to C++ standard classes std::string and std::vector that solve most of these idiosyncrasies. This archaic way of teaching C++ is simply inappropriate in 21st century when C++ finally won its freedom from its C heritage.
Another issue is the inability of the author to concentrate on really important things without throwing an information of minor importance. Often it looks like the only reason for discussing some topic is that the author just knows about it. The author seems to care so little about is the topic actually necessary and suitable for a particular chapter, that sometimes I'm even a bit suspicious does he have any plan.
September 28, 2012
I'm sorry Stroustrup and Lippman. You may have invented C++ and while many professionals read cover to cover anything you put on paper, have you ever tried teaching a course with one of your books? This book is written by a professor specifically for teaching the concepts so the student can absorb them in little chunks. Complete with examples, problems, and answers, it's a practical book for new or intermediate computer science students. Albeit not very sexy.
December 29, 2007
Pulled this down from the shelf today for some pointers on a print driver. Recalled what a darned good book this is for instruction sets with C++. Haven't pulled it since college and kicking meself for not going back to basics. Easily used with clear examples...if you can't whip up a quick currency converter using the examples from this book, try another book...or another lang.
April 11, 2019
This book covers a few topics that most of other books have not covered in detail. explanations are very clear and easy to grasp, but examples seem off-topic. I mean, examples should only explain the discussed topic and no more.
besides, topics are not covered sequentially, which can be an advantage for readers who already know C++ and a disadvantage for who are not experienced on coding in C++.
I recommend reading a more structured and easier to read book like Sams teaching yourself c++ in one hour a day, before reading this one.
and I also do recommend reading this book afterwards, as it covers many topics that previous book was not covered in detail.
happy coding in C++!
besides, topics are not covered sequentially, which can be an advantage for readers who already know C++ and a disadvantage for who are not experienced on coding in C++.
I recommend reading a more structured and easier to read book like Sams teaching yourself c++ in one hour a day, before reading this one.
and I also do recommend reading this book afterwards, as it covers many topics that previous book was not covered in detail.
happy coding in C++!
June 18, 2023
EW REVA
July 21, 2018
If someone is just beginning to learn c++ and wants to follow "know how" approach then this IS the book for you. This book will tell you everything and hardly miss out any point and it's enormous size is its proof. Despite covering everything, this book throws topics very gently and in well organized fashion.
I've tried other books on c++ too like Accelerated C++, C++ Primer by Lippman, Let's us C++ etc and I found the content of Prata's book is more easy to digest. And those who are thinking about The C++ programming language by Bjarne stroustrup then let me tell you that Stroustrup book is about "why" of the languages. You will probably find more answers there but only if you get that deep. Stroustrup book, I think, is little bit more complex and overwhelming at first. Thus, not very suitable for beginners but yes, it's better than Prata's (only if you already understand some part of it). I would suggest everyone that first read Prata and then go for the Stroustrup's book.
I've tried other books on c++ too like Accelerated C++, C++ Primer by Lippman, Let's us C++ etc and I found the content of Prata's book is more easy to digest. And those who are thinking about The C++ programming language by Bjarne stroustrup then let me tell you that Stroustrup book is about "why" of the languages. You will probably find more answers there but only if you get that deep. Stroustrup book, I think, is little bit more complex and overwhelming at first. Thus, not very suitable for beginners but yes, it's better than Prata's (only if you already understand some part of it). I would suggest everyone that first read Prata and then go for the Stroustrup's book.
Want to read
May 30, 2021If you're the sort of deranged lunatic who likes to learn a language by reading the spec, this book is for you, because that's pretty much precisely how it's organized. The book begins by dragging the reader *repeatedly* over all sorts of gritty details, notably the various lower and upper bounds for how large the types char, short, int, long, long long, are on various platforms. Needless to say, this is boring as fuck and extremely arbitrary – you'll be reaching for your cyanide pills faster than Slobodan Praljak. It wouldn't be that bad if it was concisely summarized in one table, but it's dragged out through pages and pages of insufferably dry prose. Apparently I finished half of this book when I was about 12 years old. I have no idea how. IT IS SO LONG AND MAKES NO EFFORT TO BE ENGAGING.
September 21, 2009
Want to learn a progamming language? This text is must, provided you can figure out how to utilize your compiler!
April 3, 2010
it so nice book , Interesting and And confusing, but in some cases
September 1, 2017
I'm going to try to keep my impressions of C++ separate from my impressions of this book. C++ has challenged me in a serious way, and while I admire its power and depth, often it's a bit much. Conceiving of a coherent way to introduce the many main topics and rabbit holes of the language poses a serious challenge.
Prata does his best to acknowledge everything the language offers as he guides the reader through C++. Features that could be brushed over on first pass often lead to a digression before an eventual return. This frustrates me as a reader, but it also makes me recognize that Prata does not wish to neglect aspects of the language by providing a dumbed down explanation that will fail to pass muster when the reader learns more. It's not the best way to do a book for beginners, though. There are many other books recommended for beginners here.
That being said, I benefited greatly from this book. Its depth made looking up simple question cumbersome at times. I picked up this for that purpose. That depth did have benefits though -- I'm already familiar with many of the topics that will be covered in my next C++ class having read this. If you're self-studying, or looking for an intro to the language, there have got to be some better options out there.
Prata does his best to acknowledge everything the language offers as he guides the reader through C++. Features that could be brushed over on first pass often lead to a digression before an eventual return. This frustrates me as a reader, but it also makes me recognize that Prata does not wish to neglect aspects of the language by providing a dumbed down explanation that will fail to pass muster when the reader learns more. It's not the best way to do a book for beginners, though. There are many other books recommended for beginners here.
That being said, I benefited greatly from this book. Its depth made looking up simple question cumbersome at times. I picked up this for that purpose. That depth did have benefits though -- I'm already familiar with many of the topics that will be covered in my next C++ class having read this. If you're self-studying, or looking for an intro to the language, there have got to be some better options out there.
June 22, 2020
Самая лучшая книга для начинающих, где вас познакомят с синтаксисом и основами программирования небольших программ.
July 26, 2020
This book is a good reference as well as learning resource, because everything in this book is well explained.
July 7, 2023
This is the best C++ book I’ve ever read!
October 17, 2018
- Very interesting and engaging book . I like it :) .
- I already know C programming before reading this .Nice and simple explanation of UNION construct.
- The author tells in which scenario we can use unions such as in the processor used to control oven or MP3 player where space is very limited :) .
- Inheritance and Polymorphism concept is explained VERY NICELY in the book "SCJP by Kathy Sierra" in java. I recommend reading that book first and then this.
- I already know C programming before reading this .Nice and simple explanation of UNION construct.
- The author tells in which scenario we can use unions such as in the processor used to control oven or MP3 player where space is very limited :) .
- Inheritance and Polymorphism concept is explained VERY NICELY in the book "SCJP by Kathy Sierra" in java. I recommend reading that book first and then this.
March 17, 2017
C++ Primer Plus is a good introduction to C++. However, it suffers from being too long for an introductory book. It could have been about 50% shorter.
May 17, 2021
This book aims at novice programmers, and walks through many topics with lots of working code. It also tries to provide the differences between C and C++, although sometimes lays too much focus on these differences. It also often introduces a little too late the new C++11 standard. While it might be a considerable tentative of showing how things are done vs how "were" done, the book sometimes results a little deceptive.
Too bad that no errata is available, as this book contains some errors that can confuse the reader.
Overall, this book is good for beginners, where programming concepts (and not specifically c++ concepts) are introduced in a very clear and with a step-by-step methodology.
Too bad that no errata is available, as this book contains some errors that can confuse the reader.
Overall, this book is good for beginners, where programming concepts (and not specifically c++ concepts) are introduced in a very clear and with a step-by-step methodology.
May 4, 2018
This was my first ever programming book. I think that this book is a very good introduction to programming for people who are even total beginners. Also, many of the concepts presented in this book can be carried over to other programming languages, so you won't end up just knowing some C++, but you will also be prepared for a very easy transition to other typed languages like Java for example. (My transition to Java was almost seamless after reading this book.)
I chose C++ as my first programming language and this book gave almost all the fundamental knowledge and skills to start programming. I learned Object Oriented Programming concepts first here and my perception of the paradigm and its mechanisms haven't changed a lot.
I was reading the book back in 2013 (11th grade) and I learned C++11 features from it. In University I topped my introductory programming courses thanks to this book. The exercises are very useful, so do them and save your code, because it can be helpful if you will study C++ in University like I did.
I would definitely try out other books from this "Developer's Library" series.
I chose C++ as my first programming language and this book gave almost all the fundamental knowledge and skills to start programming. I learned Object Oriented Programming concepts first here and my perception of the paradigm and its mechanisms haven't changed a lot.
I was reading the book back in 2013 (11th grade) and I learned C++11 features from it. In University I topped my introductory programming courses thanks to this book. The exercises are very useful, so do them and save your code, because it can be helpful if you will study C++ in University like I did.
I would definitely try out other books from this "Developer's Library" series.
September 2, 2020
My first true teacher to programming. After a terrible experience in my first computer science course I decided to try and get serious and take learning into my own hands. At the time C++ was the language recommended to game development and I choose this book as a thoroughly introduction to C++.
This book taught me tons about programming through it's vast example set and programming exercises. I did every single exercise in this book as a way to learn programming and I learned a ton. This book is far from perfect though, especially towards the end. There was quite a few debilitating typos that really made some passages hard to read through but Prata's narrative in this book feels very conversational and I will never forget the effects this book had on helping me become an expert at the basics in my first two years of college.
Excellent book for someone who is deeply motivated to make huge strides in learning c++ in depth for the first time. For someone with no programming experience this is definitely the way to go. If you have programming experience I may suggest you look towards Bjarne Stroustrup's book.
This book taught me tons about programming through it's vast example set and programming exercises. I did every single exercise in this book as a way to learn programming and I learned a ton. This book is far from perfect though, especially towards the end. There was quite a few debilitating typos that really made some passages hard to read through but Prata's narrative in this book feels very conversational and I will never forget the effects this book had on helping me become an expert at the basics in my first two years of college.
Excellent book for someone who is deeply motivated to make huge strides in learning c++ in depth for the first time. For someone with no programming experience this is definitely the way to go. If you have programming experience I may suggest you look towards Bjarne Stroustrup's book.
December 17, 2016
The best book to get started with c++ programming, it is well arranged by topics and covers a lot of good programming concepts and tricks, yet it needs to be updated with advanced programming concepts like meta-programming and concurrency. Also a little bit of cutting would be nice to make it a little easier for a complete noob so that it may look a little less frightening. As the book is quite lengthy.
September 13, 2014
A lot of useful information packed in each chapter. Problem is, it is a pain to spot the useful and uncommon rules. For a beginner, it would be great. But for a person with a bit more understanding of the language, the book just isn't friendly enough. The author should highlight all the relevant rules, so that one doesn't have to dig through all that text.
August 4, 2014
Seems ok for learning base features "bright future" C++. Although there are no shooting ropes in book. And I'm sure that book of my favourite language must have name "C++. Prepare to die edition", because only book's goal is to protect fragile mind from dangerous things. And not to draw bright future.
April 13, 2012
This is a great technical book and explains the depths of C++ that's easy to understand without sacrificing essential concepts. Stephen keeps up to date with new features. In this edition he included a chapter C++ 11.
October 14, 2018
První a zatím jediná knížka, kterou mi kdy Glurak dal k přečtení. A já ji ještě nedočetla.
Autor velmi dobře a srozumitelně vysvětluje, v podstatě i téměř začátečník s trochou nadšení a představivosti pochopí cokoli bude potřebovat.
Ve zkratce: Pokud se chcete učit céčko z knížky, doporučuji tuto.
Autor velmi dobře a srozumitelně vysvětluje, v podstatě i téměř začátečník s trochou nadšení a představivosti pochopí cokoli bude potřebovat.
Ve zkratce: Pokud se chcete učit céčko z knížky, doporučuji tuto.
February 6, 2014
I did some C++ programming in the 90's, but very little in the last 15 years. This book was a fantastic refresher that clearly explains the often tricky features of the language along with indispensable C++11 coverage that makes it more useful than ever.
June 13, 2010
Somehow, this book manages to be at least five times as thick as K&R, without adding anything interesting. If you want to learn C, stick to the masters.
April 20, 2012
Fairly complete overview of the basics of the C++ language.
June 20, 2015
Excellent book for beginners willing to learn C++ language. Language is easy to understand and topics are covered systematically with good examples.
September 17, 2013
Did a straight read through when getting back into C++. Comprehensive, but takes more time than other books (it's over 1000 pages).
May 4, 2015
Pretty nice book for those who have background in programming. However I think it is a bit verbose. Could be made shorter.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews