The C++ programming language by Stroustrup, it is a great book and everyone should have a copy. I wouldn''t recommended it as a first book for most people but I already knew java and I''m a very fast learner. As for java was mainly self taught, though I glanced through a bad book which gave me the basics, then I just struggled for weeks before I was able to make useful programs. I''ve never encountered a good beginning programming book, I think I''m going to write one if I ever have the time.

When your done with SAMS (i read all but the last 4/5 days) I recommend a book called "Problem Solving with C++ the object of programming" by Walter Savitch, it''s from 96'' and is designed for classrooms so this is great as a second book, heck I''m reading the whole thing and it''s my 4th C++ book. But it''s probably not easy to find either. I got mine from the library =)

And informit.com is a great resource for lots of computer topics, it also has Sams in 21 book and some nice VB books for anyone who didnt bother learning it (like me =/ ).

Oh, and if you live by chicago I recommend coming to the giant computer sale they have every year (if not find one by your house) cuz I snagged Visual Studio 97'' for $120. NO manuals though and that was 2 or 3 years ago when I knew nothing of programming =(

That and what the point of learning C??? other than structs which most decent C++ books should cover and that other way of pronting to the screen which I forgot =(

Anyone can tell me please? you know, the non cout way.

so like

printf("this be the %i time you screwed up", iFifth);

then does /n start a new line?

oh, and why hte heck does hungarian notation use n for int instead of i, uhhh....now I''m mad!

err...change iFifth to iScrews =)