OK... I''m new to programming but I want to learn c++ and I''m planning on writing a MMORPG sometime this year... Haha just kidding. OK really - I have very little experience in programming (I can do a little with gwbasic, qbasic, trs-80 basic...) and have decided to start learning c++. My main question is this - what book should I start out with that can teach me from the ground up? Before you start flaming me - I''ve been to the "for beginners" section of this website and I''ve kinda found it out of date and inadequate. It recommends a book (the C++ primer i think it is) for beginners - but when I went to amazon and read the readers reviews on the book, it looked like everyone pretty much agreed that it wasn''t any type of book for someone starting from scratch. The beginners were complaining they couldn''t understand anything, and the experts were saying it was a great book - but not really for beginners. I can afford to spend money on books - but I don''t want to waste money and time on something that''s just going to turn me off to programming because it doesn''t present things in a clear and logical fashion. I consider myself a smart guy, but if a book starts assuming I know things that I don''t know... Another concern I have is that most of the books I see available were published 4 to 6 years ago. It seems to me that a lot of what they teach would be out of date. Is that a valid concern? Also, are most of the books that teach C++ compiler specific? Platform specific? Am I going to get confused if I try to use Devc++ with mingw and the book is trying to teach visual c++? Or does it even really matter for a beginner because everything at my level will all be the same? Also will it be harder for me learn with something like devc++ because from what I''ve read the ide doesn''t "help" you quite as much? Ok I know that''s a lot of questions but I''d really appreciate it if I could get all you guy''s inputs. I kinda think some of the answers you could give would help out other people just starting out. Also if you could, I would appreciate a list of a progression of books that I could work my way through (as opposed to just one starting book). Thanks matt

thinking in c++

Th thinking in c++ volume 1 and 2 are great books, and free to download from the internet.

LizardCPP

quote:Original post by LNK2001
Don''t worry too much about it. It all comes down to your level of dedication, not the choice of books. It doesn''t really matter which one you buy, as long as you avoid the downright sucky ones (*coughSchildtcough*). Personally, I really liked Bruce Eckel''s "Thinking in C++". Haven''t read "C++ Primer", but I''m sure it does an adequate job.

I disagree. The choice of book can really affect how well you learn the language. Some books will do a particularly good job covering some areas, but a terrible job covering others or be outstanding in all areas or just plain suck.

So... I recommend C++: How to Program by Deitel and Deitel. Their books always do a very thorough job covering all areas and are easy to understand. Not only do their books function well as teaching tools they also make excellent references. They also give an absurd amount of practice problems because they are written to be textbooks.

<< Another concern I have is that most of the books I see available were published 4 to 6 years ago. It seems to me that a lot of what they teach would be out of date. Is that a valid concern? >>

My opinion, No. If you are just trying to learn how to do graphics, any book covering Win GDI or DirectDraw will do fine. So even LaMothe''s Tricks (first edition which I have, 1999) is fine. I use tutorials from GameDev dated 5 years ago or more that teach me basic DirectDraw 1.0 which is what I''m using for a side-scroller.

DirectDraw Programming Tutorial

Still works just fine because of backward compatibility. Eventually I''ll learn the latest (DX 9, 10, 11 whatever it is, OpenGL 2, 3, 4) but there''s no rush. You''re not gonna make a MMORPG or a MMMMMORPG any time soon. Get the basics down, then learn the latest technology. That''s my strategy and I''m sticking to it. You can safely skip DOS and the Apple II though.

Phil P

I agree with these guys that there are some dogs out there (I hate Dietel and Dietel) but its a matter of choice too. Try checking your library too. I don''t know how many c++ books I''ve read but ''thinking in c++'' by Eckel is very very good (just google for it) His ''thinking in patterns'' is good too.

Beware of books that teach a specific ide. Like ''vis c++ in 21 days''. Its crap.

The best advice I can give is to use a lib like SDL or allegro while you learn. There is nothing like moving sprites around to help learn a language - thats the fun stuff.

most importantly, get more than one book if you can afford it.

Thanks a lot guys ... That helps a lot.. If anyone has anymore reccommendations I''d be happy to hear them.

matt