Hello everyone, just signed onto the forum. I'm learning C++ without any prior coding experience and I've bought "Beginning C++ Through Game Programming, Second Edition." which seems to be an excellent tutorial. But Christmas is coming up and I need gift ideas for myself. What C++ reference books would you suggest?
What reference book on C++ should a beginner buy?
Buying another book may not help.
Consider a subscription to something like www.gameinstitute.com, so you can follow a more structured and practical way of learning C++. I paid for one earlier this year ($99), and while I didn't need the C++ section, others I know have found it to be very helpful. My main focus was the Unity3D lectures/tutorials on there.
You can also find an incredible amount of free sources of information for C++, so use a search engine to your advantage.
Since you're asking for a reference book I would suggest this: http://www.amazon.com/The-Programming-Language-4th-Edition/dp/0321563840
I'll second the above book and add that anything you buy make sure it supports c++11 (and/or isn't more than a few years old) things changed a lot with c++11.
Also:
http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Language-2nd-Brian-Kernighan/dp/0131103628/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387304755&sr=1-1&keywords=c+programming+language
It's about C... but knowing C helps c++
Also:
http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Language-2nd-Brian-Kernighan/dp/0131103628/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387304755&sr=1-1&keywords=c+programming+language
It's about C... but knowing C helps c++
I disagree. Knowing C is useful in and of itself, but if you want to learn C++, learn C++. The two languages have diverged significantly.
Have some C++ student book for general information,
then buy a book for programming for Windows,
after that buy a book for programming in DirectX,
instead of starting with the game programming book for DirectX.
Ofcourse you can choose other options like for Linux or OpenGL, just a example.
Please note : most gameprogramming books dont give you everything, last page Always refers to buy another book instead,
so your better off with that complete C++ book anyways.
greetings