Reviews for Learn C++ on the Macintosh

1. A great book for beginning C programers

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, July 12th, 1999

   Many people have complained about Dave Mark's inability to think like a begginer. This is all wrong. I did NOT know anything about the C language, nor Perl, Basic, or any other language. If it was not for Dave Mark's encouraging manner, I could not have learned these basic skills (I know this because other books/web matterial felt like I was listning to a brick). The book comes with a CD that is packed with game demos, source code, and other apps you can find usefull.

   Buy this book if you know nothing of the C language. But, if you know the very basics (like creating functions, poiters, globals ect.) buy something else because this book does not cover anything like creating windows or menues.

2. NOT for most beginning programmers!

   Rated 2 out of 5 stars, June 12th, 1999

   First, I have the greatest admiration for Dave Mark; his "Mac Programming Primer" books are THE way to learn the Mac Toolbox. The problem with THIS book is that, like other programming geniuses, Dave has forgotten what it's like to know NOTHING about programming. He moves very rapidly and arbitrarily (e.g, he covers pointers BEFORE scanf !) and doesn't bother to explain many things that are second nature to him, but opaque to most people who have not programmed before.

   C is a terrible first programming language to learn anyway; it's far better to learn Basic, Pascal, or one of the visual object languages, and switch to C later. My perspective comes from teaching programming for over a dozen years to liberal arts students with little experience, 90% of whom would be hopelessly lost using this book alone.

   It's also true that a small percentage of "computer-science-major-type" people have a natural talent for programming, and for them this book is excellent. If you're that kind of person, definitely get this book. If not, be warned. If you already bought this book and wonder what's wrong with you because most reviews say it's easy but you're stumped, take heart; try some Basic or Pascal first, and go through it again SLOWLY. Most of those reviews are from programming geniuses !-)

3. A great first step for beginning programmers.

   Rated 4 out of 5 stars, December 12th, 1998

   This is a great book for those looking to learn the C programing language. It is aimed at those using a Mac, but really could be read by anyone as it teaches almost entirely platform-independent ANSI C.

   As for teaching ANSI C it does a great job and makes most concepts easy to understand by relating them to the real world. This is definitely a good book for the beginner, but if you already know C this book isn't for you.

   Its title is also somewhat misleading. While it does teach you C *ON* the Macintosh, it doesn't teach you Macintosh C. That is, it barely even mentions the Mac toolbox, which is used to program every Macintosh program in existence. Aside from that fact, and since you really need to know the C language before touching the toolbox, it's a great first step.

4. Ok for beginners.

   Rated 2 out of 5 stars, November 12th, 1998

   I learned the basics of ANSI C from this book when I was twelve. What I remember not liking about it was how it skipped material to make things easier to understand. Very bad if you plan to learn more about programming for the Macintosh.

5. Good intro to C programing

   Rated 4 out of 5 stars, November 12th, 1998

   It teaches basic C syntax and form stuff. Be prepared to get a little frustrated with the compiler, especially when designing your own programs. Plus you can make (very) simple computer crashing programs (Be CAREFULL).

   #include studio.h

   int main

   {

   for ( ; ; );

   printf(Sit on my interface);

   ;

   }

   Then use ResEdit (free off the web) to edit the menus,about box..... (not to give you any ideas or any thing) Oh yeah, make copys of EVERYTHING. And another thing, duplicate files and erase contents to try your own new origional programs