Reviews for Thinking in C++: Introduction to Standard C++ v.1: Introduction to Standard C++ Vol 1

1. One of the best C++ books

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, March 12th, 2007

   This is absolutely one of the best C++ books. It provides a short-cut for a programmer with come knowledge of C++ becoming a guru.
   
   This book is not a text-book for C++. It is more like an experienced programmer's notebook where hints are noted and pitfalls are highlighted. If you do not have programming experience in both C and C++, you will get lost very easily.
   
   

2. Start learning C++ here

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, February 12th, 2007

   If you're looking to learn C++ as your first language, or your first OO language, good luck to you! I tried learning C++ after FORTRAN77, and in retrospect, that was a big mistake. Go and learn another object oriented language first, Python or Java or Ruby (maybe even OO Perl). You probably also want to learn a tiny bit of C, just to get used to pointers and memory management.
   
   Done all that? Good. I will be assuming in this review that you already know how to program reasonably and you're not trying to cram C, C++ and OO into your head at once. So, you just want to learn C++. If that's the case, this is the perfect book to start with.
   
   The book assumes that you're coming to C++ from C, and builds up from C++ as C with a stricter compiler, then onto C++ as 'object-based' language - objects as structs with functions and encapsulating initialization and memory allocation with constructors and destructors. Finally, object orientation (i.e. inheritance and polymorphism) is introduced. Rounding things off is a brief chapter on templates and iterators, but it's only a sneak preview, really.
   
   Only the core of C++ is covered: the standard libraries and other topics (like exceptions) are deferred until volume 2. This leaves volume one as a lean and mean exposition of the core of the language. This is quite an achievement, especially as it manages to be both comprehensive and readable. The somewhat begrudgingly object oriented flavour of C++ is also on display in this book, particularly when compared to Thinking In Java from the same author: there are interesting explanations of what the compiler is getting up to behind the scenes, which should presumably assuage the fears of the more paranoid C programmer. There are copious code examples, although the expected output is not given, which would have been helpful. The introduction to the make utility will also be very welcome to many (including me).
   
   This is not quite as good as Thinking in Java, perhaps because of its C-centric opening section, which may require you to familiarise yourself with the differences between C99 and C++ simultaneously (this is particularly apparent in the discussion of the static and const keywords).
   
   But it's still a great introduction to C++, and it doesn't waste time with the basics of variables, loops and conditionals. Between this, the second volume, and Koenig and Moo's Accelerated C++, you have all you need to graduate onto the intermediate C++ books, like the Exceptional C++ and Effective C++ series.

3. Great if you know C, reasonable if you don't or if you are going it alone

   Rated 3 out of 5 stars, November 12th, 2006

   While it is possible to grasp C++ from this text as a newcomer to programming, it is not one of the easiest or most satisfying books for newcomers, or the most efficient or effective. This is because the text straight away gets very abstract and theoretical before it gets practical; the first program you write is on page 90.
   
   This requires a lot of memorizing of things that you will struggle to understand as you read about them because they have been introduced out of context i.e. you are told how programs work 90 pages befoer you even see what one looks like.
   
   I am doubtful if there is a place for a C++ book that claims to be accessible to both C programmers and those who have never programmed. There is quite a struggle on behalf of the newcomer. I'd give it five stars if it wasn't vying for the newcomer.
   
   If you read the introduction it is clear that the book tries to take a different perspective than most, even the title suggests something a bit fruity. It is a very informal and indirect approach to the subject with long, informal explanations. This is to be expected from Bruce Eckel who lectures heavily; he has a very chatty approach that reads as though he is having a conversation WITH you, for instance:
   
   "You can see how much more readable the code is when you use enumerated types. however, to some degree this is still an attemp (in C) to accomplish the things that we can do with a class in C++, so you'll see enum used less in C++."
   
   It does succeed in the style it sets out to achieve and I'm sure that suits many people. I think the more astute and more experienced PC users will be able to cope with something more technical and scientific, and more concise than this.
   
   However, particularly those going it alone in their study and not learning through an institution will find the chatty approach more helpful than books that are meant to be read during a university degree course. These books tend to be purely theoretical and less hands-on; think Stroussup.
   
   It's really not a great environment out there for home enthusiasts but this is probably the best book out there for them. I am currently muddling through this book whilst watching the video tutorials from www.3dbuzz.com. They are super.

4. I learned C++ in 5 days with this book (with a C background)

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, August 12th, 2002

   I have a long background in C, and had to switch to C++ for a project I was working on.

   This book explains everything in an easy to understand way. Bruce Eckel has an extremely good understanding of all the elements of C++, and at the same time is a very talented writer who conveys complicated concepts in short, easy to understand sections. At the same time he accomplishes to explain everything in depth so you come out of a chapter with a feeling that you've really gained a new understanding.

   All this is comes with lots of simple, easy to understand code examples and excercices that put your mind to work and helps give you a complete understanding of all the language concepts.

   The book is a must for anyone who want to learn C++, but I found it especially helpful coming from a C background - while the basic C language concepts are explained, the book focuses on the object oriented features of C++.