5 comments about Teach Yourself ANSI C++ in 21 Days (Sams Teach Yourself).

1. I bought this book because I had to learn C++ very quickly for work. I was not disappointed at all. I stayed right on schedule and gained a good working knowledge of the C++ language. I think that the directed learning style of this book is great. I have years of experiance in C, COBOL, Pascal, assembler, Lisp, and many scripting languages, so I may not be the best one to go by.



2. I bought this book a few years back. If you want to learn and understand C++ quickly and easily then this is the only book you need. The book is targeted at C++ starters. Full points to the Authors of this book.



3. I think that it's a good book for who'd like to begin programming



4. This is one of 3 books that I recommend if you want to learn C and C++. In fact, I think so highly of it that I have had to purchase it several times because I keep giving my copies to friends (who also think highly of it).



5. This book will really teach you C++, it is richly detailed with hundreds of code listings that I was able to type in and compile. It starts very basic and leads up to more complex data structures, classes and objects as well as pointer and references. It is rich and detailed. I really learned usefull c++!

1 comments about Microsoft Management Console Design and Development Kit (DV-MPE Software Development Kits).

1. This book is a complete waste of money. It is basically a printout of the Platform SDK and MSDN documentation.

5 comments about Introduction to Computer Science : A Structured Programming Approach with C.

1. As a beginning C student, I found this book extremely difficult to follow. The book is poorly organized and there is little continuity or consistency in the examples.

   There are typographical errors as well as syntax errors in the examples. Many of the examples are fragments only -- I spent many hours trying to understand the concepts and many more hours trying to make the code work.

   One example: the concept of pointers is difficult enough, but there is relevant and important information regarding pointers in chapter 9 that should have been introduced in chapter 4! I had to struggle with pointers for 5 chapters, and as a result, was not able to successfully complete course assignments due to incomplete comprehension of the pointer concept.

   I do not recommend this book at all.




2. This book gives you all the elements to understand C well. It gives excellent examples and shows you many implementations of C coding. This book is a must for anyone who is just begginning C programming. If you don't understand pointers or are getting confused with them you will know them very well after using this book. The Author spends three chapters explanning them in all the different ways to use them. There is a short introduction to link-list and data structures but as most authors leave you hanging these two boys do not. They have another book to follow this book called Data Structures: a Pseudocode Approach with C. Once again this is an excelent book for about the same price. This is the best $56 you will ever spend, You will not be dissapointed. Get the Book.



3. A brief look through the book is an invitation to read it.

   There are plenty of figures and programming examples, followed by consistent explanations. The most important definitions and remarks are highlighted and there is enough room to make personal notes.

   At the end of each chapter the reader will find Tips and Common Programming Errors, Key Terms and a Summary, in addition to Exercises, Problems and Projects.

   My experience of using this book in the classroom has shown that students can easily understand it. During the last academic year, 159 students out of 173 agreed that "text and other reading materials were appropriate and useful".




4. If you are a complete beginner to C and programming in general this is the book for you. It gently holds you by the hand and takes you down the merry path of discovery. First off it introduces computers and leads on to cover all the main topics in great detail including complete coverage of what is 'good programming practice'. This was my first programming book and now I am entirely fluent in 4 major programming languages - 2 years later. In 6 months you'll be a C guru. It'll be your bible for many many moons. I loved it. I still use it on occasions as it is also a fantastic reference. As a self taught programmer I really recommend this book.



5. This book is extremely poor and unclear. I would not recommand it to anyone, from beginner to software engineer.

3 comments about Visual C ++ .NET: A Managed Code Approach for Experienced Programmers (Deitel Developer Series).

1. this is a great book with huge materials and code examples about Ms Visual c++ .Net, especially in introducing Managed C++ codes. This book is a must for who wants directly using Ms Visual C++ .Net.



2. the simple examples on writing MC++ codes really helps me.
   eventhough some "adventurers" might say that this one is shallow, i can say that if you are new to MC++, --but no longer new to the old VC++, this one will help.



3. The more I look through this book the more times I look at the cover and question the title.
   
   Although, the codes samples are thorough, I found the extensive explanations of basic programming concepts a waste of space in this 1600+ page book. As I have experience with several languages (including C++) I had hopes that this book would be a good overview of Managed C++ with in depth coverage of advanced concepts. Instead, it fell short by trying to cover each chapter's subject matter from the ground up.
   
   Examples:
   Chapter 14: Files and Streams, Section 2: Data Hierarchy. This section is a two page explanation of how data is stored as 0s and 1s and is interpretted into larger data structures.
   
   Chapter 19: Data Structures and Collections, Section 3: Linked; Lists. A detailed explanation of what and how linked lists work.
   
   Reading parts of this book made me feel like I was reading an introduction to computer sciences textbook. Definately not the kind of material I was looking for as an experienced programmer converting to Managed C++.

2 comments about Invitation to Computer Science Laboratory Manual: C++ and Java.

1. I received the book quickly and it was in the condition the buyer said it was in.



2. It is a nice companion book, however if you can get it used it will save you some bucks. It is composed of simple exercises to give you a practical feeling of computing.

No comments about Cpi-C Programming in C: An Application Developer's Guide to Appc/Book and Disk (J. Ranade Workstation Series).

5 comments about Programming the Be Operating System.

1. This is a great introduction for programming the BeOS. It's a great introduction for those who have never programed before, and it's a great transition book for those who have worked with other APIs and want to learn Be's API. True, the book is simplistic and it doesn't go into any great detail of the API classes, but thats what the Be Book is for. I give this book 5 stars for more than adequately doing what it was written to do.



2. In my opinion, this book was wordy and lacking in depth. Although it contained some very good information, it taught at such a slow pace that it was more effective at putting me to sleep than at educating me. Be aware that this book covers only the extreme basics of BeOS GUI programming. It seems like the first half of a serious programming book that has been inflated with extra words to appear more substantial.



3. The title says it all. Take the authors advice. If your an advanced programmer go elsewhere, but if not (probably most of us) definitely use the book. I wrote my first simple Be program the same day I started reading the book. I can't imagine simpler explanations for what is a difficult subject.



4. If you plan on programming on BeOS systems this is the book. It is slightly dated, but not too much to be useful. That is its only shortcoming. The book is easy to follow and very informative.

   BeOS is a great system to program for, though Be Inc. hard financial times has relegated this OS to more of a hobbiest OS than a commerical product.




5. The book looks good and it was received 3 weeks later as stipulated. I do trust Great Buy Books via Amazon.com, and I have ordered other books because it's ok.

3 comments about C for Java Programmers (Java (Addison-Wesley)).

1. Most concepts are covered well, and in a logical order. Occasionally, you are told to accept things and understand them later (like the use of pointers in text filehandles.)

   Concepts not commonly used (like enumerations and unions) are covered to allow the reader to understand code they may have to read, but key concepts certainly get more page space. Special libraries are not used for things like string I/O - meaning one learns 'pure' ANSI C. In this regard, a far better text when compared to Roberts' "The Art and Science of C".

   Idioms are used - the ideas are covered, and 'idioms' (frequently used code patterns) relating to the topic are provided. A complete list of these idioms, as well a common errors and portability guidelines are included in the Appendicies.

   Overall, a good book which which to teach oneself C. An okay reference as well, but that's not what it's designed for.

   (This review is based on a pre-publication copy used by Dr. Müldner in teaching his first-year C course at Acadia University.)




2. Having learned Java in CS1 Algorithms and Programming course, I immediately started to look for C++ books at the end of the year. In fact, I was unable to make decision whether to go for C or C++ and actually confused among dozens of C and C++ books that have different approaches to the topic and have different assumptions about programming experience of the reader. Eventually, this book was the definite choice for me.

   The book starts with an example that demonstrates a simple I/O operation just to show the structure and syntax of the language.

   Other than that, the topics are generally well organized. From base to the top. Throughout the book, the author explicitly warns the reader about general mistakes, encourages to use portable code and gives several programming idioms and lists all of them at the end of the book.

   Pointers are especially described in a long chapter and their common applications are demonstrated. For my part, introduction to this chapter was very valuable as it basically explains the stack and heap-based memory, the concepts that Java programmers are not familiar with.

   There are some minor gaps that take the one star. I think there are some listings that need more explanation and some code fragments could have been inserted in a complete program to give sample output in order to make thing more clear, (for example while explaining the conversion from binary to text and text to binary files)

   However, it doesn't change the fact that you can learn C quickly with this book. It's definitely not a reference book, but self-sufficient as stated in the introduction. "C for Java programmers" title is really specific and this book really does what it promises. It's the shortest way to learn C if you know Java.

   I took that book and had worked on C intensively for 3 weeks disregarding the last chapter about module-based programming, and having taken the basics, moving onto C++ was not difficult.




3. current C books are written for beginners, and I thought this book can help me skip all the info I don't need (such as loops, if/else, etc) and learn C quicker thanks to my good Java knowledge. However it fails to do that. It contains way too many details for a java programmer, and unnecessary info for a beginner.
   
   If I would compare this book to a standard "c tutorial for java programmers" (and believe me there are many), the only positive thing would be the big number of exercises the book contains. However there are no answers to the exercises, and the author does not even reply to your email, if you ask for them nicely.
   
   Don't waste your money and get a nice C book that you can use as a reference, or use a free "C tutorial for java programmers"

1 comments about Computer Graphics: An Object-Oriented Approach to the Art and Science/Book and Disk.

1. This book almost kills two birds with one stone. This book is a great introduction into computer graphics, animation, mathematics, 3D rendering. It also serves at the same time a good way to learn some pretty good C++ code. I do not know if there will be a new edition but if you can find this book, grab it at any price.

3 comments about Visual C++ 6 for Dummies Quick Reference.

1. This is a well organized book with clear, concise information and help for any student or professional with the need to apply C++. Mr. Wright has condensed an incredible amount of information on this subject into a user-friendly reference not to be without. Best I have ever read on the topic!



2. The book that claims: "Confused by syntax issues on constants, arrays, or variables? Looking for fast solutions to writing reusable object-oriented code? ".....however on page 115 on Arrays, the proper definition should be "int Myarray[7]...and not "Myarray[6]..." It took this dummy and the compiler and another text to figure this out. A book that claims to be a reference for dummies should be bug-in-syntax free. Also their web site should have an errata section. Should I depend on this quick reference ?



3. I think this book only explains the "editor" instead of talking about programming