1 comments about C for Engineers and Scientists: An Introduction to Programming With ANSI C.

1. This is the book I used for my "C for Scientists and Engineers" class that I had many moons ago. I like it. The material is general enough that the fact that it's fairly old doesn't hinder the learning experience (especially for a beginner), and is still applicable. There is the occasional typo (one of which causes an unintentional infinite loop in one of the examples), but not enough to shadow the good material.

1 comments about Practical Image Processing in C: Acquisition, Manipulation, Storage (Book and Disk).

1. Source code isn't complete in a book. TIFF.H and TIFFIO.H are missing, then I can't compile the programs. Please sendme errata if possible.

2 comments about Classical and Quantum Computing: with C++ and Java Simulations.

1. The topics discussed are quite advanced. Typically these are covered in very theoretical books, that describe high level abstractions, with little in the way of code for the reader to experiment with. Hardy offers a different approach. There is still an advanced treatment of the topics. Where these range from cryptography to genetic methods to quantum computing and others.
   
   But he gives you C++ and Java code, to simulate various systems. A great benefit in aiding your understanding of what are often research level matters. In which case, if you are a new researcher, like a grad student perhaps, then you might be able to get up to speed quicker.



2. This book is easy to read, and easy to follow with a wealth of information and hands on exaqmples that put you in the context in the right manner leading you to a better understanding of the subject matter. The author goes all the way from classical computing and its digital logic to the quantum computing world with examples in C++ that help concieve the inherent massive parallelism of Quantum Computers.
   
   Comparing this title against others, this does stand out as a favorite for me. The ability of the authers to start from the classical and drive the reader to the quantum world flawlessly truely stands out; especially with C++ simulations described in the book. Two thumbs up indeed.

5 comments about Sams Teach Yourself Database Programming with Visual C++ 6 in 21 Days.

1. This is a great book if you have MFC programming experience but very little database knowledge. It's as if the book was written for me. It's easy to read and it's a great introduction to database programming. You'll learn about SQL, ODBC, OLE DB, ADO, etc. I'll admit that I used to get mind-boggled by this "acronymic hell", but this book gives a great overview and everything finally makes sense. It helps if you have some understanding of COM (ie: what it is and what it's for), but it's not required as it's covered in later chapters. The author presents pros and cons of many different database technologies and provides clear programming examples. Obviously the other reviewers that complained about the examples didn't bother *reading* the book. Some of the examples require that you modify the code depending on where you've installed the sample files. However, these guys probably thought they could learn everything about database programming by cutting and pasting the example code into their programs. I would think that if you're going to buy a book, you should seriously consider reading what's inside...especially if you intend to add "database programmer" to your resume. Duh!



2. This book is a total waste of time and money. The examples in the book are so high level that they don't get down to the details needed in writing a good database application. The book fails to explain any of the object functions or their arguments so you must research the information yourself in A DIFFERENT BOOK. The examples compile but don't necessary work. Don't WASTE YOUR TIME LIKE I DID.



3. If you're reasonably experienced with C++ (in the Windows realm) but lacking in knowledge of the latest Microsoft database technologies, this is a terrific book to buy. I found the examples to be helpful, and the way the book is written makes it seem like you have a Guru right over your shoulder helping you along.

   I strongly disagree with the negative reviews presented on this book; I found the text to be accurate and informative and the text covered a variety of useful topics. Those who had trouble getting the demonstrations to work properly may want to brush up on their basics* a bit, although this book doesn't require overly extensive knowledge of MFC.

   * (Such as actually stepping through the code to see that the problem was your fault.)




4. This book is one of the few that gives you a C++ approach to ADO for accessing databases.

   While I'm semi-comfortable with the Windows internals (thanks to Richter), I came into this book with zero knowledge of COM and the MFC (I'm from the Unix world). Knowing MFC and COM would help immensely, I was still able to get my C++ database up and running within about four hours with this book.

   I'd prefer a revised version that tosses out the MFC and instead does I/O with iostreams. If you can filter the MFC stuff out, the basic information seems to be there, and the book paid for itself on it's first day.




5. I had a really hard time obtaining this book. For some reason, the publisher seems to have stopped printing it. The most recent edition was printed in 1999, so it is not that old. It really is a wonderful book. It does what I need most from a programming book - it explains a concept and then walks you through how to do it step by step. The book is extremely hands-on. After much searching, I was finally able to locate the book by means of an online used/out of print bookstore.

   Another thing I like about the book is that it uses Access as the database for all of the exercises. While SQL Server is important to learn, using it introduces another set of connection problems that you don't get with Access. I liked being able to learn the C++ database concepts without that extra level of headache.

   The book covers all the major database topics in a way that is thorough and easy to understand. And most importantly, it shows you how to actually use the stuff. It is worth the struggle to obtain it.

5 comments about The Waite Group's C++ Primer Plus (The Waite Group).

1. I am very impressed with the book. The author's explanation is lucid and easy to read. It covers all the important topics with solid example. Author maintains the pace nicely so as to keep the reader's interest. I have been using this as my primary reference book on the topic.

   I strongly recommend this book for beginners.




2. i'm 3/4 through and have been studying the book for a while now. so far i'm pretty happy. the authors writing style is pretty clear and the book has a good deal of information in it. however i feel he could be a little more concise with some explanations. it is definitely one of the better programming books i've read but nothing really great stands out about it.



3. This is the be all C++ guide. Covers C++ the way a computer scientist would want to read it, but the author writes it so as anyone canunderstand it. Covers all the C++ theory and gives practical real world scenarios to go with it. I also recommend the Waite Groups Objects book.



4. I've found things in this book that advanced books didn't cover (or didn't cover well).

   Prata takes you through the features of C++ in a very straight forward, understandable manner. His writing skills are such that he knows when a little history on C will make it all fall into place, and when it won't. His writing is clear and friendly, but without the liability of being too wordy (which is often the case when attempts are made to present abstract material in an understandable format).

   As I've worked through the book, I've found myself saying over and over, "This is an excellent book."

   He also covers nuances, which are, quite often, the very thing preventing your program from compiling. He does a very good job of providing a solid high-level overview so that the reader goes into the details with an understanding of context.

   I like the book. I'm glad I bought it, and I'd buy it again.




5. I hate programming books who describe something in vague terms and without examples. This book is the opposite and is great in teaching even new programmers how to use C++.

2 comments about Taming C++: Pattern Classes and Persistence for Large Projects.

1. It is a great book but certainly not for beginners. Explains a new concept of Pattern Classes which encapsulate design patterns. One thing missing is however that the book should have given the details of the patterns by the author, in a more organized manner. They are haphazardly spread through the book. (Not really that haphazard but actually, difficult to find unlike the Gamma et. all book which describes the patterns in a catalogue form.



2. Easily the best programming book I have read in years. Takes a hard look at structuring very large scale programs into class and data / object relationships to remove 'spagetti object' coding style that is so prevelant in many C++ programs existing today. Since 1997, I have directly implemented many of the techniques discussed into my object library, and the payoff is tremendous. Needs a careful and thoughtfull reading; the more experience you have, the more this makes since. It is way beyond, and in an oppisite direction, of what college teaches.

5 comments about C++: A Dialog: Programming with the C++ Standard Library.

1. Who's Afraid of C++ was, and is, without a doubt, the single most engaging "complete beginner's" introduction to C++ and, just as importantly, high-level programming in general, that I have ever come across. Beyond the clear exposition and meaningful examples, the most inspiring element of that book, is the dialog between a teacher and his student. It is a classic.

   "C++: A Dialog" is, for the most part, a sandwich-ing of "Who's Afraid of C++?" and "Who's Afraid of More C++". The index has been cleaned up, ditto on the Table of Contents, and the same goes for the text at large. However, the exploratory and friendly spirit of the original(s) lives on, and is, indeed, emboldened by the more professional, tight layout.

   This book will give the novice programmer, and the non-programmer alike, a firm grasp of what is going on inside their computers, when a program is run. That of course, is only a prelude to an engaging, thorough look at the C++ programming language, first from on high, then down low, into the nitty gritty details, and then again from a high level. And all the while being conscious of what comes next, where to go from here.

   If you are thinking of picking up one of those "I guarantee I can teach you C++ while you walk your dog" or "C++ for Goofuses" books, do yourself a favor and spend a month or so, getting to know this book, and its two heroes.




2. I went through it, and loved every page. The approach I found was interesting specially for those who are somehow afraid of C++. Interestingly enough it give me few insights that were some-where out of my site.
   
   Also, I recommended it for those who were offering C++ as first programming course to college students, and seasoned programmers.



3. The best way for a beginner to learn a language as beautiful and as challenging as C++ is by asking questions. Steve Heller tries (and I must say, successfully) to achieve the same by adding one-on-one conversations with a beginner. And by having these conversations, Steve has got a chance to answer even those beginner questions that a seasoned programmer would ignore as being too obvious.

   One more very important element in teaching a beginner is to get him some hands on. The "Home Inventory Project" does precisely that.

   Another factor that caught my eyes just when I opened the book was that this book doesn't try to spoon feed the C++ language, it tries to help the beginner see and realize 'Programming'. It helps the beginner understand the flow in which the program would run. I've seen so many "so called" C++ programmers who don't even know what a 16-bit register means.

   Overall, a great book, but only for a beginner. C++ is a language that is really harsh on a beginner, and so, teaching the same to someone who might not have written a single piece of code before, is a tough task. Steve has done a great job in doing so. But this book can't be a C++ reference as some reviewer said. Stroustrup's The C++ Programming Language is still THE reference that one needs.

   I sincerely think Steve should consider helping the seasoned programmers by coming up with a "C++: A Dialog++" now.




4. It is a very good book which explains everything from top to bottom, not only about programming but the whole process in your pc that gets involved. It is nice to read although some questions from the female are a little bit 'too much' but hence, if I get it at once doesnt mean everybody does, and backwards so. 5 Stars



5. I am amazed at the reviews here. This book is horrible, IMHO. It is uttlerly bloated w/ unecessary, repetitive writing.
   
   I have no idea why the editor didn't cut about 1/3 of it (no kidding) b/c you will be wasting a lot of time wading through sentences that just add no value whatsoever.
   
   I bought this book based on the reviews here, I am VERY SORRY that I did.

3 comments about Practical Object-Oriented Development in C++ and Java.

1. Useful for its comparison of how OOD models are translated into C++ and Java. An okay book for developers who have had some experience of OOD and C++ or Java development. However, for the experienced designer/developer there are better books that deal with OOD/UML and C++/Java separately (authors that come to mind are Fowler, Gamma et al, Meyers, Murray, Booch, Rumbaugh and, of course, Stroustrup)



2. This is an excellent second book on C++ or Java. Although I was an experienced Fortran programmer, I needed to learn C++ in a hurry for a career change. I read Kernighan & Ritchie, another book (which I never look at) and this one. I'm constantly referring back to this book in my work. It is strong on OO concepts, and good programming practices. It even shows you work arounds that allow you to emulate OO Java features that don't exist in C++, like virtual construction. I'm crazy about this book!



3. I am a student of Information Systems Science and few weeks ago got my first job as a software developer (Java). During college courses I often wondered how the courses and textbooks would actually map to real life work as a professional programmer.

   Now that I have some experience as a new pro, I know that many books and courses just don't deliver as far as real work is concerned. But I noticed that there were couple of books that were of constant help during a(ny) day at the office. Those books were the Core Java 2 books and Core JSP book of the Core series edited and partly written by Horstmann.

   After finishing my first programming task, I noticed that knowing the syntax was far from enough in my job: I was not just a programmer "monkey" implementing someone's design. I was hired to be a developer who had to design his stuff from scratch, often without any help from the company staff. I began to hunt for a good yet simple design and architechture book that would explain a simple design process and also give pointers on how to implement the design into decent code. The Rational Unified Process that was explained to us in lectures was way too huge a system for me to use on small scale projects.

   I had hard time finding books that would fill the bill, but I managed to find some. Because I had good experiences from Horstmann's previous work, I bought this book.

   Good news: the book is good and does it's job more than adequately.

   Bad news: even the title has 'Java' in it, this book does everything in C++. It wouldn't matter so much if the book was mostly about design issues, but it covers lots of C++ specific details like STL, memory management, multiple inheritance, etc. It also has two moot chapters: A C++ crash course and a Java crash course. Who buys this book to learn either of these languages? The preface says this is a book for the reader who knows the syntax already!

   So, I would have given the book 5 stars, but I want to drop 1 or 1.5 stars because I had to skip entire chapters because the book was not a match with it's title.

   I would have loved to exchange the language crash course chapters for a couple more detailed design and architechture chapters or some sample projects.

   For a C++ programmer with basic understanding of syntax: a five star recommendation, for a Java programmer with basic understanding of syntax, 3.5 star recommendation.

4 comments about Essence of C++.

1. ...but all I wanted was to be introduced to general programming terms and concepts and this book was very useful for me! (The other similar book I tried -- one by Greg Perry -- was very, very verbose.) Although I played a little with Bloodshed's free Dev-C++, my real gain is that now I understand my three, once cryptic JavaScript books.



2. Well writeen, simple and efficient. It covers various program design methodologies and gives some good examples. Highly recommended to those who need an introduction to program design



3. A better title would be the Essence of Non-Object Oriented Programming (using c++ as illustration).

   The final paragraph of the last page of the last chapter includes the following:

   "Then you will need to learn about the additional concepts of classes and objects, inheritance and polymorphism. ... See the bibliography for books on the subject".

   The title states that it is to be the essence of programming in c++ book, yet includes neither 'class' nor 'object' in the index. This could mislead many of those who think that they will gain any experience of how to write a serious c++ program.

   As a book on procedural programming, I am sure it follows a well tested route through this approach.




4. This book is excellent at teaching the basics of c++. If you are trying to learn object-oriented c++: this is not the book. If you don't know c or anything and want a good framework, variables, if statements, loops,basic console input and output, pointers, arrays, functions, file input and output, strings and others then this is the book. I usually buy 2 books instead of one all encompassing book. The first book is the foundation so that I can understand the second in a more complete manner. Note: if you are using visual c++ or even c++ builder (definitely worth a look by the way) this book may confuse you since they are both tied into a graphical way of designing programs, and this book is a total beginner's book. If you are starting out with one of the free gnu compilers (e.g. Bloodshed Dev-C++) or something basic like borland c++ 4 then this book will be great and easy to follow. Then you can learn how to make classes and objects.

1 comments about C++ Programming for Technology.

1. This book has to be on of the best books that I have used or owned for learning and using C++. The examples are plentiful and offer tremendious help. The writers realize that good examples are essential to learning and using C++. I have owned this book for a few weeks and it has become my favorite reference. Those of use that are learning and currently trying to tame the C++ beast will love the great examples that really relate to situations and problems we will encounter in real life. Being a student that uses Visual C++ and Borland C++ I will give this book 10 stars and will take my example to school for my department and show them what a real textbook should look like!