5 comments about Practical C++ (Practical).

1. I gave this book 5 stars, even though it doesn't completely cover C++, and here's why: it accomplishes what it sets out to do. Like the back cover says: "Instead of ... having you gain mastery of C++, this tool focuses on ... the most commonly used features." It doesn't get into advanced topics, like multiple inheritace. It keeps it simple, and as a result it's very easy to read and understand. It helped me big time in college.

   The only warning I would give is that the author is used to programming in a Microsoft environment, and so he uses conventions like prefixing class names with a "C" and pointer names with a "p", a few examples use the Visual C++ IDE, and many screenshots are of Windows message boxes, etc. But the code is largely standard C++.




2. This was a decent book.... however the quality was hindered by major typographical errors, and relatively few examples. It also had the potential to be a great reference book for those with a little more experience, but the lack of detail (and marginal index) hinders it in that area. Overall, the book does a decent job of reaching the intended audience, but there must be better works out there.



3. Giving this book 1 star is being nice.

   None of the code in this book will compile as is, which means its NOT a book for beginners. He has ONE page on resolving compiler errors which is very very basic and has no detail. IF you get stuck, thats the end of this books usefulness.

   Topics are not covered enough, some are skipped entirely and then used in example code expecting the reader to just know them...

   Honestly this book is just trash. It has no redeeming value. Dont buy it.




4. This book is good for those starting out in C++. Whether or not another programming language is known. It explores most of the meat in C++, and then a little more (the chapter on Algorithms will prove most helpful). If you're starting in C++ and want to buy one book, might I suggest this one?



5. Don't expect this book to explain how to enable you to call a program from the command line, there's no way to now how to get it to work unless you're shown.Since VC6 is everywhere, the author might have shown how to enable this feature.
   
   By page186, where he covers Variable-Argument lists, you'll be lost.Surprisingly, this program works, but you'll never know why based on the author's explanation.
   By the next program, author has you converting strings to all uppercase or all lowercase. Fat chance. Forgetting that he lists include files such as iostream.h, which should be iostream, stdio.h, which should be cstdio, this program will not work as written.
   There is a short explanation after this program listing. Why read an explanation for a program that doesn't work?
   Another reviewer said that every program using strings failed, maybe that's what happened here. Even if you're just looking for a review of c++ this book won't get you anywhere.
   
   You can consult the MSDN for help on these items, though you shouldn't have to. And the MSDN covers hundreds of variations on every topic. You'd be better off not going to the MSDN.
   
   I ask myself why some have rated this book so highly, others have ranked it so low. Maybe some of the reviews are shills for the publisher. One reviewer stated he'd gotten to page 50. Maybe the book is good to that point, wait til you get further.
   
   Those who stated they read the whole book and found it superb confuse me. One doesn't "read" a programming book like a novel. If you try, you'll think you know a lot, but you don't. You must type programs in, then goof around with them for fun.
   
   Anyone who "reads" this book and hs not actually "worked" the examples are kidding themselves if they think this book is a good brush-up.
   
   I will avoid books from Que publishing in the future. If all books were written like this, no one would learn C++.
   I will go on to the next chapter, but I'm ready to dump this book if I catch any(or many) more problems. If you're good enough to fix some of these errors, you din't need this book to begin with.

1 comments about Visual C++.NET for Dummies (With CD-ROM).

1. This may be a decent book for someone wanting to learn the rudiments of programming (and they just happen to be using VC++ .NET) but it is of very limited use for anyone at the intermediate level or above. I bought the book hoping it would serve as a guide to transitioning from traditional C++, but its treatment of graphical programming was at the very end and of little value.

5 comments about Computer Science: A Structured Programming Approach Using C (2nd Edition).

1. I used this textbook for my C class. I found that this book covers the detailed basic. For a beginner, it is regarded a good book to start.



2. This is the best C book I have ever seen. If you want to learn C programming language this is the only book you will need.



3. I studied from this book for my class two years ago. I thought that the book carefully explains concepts with out being wordy, which lessen the frustrations and uneasiness of learning how to program for the first time. After each major new concept, the book writes an example program. Following the programs are explanations of everything in the program. Why they write this or why use this method, etc. The exercises are helpful. However, if they have a solution guide to go with it, it would had been even better. Overall, this book is great for anyone trying to learn C on their own. It doesn't leave out anything and the concepts are explained in a straightforward and clear manner.



4. Used this text in college for C programming, and will adopt the C++ version for the class I teach!
   Easy to read, plenty of examples, and does not overwhelm the beginning programmer with useless information. Practical, easy to use...best for C programming (and it's sister text for C++).



5. i receieved the book on time but there was a huge ugly sticker on it and the cover was kind of crumpled./

2 comments about The C++ Answer Book.

1. This book contains lots and lots of practical examples which covers almost all the aspects of C++ programming. It is an excellent book for those who are trying to learn C++ by themselves. All the examples are explained in detail.



2. This book is very clear and concise. Best of it's kind that I've seen!

5 comments about Programming with curses (Nutshell Handbooks).

1. An excellent manual on the proper use of curses in programming. My one problem with this book is the availability to young children. Anyone could walk into a store and buy this. We should protect our youth from the type of seedy and (admittedly) distasteful (albeit highly useful) information in this book. They should learn about curses on the streets first. Just like everyone else.



2. While this book covers most of what you need to know, it would have been a great book if it gave the information in an orderly format. The only code is the spreadsheet (too simple) application at the end of the book. The documentation that came with sunos 4.1 is more comprehensive.



3. This book is the only general resource I could find on curses programming. Since everyone wants to make forms on character interfaces, the best way to do it through the standard TTY drivers is with the curses library. The examples were enough to prove to me that it's not a plug-in method, but that one needs to adapt one's application to use the curses library from top to bottom. It will be better to write my program with curses in mind from the beginning than to try to retrofit a finished product.



4. OK on basic information, could use some more examples. My main goal was using color with SCO/Linux programs. Unfortunatly this book gives no hint that color is even possible, much less how to do it. This book must be 20 years old and doesn't appear to have been updated in all that time. HAY!!! There are color terminals now!!! And Curses supports them!!! Xterms can be in color too!!!
   I found the doc files about "ncurses" that came with my "Slackware Linux" far more helpful than this book.
   The book is probably OK for intro in a classroom setting to give students background, but I can't really recommend it. You can get more "useful" info from a "Yahoo" search or from linux "ncurses" documentation.
   It can provide a quick reference for finding which curses function calls to use to do basic windowing and such.



5. This book was a waste. I purchase a 'programming' book to learn how to develop using a particular library, etc.
   This is a pocket guide to curses with a 5 line piece of code every once in a while.
   
   If it is new to you find something else.
   I looked at a Wrox "Linux Programming" book and found MUCH more thorough explanations and covering the same material! I guess I'll use that instead.

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 Ivor Horton's Beginning Visual C++ 6, Installation & Contents Guide.

1. I must say I was disappointed when I got this and the compiler it included is an Introductory Compiler. Whenever you compile any program it pops up a nice little window that informs you that your license agreement does not allow you to redistribute your programs. This bothers me somewhat because when I develop programs I like to compile and test each new bit of code that I add. The book on the other hand dives right in and if you have no programming background then you will feel like you are drowning in information. However, the author does do an adequate job of explaining what he is trying to teach.



2. I've given the book 5 stars simply because the contents have been '4 & 5' starred by many others already (see ISBN 186100088X)I have to say it that way because I was editorially involved with the book. That said, I'm specifically answering the US reader who rated the book but hated the Compiler...There was very minor 'doctoring' of the Compiler: you have to run programs within the product; it had a 'nag screen' come up when you compile and, for Windows programmers, a statically linked MFC( Microsoft Foundation Classes)which gave normal, but fatter code than the full priced product.Other than those caveats you're getting a $100, Visual C++ product, for close to zilch. This thing will compile workaday C++ code; giving you console apps or Windows apps.It has all the normal development Wizards and debugging assistance and has a big fat on-line help library to refer too. I'm not a "Microsoftie" but I think that's a very generous (unlimited) access to a pro developer's tool.

   Still,I appreciate your desire for more freedom of usage - maybe the powers that be are listening.




3. Before i got this book, i had NO programming knowledge at all and it sure is easy to understand for me!



4. I originally started programming in C/C++ back in 1983 and by 1988 I had stopped because I realized I was never going to make a living at it and switched over to networking. Now 13 years later I have find myself craving for the challenges that programming offered me when I was younger.

   Let me start of by saying that I'm not fan of Microsoft Windows. In fact, Windows 3.1 was a contributing factor on my decision to give programming.

   I decided to buy this book after reading Horton's Beginning C++ that a friend had loaned me. The Beginning C++ was easy to understand, filled with explanations and examples, and allowed me to work at my own pace.

   This book follows the same formula. Horton's writing is much better than most writers of this genre in general and won't insult your intelligence. For me, the book simplified the daunting task of learning Windows programming and allowed me to ease my way into it. I didn't find myself going back and re-reading sections.

   My 9 year old daughter wanted to learn how to program and now she spends more time with this book (and the Beginning C++) then in front of the TV. Now if I can only get her to spend as much time on her homework...




5. This is a great book suggested by my professor for those who are just getting into Web Graphic Design or Programming. It is the fundamental of programming which everyone can understand from an outstanding author.
   
   Not only did I get the merchandise within a 6 day period. But it comes with a complier that we can use inexpensively on our home computer instead of running back and forth to the computer lab at school!

5 comments about Beginning Game Programming (Premier Press Game Development).

1. I was very disappointed with this book. There was insufficient instruction regarding the installation of the DirectX SDK. Most of the source code is incompatible with the included compiler. After manually entering the source code into the Visual C++ IDE, most of the programs would not compile. Thinking I may have made some typographical errors or overlooked some of the code, I then copied the source code directly from the included CD and became even more frustrated that this code would not compile either. Don't waste your money on this book.



2. This book has exellent information, but the author spends little time emphasizing the basics. I am about halfway through the book and i have just stopped reading it becuase it is so confusing. I am very experienced in php, and know basic C and C++, and was surprized i found it so difficult to understand. If you can catch on quick enough though then im sure the information given is great, i expecially loved the first few chapers before the code, where he explained about api's and how directx works...



3. I've had this book for two days now and am already half-way through it and the examples. Please NOTE*** Something that is reiterated throughout the beginning chapters is that this book is an introduction to GAME programming using directx, not an introduction to game PROGRAMMING. The code in this book is developed using a C/C++ compiler, and the brilliant author uses Microsoft Visual C++. As the author mentions many times, you should be knowledgable in C/C++ to really have a good understanding of the code. That being said, even his explanations of every line of code shouldn't confuse someone at least familiar with some programming.
   
   The writing style might be somewhat "cheesey" to some readers, but I felt myself so enthralled in the book that I couldn't put it down. Mr. Harbour inspires you to want to develop games.
   
   While I haven't yet reached the 3D part of the book, I really liked the explanations on Windows programming, and the eventual directx programming. One of the best "features" of this book is how the author explains what the different lines of code actually do. Too many books give you code without telling you what it does.
   
   I recommend this book especially if you have no idea how a game is programmed. I do have a lot of programming experience, but not low-level windows programming. I had no idea how to display a window, or to 'blit' a surface. Now I do!
   
   Lastly, I've seen some people said they had trouble with compiling the source code. I haven't tried it with the given compiler, but if you download the FREE MS Visual C++ Express, make sure you aren't using a UNICODE character set, then you shouldn't see any problems.



4. Jonathan S. Harbour is an excellent author. His books are very informative and very easy to read. He has a knack for taking subject matter that would put you to sleep, and making it fun to read.



5. Besides the few mistakes that make it difficult to compile code etc. the book is very good for beginners. It starts with the basics of windows programming framework then adds DirectX, onto 2d graphics then finishes with 3d. Each chapter has questions to test your knowledge and it CLEARLY states the answers are in the Appendix which ISN'T included. I have contacted them and they just state, "nope no appendix sorry". So if you are unsure of an answer your never going to know the answer. It also has a program he uses called meshview which doesn't come with ALL SDK's (maybe I have a newer one that has it removed). So the whole section on optimizing mesh's is worthless to me (I have searched for it on the SDK ON THE BOOK's CD!! and online to no avail) Things like that throughout the book make it just a so so book to me. Anyhow don't expect a complete 100% thorough book.

5 comments about A Complete Guide to Programming in C++.

1. Attending lectures on C++: Not a clue.

   With this book: No problem at all!

   The book is great!




2. After having purchased and read many different C++ books over the last few years in an ongoing quest for C++ knowledge... I can whole
   heartedly endorse this volume... You will learn C++ from this book , buy it, study it , move ahead with your C++ journey...



3. If you like to learn from examples and illustrations, and do not have too much time to waste with long explanations, this book is for you. All the major topics of C++ are covered in a nicely structured series of 33 chapters. To name a few:
   
   -Pointers
   -Classes
   -Methods
   -Overloading
   -Dynamic Memory Allocation
   -Inheritance
   -Polymorphism
   -Abstract Classes
   -Exception Handling
   -Templates
   -Containers
   -etc
   
   Every topic in a given chapter is typically introduced in two pages, the first with an illustration and/or a sample code, followed by a clear and concise discussion of the topic, including its motivation and caveats. The discussion on pointers is particularly illuminating, as well as the discussion on Classes and Object Oriented Programming, which is after all the heart of C++.
   
   I would not recommend this book for someone who does not have any previous exposure to a structured computer language, but it is definetely a great guide and reference on C++ for those already familiar with C, Pascal, etc.



4. This is the best book on C++ ever written, even better than Eckel's "Thinking in C++".
   
   It is a very clear book, easy to read, with colors, well organized and with exercises. Solutions are provided for the exercises.
   
   I think the most important thing about this book is it's written with ISO C++ 1998 and STL in mind. Most other books teach you C++ 1989 (or even older!) and have an appendix about ISO C++ 1998 and another appendix on STL, and believe me, that's not good for you.



5. This is certainly the best C++ book I have read for auto-didactic purposes. C++ is a horrible programming language (coming from a functional programming POV, as well as a ton of ANSI-C systems and Fortran numerics coding in my past), which has unfortunately become a standard in many fields. Should it be a necessary evil to you, this is probably the book to read. Better yet: find a different line of work. All right thinking people should avoid making C++ a part of their profession. It has erased more hours of talent than MS minesweeper or solitaire.

3 comments about Advanced Visual C++5.

1. This is a good book for robust GUI develepment in Visual C++. This book assumes the familiarity of the user with C++ concept, so this can not be a book for new learner. This book can be used a reference materials for RAD. This book has very fairly dealt with all the complicated aspect of Visual C++ like DLL, Multithreading, ActiveX control, Memory management etc. Examples provided in this book is really of day to day use, so by customising those example one can build ones own application very fast without any difficulty. This book is very good for GUI development for Microsoft windows. Still there are a lot of scope for further improvement of this book. It would be really good if it provides a bit more information about latest technolgy like DCOM, CORBA, Socket Communication etc. Some example for inter process communication will be useful. By providing all these resources this book will turn out to be really a complete visual C++ book rather being a GUI Book. As a whole this book is good because whatever area it has covered it has tried to provide good information.



2. It is excellent book. Writer explained the advanced concepts of Visual C++ very easily. Any one can learn Advanced concept by reading this excellent book.



3. It is the second book i bought for learning visual C++, and I found it VERY useful, especially for those who is familiar with C++ but know nothing about MFC programming. Comparing to "Programming Visual C++ by Kruglinski", this one is more suitable for new-bee not only cos it has a good intro on VC++(first chapter) but also it uses simple and easy-to-understand language(little jargons).

   BUY THIS AS YOUR FIRST BOOK ON VC++