Newbie not understanding crap book. Need better reference.

[slashdot]

Ok, I bought a few months ago C++ for dummies. Mr. Davis should be fired to death for making such a horrible book that is intedended for "dummies". Ok, does anyone know of a good... possibly free, reference to learning C++? I would like something that don't incorporate words that could very easily be replaced with something simple. (ex. truncated, replaced, or cut off) In other words, I would like a reference that the author makes you feel like hes "talking" to you, and not like he is speaking his mind, acting like he is smarter then the reader, and saying "O, you don't know what I am saying? I was trying to speak at your level, but you must be more stupid then I thought."

[falsepride]

i would say not to learn from a book. there are plenty of free tutorials on the net an code examples. im just starting to learn c++, and theres no way in hell im paynig to learn something for fun. you should just try using the internet as your resource. whenever your stuck you simple "google math" and youll find what your looking for faster than you expected.

[sde]

Originally Posted by falsepride

theres no way in hell im paynig to learn something for fun.

i strongly disagree. if you are peticularly good at self-learning, then puchasing a book is a lot like taking a college course.

i took a college course in c++ and decided that the teacher was just walking us through the book. so, i figured that with a book and people who like to help out with certain questions ( like here on codenewbie ), you could get the equivalent or more than you could get out of a college class.

i think when starting a new language, a well written book is best to be followed since it's written by the same author(s) with the same line of thought and method of teaching.

once you know the basics, then you are better skilled to filter through the heaps of information you may find on the internet.

i too purchased c++ for dummies as recommended by a fellow programmer i met in that bookstore that day. i too though it was crap. i got nothing from that book.

the c++ course i took used one of those 24 hour sam's publishing books. it was well written. one thing i've learned from purchasing lots of books in the last few years is that most of them have similar information in them. when looking for a book on a specific language, just browse through all of them at the book store and purchase the one that is easiest to read and who's author communicates most efficiently to you.

then, when you have code or ideas you need help or want to share, just stop by here

good luck.

[falsepride]

i got a guitar in august, and i got a book, never touched the book. i read short page online, and i got as good as my friends in a week. experience and practice can do more than a book ever could

[slashdot]

Good to know I wasn't the only one that think that book is crap. Now I don't feel stupid, thanx. Im a visual learner, and I think also practicing, and doing trial and error, is better then reading a page that you don't understand over, and over again. Almost like what falsepride said. (I couldn't get past chapter 2 in C++ for dummies) So does anyone know of a movie or good, good book that I could look into that would give me basics into C++? Thanx in advance.

[Kernel_Killer]

I had someone in my last C++ class who tried to use that book, and it was absolutely horrible! I think it really depends on the person as if a book is a good thing or not. Self-teaching really helps me more than anything. Books, and experimentation. As for UNIX syscalls and such, I use examples of code that uses it.

If you want a decent book, I myself recommend Ivor Horton's ANSI C++ published by Apress.

[sde]

there is a big difference between a book that is well written for the specific reader, and otherwise.

i don't read programming books from cover to cover, .. but use them more as a reference, or if i'm learning a brand new language, then as a guidline on the order in which to approach things.

afterall, this is programming and nothing like learning guitar, if you can't follow a chapter or project in a book, then it's going to be difficult to follow online tutorials, API documentation, and other detailed documentation when you go to program.

just my line of thinking .. i know there are other views.

[Valmont]

Suppose you'd buy a "good" book. How would you know it is a good book? You see my point.

For now a primer is in its place I believe. In that case take a peek at: Accelerated C++.
Cobine it with communication (here for example), then you're good to go for now.

[slashdot]

I guess I'll look into that book. I'll go to some borders or some place, and read it for a little bit.. see if they speak to me or not. If not then I'll pay someone to teach me. Thanx people.