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Trying to learn C++
18 Dec 2008 In: andrei alexandrescu, beginner's books, beginning to program, bjarne stroustrup, brian overland, c++, Coding, effective c++, how to program, learning c++, learning programming, novice, Programming, programming books, Technology and tips and tricks Author: Jane Ullah EditSo, I couldn’t think of a witty title. My Christmas break is dwelling heavily on my mind. :) I’m looking forward to the break more than I realized. Well, I finally decided that I was going to quit kidding around and learn (or try to) a programming language. Back in my undergraduate years, I took 2 computer science classes (C++ and Java). I excelled at them, but at the time, I was preoccupied with graduating in time & I decided to drop that line of study for my eventual major, Biology. Well, I’ve always been interested in programming and I finally got a copy of Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional through the Microsoft Dreamspark program. I’ve also being doing a lot of ‘research’ online about key tools (books) to have in one’s arsenal. Obviously, I've gone without actual program for over 5 yrs. :) I'm definitely a beginner in this field so I'm looking for b00ks geared towards beginners, but filled with sound programming principles & advice. Without further ado, here is a short list of books that are highly regarded for either beginners to programming or furthering one’s previous knowledge of programming.
| Title | Author(s) | ISBN Number | Last Released |
| Accelerated C++ | Andrew Koenig and Barbara Moo | 020170353X (ISBN-10) 978-0201703535 (ISBN-13) | August 2000 |
| You Can Program in C++ | Francis Glassborow | 0470014687 (ISBN-10) 978-0470014684 (ISBN-13) | July 2006 |
| The C++ Programming Language | Bjarne Stroustrup | 0-201-88954-4 (ISBN-10) 978-0201700732 (ISBN 13) | February 2000 |
| Effective C++ | Scott Meyer | 0321334876 (ISBN-10) 978-0321334879 (ISBN-13) | May 2005 |
| Modern C++ Design | Andrei Alexandrescu | 0201704315 (ISBN-10) 978-0201704310 (ISBN-13) | February 2001 |
| C++ Without Fear | Brian Overland | 0321246950 (ISBN-10) 978-0321246950 (ISBN-13) | September 2004 |
| C++ Primer Plus | Stephen Prata | 0672326973 (ISBN-10) 978-0672326974 (ISBN-13) | November 2004 |
I will make an effort to check out the local libraries to use their copies. If not, I'll have to pony up the high price tag unless some loving soul on the intarwebs feels like lending me their copy. :)
Update (October 2009):
I purchased Ivor Horton's "Beginning Visual C++ 2008" because it was geared specifically towards learning C++ through Visual Studio 2008. That way, there'll be no issues of the book showing one picture and the program I'm using displaying another picture. Thanks to the little knowledge I've picked up from that book, I was able to help my husband, Matt, out with his Introduction to Visual Basic class. :P
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About Jane Talks Tech!
This blog was started as a labor of love and I started it primarily to edutain (an amalgam of education and entertainment) my readers who seek plain Jane answers to common or uncommon problems with technology used in their day-to-day lives. :) Suggestions?
Ajay Jain
December 18th, 2008 at 15:43
OnlineCompiler.org
Now You can create, run, upload, and download your C, C++ Programs/ Projects Online.
OnlineCompiler.org is a completed online development environment for C/C++ in Linuc/Unix Style and built over Php.
You can access onlineCompiler.org here. This is a joint project by CodeControl and Ajay Jain. OnlineCompiler.org has a lot of features that will make online development quite comfortable and fun. You can save your prohects over there, take a backup and retrieve it later, or may be download it. It is specially useful in cases when you need to do something and they don't have a compiler.
Currently onlinecompiler.org supports only Unix/Linux GCC based C/C++. We are planning to introduce Python support very soon. But no official dates. :-)
Judith O
January 16th, 2009 at 15:43
You didn't have to buy Visual Studio, at least not if the intention is C++. There are options...
1. Use the Online Compiler thingy...
2. Download a unix C and C++ environment. ... MSYS and One other... lol.. i installed long ago... holla at me if u r interested and ill get back to u with the details. You'd be running on the command line for the most part, but knowing you...that wud be peice of cake....
Another thing... ive kept up with ur blog for a few m0nths/yrs now... I really want to see u dabble into open source software... trust me, there are as many free alternatives out there. i started alredi.... i installed ubuntu... use it as my primary OS most of the time. On my windows side, i got off outlook... switched to thunderbird... and lots others that i wont bore u with....
And no... i'm not some open source advocate .... my fascination with open source is that its very do-it-yourself oriented... basically all the power is in your hands... the learning never stops, there are millions if pple waiting out there to help you if you ever need any help, and it's a very crude way of learning too (improved my googling skills, and removed the fear of trying out very complex solutions.. like coding, hacking n command line stuff.. right now... i just do it.... )
Another thing... ive read in several entries that you want to get minor or even major in compsci.... This is my take on the issue...
You love Comp Sci stuff... but that doesn't automatically translate to a degree.....there are numerous certificate programs that you can do, that will keep u focused on the areas u love.... I say this bcos even with my compsci degree, there are only a few classes that i practically use for my career, or even graad school.. very few... most of them will go unmentioned... so u dont want to pay for an entire degree if u r only usinf 25% of the classes in the real world... its a different story for someone who has no prior undergrad degree.... cos u need a degree in anything and it helps you develop mentally.... but u have that part conquered....
Alternatively, and ultimately... i suggest you fine a really good school, and apply for a masters in Information Systems Management.... you dont need a technical degree... you can get in with any degree... you'll get a combo of computer science + management... and in your electives you can pick the computer science classes that will benefit u, not just some garbage...
This will not only give u the computer science skills you need, but land u a really big management job (and u can stay with biology... but you move to industry)... increase your pay by like 30k /yr ..... give u a masters degree... and tremendously boost your resume....
Your story about being in a phd program and getting out for what you wanted is a perfect story in the management world... all about knowing how to talk.. making pple buy into your stories and ul be way ahead of the game... IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET ANOTHER DEGREE.... MAKE SURE YOU GET THE BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK....And remember... if you are going to get a masters.. it must be from a good school.... a graduate degree is ALMOST but not as important as the school you get it from. That determines ur future....
ok i'm done.... cheers......
Petro
October 17th, 2009 at 15:43
Start from Prata.
You didn't have to buy full Visual Studio, for learning you could use Visual Studio Express that have all features of Pro compiler, only limited included libraries into distribution.
Also you could trial Vsiaual Studio 90 days, this is enough to learn I believe ant then you will buy only if you really need.
I did NOT buy Visual Studio 2008. I obtained Dreamspark 2008 as part of the Microsoft DreamSpark program.