Product Description

Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days, Fourth Edition provides a straight-forward tutorial approach to programming in C++. It assumes no prior knowledge of programming and offers both solid instruction and the authors insights into best programming and learning practices. The book also provides a foundation for understanding object-oriented programming.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #333735 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 912 pages

From the Author
Third Edition - Fully Updated
I'm very proud of the third edition of this book, which I've fully updated to the new ANSI/ISO standard. Every code example has been checked on a number of compilers, and I provide full source code, a FAQ and an errata sheet on my web site at http://www.libertyassociates.com. I thank you very much for considering my book and I hope it will meet your needs and expectations. Thanks again. -j

From the Back Cover

Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days, Fourth Edition provides a straight-forward tutorial approach to programming in C++. It assumes no prior knowledge of programming and offers both solid instruction and the authors insights into best programming and learning practices. The book also provides a foundation for understanding object-oriented programming.

About the Author

Sams Teach Yourself C++ in21 Days, Fourth EditionAbout the Author

Jesse Liberty is the author of a dozen books on C++, C# andobject-oriented analysis and design. He is president of Liberty Associates, Inc.(http://www.LibertyAssociates.com),where he provides .net development, contract programming, mentoring, consulting,and training.

Jesse was a distinguished software engineer at AT&T, a software architect for Xerox and LinkNet (PBS), and vice president of Citibank's Development Division. He lives with his wife, Stacey, and his daughters, Robin and Rachel, in the suburbs of Cambridge, Massachusetts. He supports his books on his Web site at http://www.libertyassociates.com—click on Books and Resources.

© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

Out of date style and confusing
This book claims that the code is ANSI compliant and so should work with a modern C++ compiler. As far as I can see this is not so. The only reference that I can see is the standard namespace which is mentioned in day 1. There is no use of the standard String class - even at a basic level. Instead in day 13, together with arrays and linked list you will see the old fashioned C-strings being used together with the authors version of a String class. Interestingly enough within the program that includes the author's string class there is a #include instead of #include indicating that the author has mixed old C++ header files with those currently available in the ANSI/OSI standard. This I find very confusing, and would indeed be doubly so for a total beginner.
There are also no mention of many important topics included in the ANSI/OSI standard. I would have thought that the vector class would have fitted in well with the chapter on arrays and linked lists. The linked lists could have been left till later.

The earlier chapters are relatively easy to follow and could easily be completed in 1 day. The main problem is that the order of presentation does not make much sense. The beginner is not guided from one concept to another. Many of the explanations are rather longwinded and there is a lot of waffle that should be skipped.

The book is useful in places, but does not form a coherent text book for a beginner C++ programmer, which I understand is the target audience.

FANTASTIC!!!!
I have loads of books on C++. I am a skilled C programmer but could never get the gist of C++ and Object Oriented programming until I studied this book. Yes STUDIED. There are exercises for you to complete at the end of each chapter. DO THEM. You definitely will not do it in 21 days. The author (in another book) admits these are 'virtual days' needing 8-10 hours of study for each chapter. If this seems alot don't bother with C++ try Visual basic, C++ is not easy.
This must be the best book I have on C++, it doesn't quickly skim the subject but analyses the concepts and has detailed explanations of the code examples with DO's and DON'Ts. If you complete this book go onto
Scott Meyers Effective C++ books then you'll be a C++ GURU. Oh... you'll also need to study books on windows programming, see Jeff Prosise's book Programming windows with MFC. Thank you Jesse for this great book.

OK, but not the best
The book is well written, well structured, and explains the basics of C++ in a clear and easy to read fashion. There are far worse books out there.

However, it spends time on things that are irrelevant to the absolute beginner (eg arrays of pointers, a whole chapter on OO design) and spends no time at all teaching you about the classes provided by the C++ standard library, which have the potential to make things way easier for beginners. Also, both the examples and exercises provided focus very much on syntax rather than on use, and as such you gain very little clue as to how what you are being taught might be used in a real program.

I prefer "Accelerated C++", which I bought on the recommendation of the website of the Association of C and C++ Users, and was glad that I did. It covers more material and gives a better idea of how to program real-life programs that Liberty's book, despite the fact it is only half the length.

The only problem with this alternative is that there is no repetition or filler at all - in Liberty's book the cut out grey boxes and constant repetition of earlier points make it a far easier read, whilst if you skip a sentence in Accelerated C++ for being too hard to understand you'll probably understand the next sentence even less.

In short, if you're a total beginner who likes things to be repeated a lot to understand them, maybe Liberty's book is for you, but if you're willing to put up with a more intense, technical style of writing then you could gain a lot more by buying Accelerated C++ instead.