Rating:  - Great place to start
I bought this book to learn C++, coming from a C programming background. The first week gives you the foundation for many "bracket" languages (C, C++, Java, C#). If you already know some C, it's a good review of the basics of C++. From that point, you move into object-oriented programming (OOP), and while the subject matter does get harder, the book does not. The explanations of sometimes complicated concepts are clear and are usually provided with a complete-program example (not just one or two lines of a code snippet). Even after reading this book cover-to-cover, I find that I now use it as a reference material quite often. Since reading this book, I've gone on to learn Java and C#, and *MANY* of the concepts I learned from this book could be directly applied in those languages (and probably many more languages, as well). While this is not the only book you'll ever need to be a good programmer, it's a great place to start.
Rating:  - very disappointed
I decided to take an online course to learn c++. To my surprise and disappointement it was based on this text. I purchased the book to go along with the course. The course was simply a repeat of the book text with interactive tests added in.
What others have said is absolutely true. I have 10+ years experience in various programming languages. I thought it was about time to sit down and learn c++.
This book felt comfortable for the first 7 days. It was all review but it looked promising. The second week, however, hits you like a bomb. The author moves from a style that is over explaining things that any 6 year old could grasp to whizzing at 100mph past the complex details.
There are multiple places where the author simply makes a single paragraph about how the syntax needs to look for very important concepts without explanation as to why or trying to help the reader/student understand it.
I have re-read the last two weeks of this course/book at least 3 times. Done all of the examples. I still could not possibly code anything in this language myself.
This book is going to have a special place on my desk. Well actually underneath my desk. Propping up the leg that is slightly shorter than the other three.
Rating: - Great Book for Beginners
This is my first time of trying to learn a programming language. I've had absolutely no experience in programming, so I picked up this book. It is absolutely great. It is well worded and covers everything really good. I would recommend this book to anyone starting out in programming, it's worth the money.
Rating: - Saved my Life
This book literally saved my life and career. Unlike the rest of my Computer Science peers, I didn't pick up programming as fast as others. During my first C++ course, I struggled immensely using the textbooks (C++ Primer, etc). I picked this book up, and was able to use it to complete all of my assignments and understand it enough to read harder books as well as do well in the class. It saved my life, that's all I can say, and now I am a graduate student in Computer Science, I owe it all to this book.
Rating: - THIS IS A GREAT BOOK TO START WITH.
Given that 'teaching' one's self a computer programming language is a daunting task anyway, Jesse Liberty's book takes a clean and understandable approach to the subject, broken down in a way that is convenient and productive.
I bought this book with no programming experience (except for BASIC in high school) and have been working my way through the excercises for a while now. Although, the idea of learning this stuff in 21 Days is a fantasy, those who are willing to actually take the time to understand each chapter (it's taken me over a year of part-time study to get past Week 1) it's fantastic. If you persevere, somewhere around the end of Week 1 you will begin to feel the awesome power that is possible with your newfound and fledgling skill.
I am excited and encouraged to finish the book (even if it takes me a couple more years) because it is a solid foundation for any would-be programmer, and a low-cost alternative to the University setting. You can be sure that when I'm done with C++, I will look to Jesse Liberty for "Teach Yourself C# in 21 Days".
I highly recommend this book!
|
