Ivor Horton's Beginning ANSI C++: The Complete Language (Expert's Voice) - Softcover

Horton, Ivor

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1590592271 ISBN 13: 9781590592274

Publisher: Apress, 2004

Synopsis

* The previous title has proven sales success over 6 years; new edition is completely revised and updated, author is widely acknowledged as among the best authors on programming today!

* Includes progressive text and examples, with each topic building on what has been learned previously

* No specific prior programming experience necessary – Material is suited to both self-taught learners and structured courses

* Written in an easy, effective tutorial style with all language features demonstrated through working examples

* Explains what language elements are for and how they work

* Demystifies the language by explaining all specialized terminology and jargon

* Covers class templates in depth and includes an introduction to the Standard Template Library

About this title

Review:

Ivor Horton's Beginning C++ provides a thorough and exceptionally well-written introduction to the world of C++. This guide pays the same attention to detail as Horton's previous book, Beginning Java, and it provides clear and illustrative examples, making it an excellent candidate for your programming bookshelf.

Even working C++ programmers may not be familiar with all the advanced features of the Standard C++. The approach throughout Beginning C++ is to cover what C++ does out of the box. (One good reason to consider C++ instead of Java, for example, is that C++ is very close to becoming an international standard, while Java continues to fragment amid proprietary disputes between vendors such as Sun Microsystems and Microsoft.) Even early chapters introduce Standard Library features along with basic C++ data types, keywords, operators, and flow control statements. The built-in C++ string class gets full coverage, all before the book introduces the concepts of pointers. (It's significant that the new C++ can do a lot more than manipulate data through pointers. The author makes a strong case that these built-in strengths are what will let C++ compete against Java.)

Later chapters explore topics in class design, which lets you design custom effective classes in C++. Thorny issues in class design, such as inheritance, virtual methods, and the proper use of default and copy constructors, as well as the pitfalls and advantages of operator overloading, are all presented in remarkably clear detail.

Classes in the C++ Standard Template Library are given their due. In all, Beginning C++ provides a massive amount of material, but presents it in digestible increments. The authors do a fine job of presenting the basics before going on to more advanced topics. This can be used as a stand-alone text to getting the most out of the C++ language.

From the Publisher:

No knowledge of other programming languages is assumed, although exposure to some form of programming an advantage. Ivor teaches C++ as a first step to real programming, and helps a novice become a competent programmer. The explanations are thorough and leave no gray areas. This also makes the book useful for people with limited programming experience in another language who want a thorough grounding in C++. This book is not specific to any compiler or computer, making it a valuable learning tool regardless of whether you are using an old 486 with DOS, or the latest Sun SparcStation. It is an easy-going tutorial, based on a proven formula of step-by-step examples, friendly explanations and exercises

About this edition

• Publisher: Apress
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1590592271
• ISBN 13: 9781590592274
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 1120