I''m a strong C programmer but my C++ is a bit weak, and I don''t know anything about templates or the STL. Can anyone recommend any good books which cover intermediate to advanced C++ that are easy to read, without insulting my intelligence? I''m looking for a programming guide, not a reference.

I''ve been having a good deal of luck with Ira Pohl''s "C++ for C Programmers". For the OOP stuff, I''ve been reading Arthur J. Riel''s "Object-Oriented Design Heuristics".

Hope that helps

-Krylar
Christian Coders Network

The C++ Programming Language 3rd edition or Special Edition
By Bjarne Stroustrup
ISBN 0-201-70073-5 (sp ed)

This by far the best C++ book out there and has the advantage that if your compiler does one thing, and the book another, the compilier is wrong. This book also frequently tells you not only the way things are, but why they are that way.

I don''t know about C to C++, but if you know about QBasic (the first language I started on) there''s a book called (I think) "Leaping from Basic to C++" or something like that, that covers code conversions from one to the other by giving an example of what you would do in Basic, then how you do it in C++. After the initial chapters, it goes into more C++ -only topics, like pointers and OOP. (I mean, C++ but not Qbasic, not that OOP isn''t used in any other language).

C++ The Complete Reference, by Herbert Schildt. Starts out explaining the C similarities and then goes into the C++ specific stuff. Very good IMHO. I''m about half through the C stuff myself.

BeS
It's Da BOMB Baby!!!

quote: Original post by Grib

The C++ Programming Language 3rd edition or Special Edition
By Bjarne Stroustrup
ISBN 0-201-70073-5 (sp ed)

This by far the best C++ book out there and has the advantage that if your compiler does one thing, and the book another, the compilier is wrong. This book also frequently tells you not only the way things are, but why they are that way.

Yes, that is a great book. I totally love it, BUT I think of it more as a reference than a programming guide. Perhaps that''s just me?

"Paranoia is the belief in a hidden order behind the visible." - Anonymous

The book I learned from was a text in my CS classes. Its called (simply enough) "C++ How To Program". I don''t recall the authors name or I would include them. This is a great book, and they explain things very well. Only a few times was I left wondering "why?"... which for a programming book, is very good!

Yeah, "C++ How to Program" is a excellent book, and it''d probably be great for somebody in your situation (C knowledge but not much C++). However, if there''re any COMPLETE beginners out there, I definitely wouldn''t recommend it. It isn''t exactly the greatest first learning experience...

------------------------------------------------------------
He wants a shoehorn, the kind with teeth, because he knows there's no such thing.

quote: Original post by Staffan

Original post by Grib

The C++ Programming Language 3rd edition or Special Edition
By Bjarne Stroustrup
[snip]

Yes, that is a great book. I totally love it, BUT I think of it more as a reference than a programming guide. Perhaps that''s just me?



It covers a lot of constructs that are commonly used. For example there is a nifty bit about how to make v = (v-c)*s+c
inline to v.scale_about_point(c,s); It might be tough for a total non-programmer to grok, but in all honesty I don''t think that we would be using C++ were it not for this book, just like C might not have caught on without K&R.

The official stroustrup book is good, but I''m not sure it makes for a readable tutorial.

I would go with any C++ beginner book, the ''How to program'' book seems well recommended and I think that is good advice, providing you augment it. Mine was ''Object Oriented Programming with C++'' or ''in C++'' by David Parsons. It''s very easy to read and quite short. I can of course, recommend it wholeheartedly.

Coding good C++ isn''t just about syntax. Try ''C++ FAQs'', as you will have questions, it will have the answers, and very good ones at that.

Try ''Effective C++'' and ''More Effective C++''. People might post follow ups about this, because there is always some debate about ''what is on page xxx...'' or something, but generally they are good books.

Also try learning about ''Design Patterns'' in the book of the same title. This lists some good solutions to some common oo problems.

STL is good, but also not well used in the games world. I would study it eventually, but later on.

...and of course, have the official stroustrup book on your shelf anyway. I don''t think its easy to read, but when the other books fail to give you the answer, it is the definitive guide.