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C++ Without Fear: A Beginner's Guide That Makes You Feel Smart
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to program a computer, or to learn the widely used C++ programming language in particular, C++ Without Fear, Second Edition, offers an ideal way to get you started.
Written with the same approach that earned the first edition rave reviews, the author first emphasizes short, simple examples that are easy to enter; then, within a couple of chapters, he has you creating useful utilities, playing games, and using the computer to solve interesting puzzles. His approach is a welcome departure from many programming texts, which quickly get bogged down in complex and sometimes meaningless examples. You’ll find here, patiently explained and clearly illustrated, everything you need to learn programming quickly, and to have fun doing it!
Yes, programming can be a complex task, and C++ is a language often used by professionals. In fact, many of the coolest games, graphics, and Internet applications are created with C++, and it’s even been used on the Mars rovers. But the language, like the monster pictured on the cover, need not be all that fearsome. Broken down to its essentials, and enhanced by simple examples, practical exercises, and the whys and tricks behind each language feature, you’ll be amazed at the rapid progress you can make.
With C++ Without Fear, Second Edition, you will
Learn the basics of C++ programming
Get started writing your own programs
See how and why each piece of a program does what it does
Create useful and reusable program code
Understand object-oriented programming–for once explained in simple, down-to-earth terms
NEW AND IMPROVED
While compatible with nearly every version of the C++ language, this second edition has been updated to cover important features of the newest and greatest C++ standard (C++0x). In addition, it now includes
Even more figures, examples, and exercises
Even more puzzles and games
An expanded 75-page language reference
Instructions for downloading free C++ software
Whether you wish to learn C++ programming for pleasure, or you’re considering a career in programming, this book is an outstanding choice.
Written with the same approach that earned the first edition rave reviews, the author first emphasizes short, simple examples that are easy to enter; then, within a couple of chapters, he has you creating useful utilities, playing games, and using the computer to solve interesting puzzles. His approach is a welcome departure from many programming texts, which quickly get bogged down in complex and sometimes meaningless examples. You’ll find here, patiently explained and clearly illustrated, everything you need to learn programming quickly, and to have fun doing it!
Yes, programming can be a complex task, and C++ is a language often used by professionals. In fact, many of the coolest games, graphics, and Internet applications are created with C++, and it’s even been used on the Mars rovers. But the language, like the monster pictured on the cover, need not be all that fearsome. Broken down to its essentials, and enhanced by simple examples, practical exercises, and the whys and tricks behind each language feature, you’ll be amazed at the rapid progress you can make.
With C++ Without Fear, Second Edition, you will
Learn the basics of C++ programming
Get started writing your own programs
See how and why each piece of a program does what it does
Create useful and reusable program code
Understand object-oriented programming–for once explained in simple, down-to-earth terms
NEW AND IMPROVED
While compatible with nearly every version of the C++ language, this second edition has been updated to cover important features of the newest and greatest C++ standard (C++0x). In addition, it now includes
Even more figures, examples, and exercises
Even more puzzles and games
An expanded 75-page language reference
Instructions for downloading free C++ software
Whether you wish to learn C++ programming for pleasure, or you’re considering a career in programming, this book is an outstanding choice.
- GenresProgrammingNonfiction
595 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2004
35 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 8, 2015
This is a decent introduction to C++ programming for people that already know computer logic and how to program in another language.
July 8, 2021
With programming, practice makes perfect, and this book is an excellent practice resource.
Currently reading
December 17, 2023Revising the basics
May 3, 2018
C++ Without Fear by Brian Overland teaches programming in the language known as C++. Now, I never took a single course in programming, but this book assumes very little in what the reader knows. Basically, it starts out with a lot of hand-holding, but this is good for me. Although I have tried to learn to program, for some reason the basic ideas don’t lead me to have excellent advanced ideas. I can do it as a hobby since I don’t think that I will be able to be employed as a programmer.
The book starts with the most basic ideas of programming; the ideas of proper syntax. Computers are not magical machines that can do anything and everything you demand of them. As the old adage goes, Garbage in, Garbage out. To be more specific, the computer can only do the things that you tell it to do: no more, no less. In that sense, there has to be a lot of peculiar rules and systems in place so that the computer understands you. Computers all over the world speak the same language, that of binary digits or bits. The book begins by explaining this. C++ is much like the C programming language, but it allows you to use Object-Oriented Programming. The book is kind enough to explain what that is.
Once you are ready to make your first program, the book talks about different compilers and which ones to use. You get to make the basic print output program and so on. Now if you are sufficiently advanced in programming, you could certainly skip a few chapters. This is something the author wholeheartedly recommends. Then again, the book states that it is a book for beginners, so you know how that goes. While I say that, the book does cover up to Polymorphism, so I don’t really know if that is super advanced or not.
With plenty of examples and practice programs, this book is quite excellent. It even contains some explanations of the programs line by line. If you are starting out, this book is probably pretty good for you. It also covers C++0x and some of the new features included in there, but the book is copyright 2011 so I don’t know if there has been a massive paradigm shift in programming since then. Now this book lends itself better to people that participate in the activities, but I am not that kind of guy. This is mainly because my setup is a bit awkward, and I don’t like cracking the spine of the book for no reason. Also, I am not a perfect touch typist.
The book starts with the most basic ideas of programming; the ideas of proper syntax. Computers are not magical machines that can do anything and everything you demand of them. As the old adage goes, Garbage in, Garbage out. To be more specific, the computer can only do the things that you tell it to do: no more, no less. In that sense, there has to be a lot of peculiar rules and systems in place so that the computer understands you. Computers all over the world speak the same language, that of binary digits or bits. The book begins by explaining this. C++ is much like the C programming language, but it allows you to use Object-Oriented Programming. The book is kind enough to explain what that is.
Once you are ready to make your first program, the book talks about different compilers and which ones to use. You get to make the basic print output program and so on. Now if you are sufficiently advanced in programming, you could certainly skip a few chapters. This is something the author wholeheartedly recommends. Then again, the book states that it is a book for beginners, so you know how that goes. While I say that, the book does cover up to Polymorphism, so I don’t really know if that is super advanced or not.
With plenty of examples and practice programs, this book is quite excellent. It even contains some explanations of the programs line by line. If you are starting out, this book is probably pretty good for you. It also covers C++0x and some of the new features included in there, but the book is copyright 2011 so I don’t know if there has been a massive paradigm shift in programming since then. Now this book lends itself better to people that participate in the activities, but I am not that kind of guy. This is mainly because my setup is a bit awkward, and I don’t like cracking the spine of the book for no reason. Also, I am not a perfect touch typist.
Want to read
January 3, 2013So far so good!
January 10, 2011
Great intro into object-oriented programming through C++
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews