C++ Primer Plus (5th Edition)

If you are new to C++ programming, C++ Primer Plus, Fifth Edition is a friendly and easy-to-use self-study guide. You will cover the latest and most useful language enhancements, the Standard Template Library and ways to streamline object-oriented programming with C++. This guide also illustrates how to handle input and output, make programs perform repetitive tasks, manipulate data, hide information, use functions and build flexible, easily modifiable programs. With the help of this book, you will:

Learn C++ programming from the ground up. Learn through real-world, hands-on examples. Experiment with concepts, including classes, inheritance, templates and exceptions. Reinforce knowledge gained through end-of-chapter review questions and practice programming exercises.

C++ Primer Plus, Fifth Edition makes learning and using important object-oriented programming concepts understandable. Choose this classic to learn the fundamentals and more of C++ programming.

 

User review
Big book, detailed explanations
I'm a veteran C programmer and have been given an assignment in C++. I thought the jump would be a piece of cake, because I had sort of looked at C++ many years ago never going much beyond Hello World, and because I had done 2 years of C# programming. It turned out that C++ is considerably more complex than I had expected and it has evolved over the years. I did have Lipmann's C++ Primer in its second edition but nearly every time I tried to read it I would fall asleep. Somehow Lippman's style didn't grab me. I also had some other advanced books, but they were rather dated, and were perhaps the wrong place to start. I had bought C++ in a Nutshell and didn't like it at all as a way of learning C++. So I decided to get an up to date book that focussed on the concept and saw that this was highly recommended.
When the book came in the mail I was shocked at how big it is. I had to take the lift to get back to my apartment ;).
I had been expecting a book around 400 pages, it is 1200 pages. I guess that it's the language's fault.

Since I had a special need: to find a thorough explanation of references as used by functions, I jumped straight to the chapter, and found its style was wonderful. It could not be better. The text is full of reminders of concept he uses, just in case you had not read them very carefully before. I'm finding the style most engaging unlike Lipmann. It reads so well that the extra pages don't matter so much.

I've tried various topics and have found that you can go straight to the topic and get by quite well, because the author is constantly reminding you of the assumptions.

Unlike some other introductions to C++ this one does not stop early, and it insists a lot on what is going on behind the scenes.
I also noticed that it's very usable by people who do not have much programming experience. I would not recommend that anyone start programming with C++ however, it's just too complex. You would be better off starting with Python or Java.

Based on what I have read, it seems that Prata's place in heaven is assured.

User review
Well Written - Very Detailed
While I don't do a tremendous amount of C++ programming these days, I did find this book to be very informative and well laid out. Easily the best programming book I've read.

User review
A Great way to start
The first 7 years of my career was with C++. Then came C#. I haven't written a line of C++ in about 5 years. But when a really awesome C++ opportunity presented itself I had to go for it and I needed a book to do a quick review. This book was a great review for me. It brought me up to speed quickly and covered most of what I would expect in a very logical order. There are tons of sample programs where you get the complete listing, followed by a discussion of that listing. Most of the important topics are covered. I would have preferred more coverage of the STL but the book does hit the most common classes and algorithms. All in all it was well worth the money.

User review
Rodolfo's review
while the ad said this book was in good condition, the book I received is in terrible condition, is there a way to return it?.

User review
Too Complete!
It is probably the best C++ book if you are looking for a bible-thick, encyclopedic book. For that, it serves both as a reference book and as a very complete textbook.

However, if you are looking for a quicker read on C++, but still with sufficient material that actually allows you to start writing fairly complex codes, Accelerated C++ by Koenig and Moo is a better option.