Overland B. C++ Without Fear: A Beginner's Guide That Makes You Feel Smart

Prentice Hall, 2011. - 582 p. - ISBN: 978-0132673266This 2nd edition comes seven years after the original and has been updated to include the C++ 0x standard. This 550 page book is for the complete beginner, not just to C++ but to programming. Now C++ is a pretty complex language so this book can't include everything in detail. However as we'll see it is pretty inclusive.No compiler is included but there is a link to a download for Dev C++, a usable if slightly ageing C++ IDE and compiler that would have been pretty uptodate when the first edition came out. Visual Studio is mentioned but not the free Express version. It wasn't out in 2004.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