New to C++, where do I start? 1

[tinkertron]

Hello. I've enjoy programming. I've start like everyone else here learning DOS BASIC programming in high school. I have move into programming javascripts, HTML, and also learned to do some multimedia design work with Swish program, which is a knock off version of Macromedia Shockwave/Flash. I would like to start learning C++ programming. Please help me, by telling me which is the best way to learn and understand C++ programming. Thanks!

Kenny of Austin, Texas

 

[maluk]

A wise choice Kenny. C++ is a very nice programming language to learn. I have just started studying C++ programming last year so I am a bit of a newbie but I'd like to give you a few tips. Here is something that made me completely understand C++.

I noticed that C++ uses classes. Usually when someone speaks of classes in the programming world, it means object-oriented programming is involved so right then and there, I studied the theory of object-oriented programming. This made me understand how to use the features of C++ as an object-oriented programming language. Then after I fully understood object-oriented progrgamming, I began studying C++.

So if you do want to learn C++, I suggest that you first study the theory of object-oriented programming. This will help you understand C++ better and this will help you use the features offered by C++ better.

Believe me that it is better to learn object-oriented programming first before C++. You ask me why? Well, I have seen other people that treat classes and objects as ordinary structs (although later on you will discover that they are related) which is fine but in my own opinion is not a good programming practice.

Here are some links that might help you:

Object-Oriented Programming Web (OOPWeb.com)

http://oopweb.com/CPP/Files/CPP.html

Bjarne Stroustrup's FAQ

http://www.research.att.com/~bs/bs_faq.html

C++ Faq Lite by Marshall Cline

http://www.parashift.com/c++-faq-lite/

Here are some books that might help you:

Turbo C/C++ : The Complete Reference, Second Edition by Herbert Schildt
The book above is my very first C/C++ book. That's where I learned both C and C++.

The C++ Programming Language, Special Edition by Bjarne Stroustrup
This book for me is just a supplementary book but the most helpful one ofcourse considering the author is none other than the C++ creator.

Object-Oriented Analysis and Design with Applications , Second Edition by Grady Booch
It's all about object-orientation. ;-)

Hope this helps!

- janvier -