📖 Overview
C++ How to Program is a comprehensive programming textbook that teaches the fundamentals and advanced concepts of C++. The book follows a practical approach with numerous examples, exercises, and real-world applications.
Each chapter builds systematically on previous material, starting with basic programming concepts and progressing to object-oriented programming, data structures, and GUI development. The text includes hundreds of self-review questions, exercises, and programming challenges that reinforce learning through hands-on practice.
The book covers standard C++ features along with newer additions to the language, including updates for C++11 and beyond. Code examples demonstrate software engineering best practices and include error-handling techniques, debugging strategies, and performance optimization methods.
This text stands as an educational resource that balances theoretical understanding with practical implementation skills, preparing readers for both academic study and professional software development. The emphasis on clean coding practices and industry standards makes it relevant for beginners and experienced programmers alike.
👀 Reviews
Readers value this textbook's comprehensive coverage and detailed examples, though many find it overwhelming for beginners. The exercises build progressively in difficulty, and the code samples demonstrate real-world applications.
Likes:
- Clear explanations of complex concepts
- Abundance of practice problems
- Code examples show proper programming style
- Strong coverage of object-oriented programming
Dislikes:
- Too dense for an introductory text
- Examples can be unnecessarily complex
- Some readers report confusing organization
- High price point
- Verbose explanations that could be more concise
One reader noted: "The examples are thorough but can take multiple readings to understand fully."
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.0/5 (387 ratings)
Amazon: 4.4/5 (428 ratings)
- 5 stars: 69%
- 4 stars: 17%
- 3 stars: 8%
- 2 stars: 3%
- 1 star: 3%
Reddit discussions frequently recommend it as a reference book rather than a first C++ text.
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Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup Written by the creator of C++, this text builds programming competency through practical examples and exercises while teaching modern C++ practices.
Accelerated C++ by Andrew Koenig, Barbara E. Moo Takes a practical approach to learning C++ by focusing on the STL and modern programming techniques from the beginning.
Think Like a Programmer: An Introduction to Creative Problem Solving by V. Anton Spraul Teaches programming concepts through problem-solving techniques using C++ as the implementation language.
Professional C++ by Marc Gregoire Covers advanced C++ programming topics including the latest language features, design patterns, and best practices for professional development.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔷 Paul Deitel and his co-author Harvey Deitel have written over 100 programming textbooks and sold millions of copies worldwide, with translations in more than a dozen languages.
🔷 The book was first published in 1992 and has gone through multiple editions, evolving alongside C++ itself - from pre-standardization through major updates like C++11, C++14, and C++17.
🔷 The authors developed their signature "live-code approach" by teaching programming at various institutions, including Boston College and MIT, ensuring examples are both practical and pedagogically sound.
🔷 Each chapter concludes with a "Making a Difference" exercise that challenges students to use their programming skills to solve real-world problems related to healthcare, poverty, environmental sustainability, and education.
🔷 The book's companion website provides source code examples, self-review exercises, and additional resources that have been accessed by millions of students and professionals worldwide since its launch.