📖 Overview
Small C++ How to Program provides a comprehensive introduction to C++ programming fundamentals. The book covers core concepts including data types, control structures, functions, arrays, and object-oriented programming through clear explanations and examples.
The text follows a practical, hands-on approach with numerous code examples and exercises that build in complexity throughout each chapter. Programming concepts are reinforced through case studies and real-world applications that demonstrate how C++ is used to solve actual problems.
Visual elements like flowcharts, UML diagrams, and code highlighting help illustrate programming concepts and program flow. Code testing, debugging techniques, and best practices for writing maintainable code are emphasized throughout the learning process.
The book serves as both a teaching tool and reference guide, focusing on foundational programming skills while introducing modern C++ features and standard libraries. Its structured approach makes it suitable for beginners while providing depth for intermediate programmers looking to strengthen their understanding of C++.
👀 Reviews
Most readers found this book more approachable than other C++ textbooks but criticized its reliance on older programming techniques. Several Amazon reviews noted it explained concepts clearly but used outdated practices like the void main() syntax.
Liked:
- Simple explanations of complex topics
- Good progression from basic to advanced concepts
- Helpful examples and exercises
- Content broken into digestible chapters
Disliked:
- Outdated C++ practices and standards
- Too basic for experienced programmers
- Some code examples don't follow modern conventions
- Exercises can be repetitive
Ratings:
Amazon: 4.1/5 (127 reviews)
Goodreads: 3.8/5 (89 ratings)
One Amazon reviewer stated: "Good for beginners but uses older C++ standards that aren't used in industry anymore." Another noted: "The explanations helped me understand pointers better than any other resource."
Note: Limited review data available online compared to other programming books.
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🤔 Interesting facts
🔷 Paul Deitel co-founded Deitel & Associates with his son Harvey Deitel, creating one of the most successful family partnerships in programming education.
🔷 The "Small C++" in the title refers to a subset of C++ features carefully selected to make learning easier while maintaining professional relevance - a concept that influenced many modern programming textbooks.
🔷 The book's "live-code" approach, where every concept is demonstrated through complete working programs, became a signature teaching method that Deitel later applied across dozens of programming language textbooks.
🔷 Paul Deitel was previously a systems developer at IBM, where he worked on communications and operating systems projects before dedicating his career to teaching programming.
🔷 The book's exercises were extensively tested in college classrooms before publication, with many examples drawn from real-world business applications rather than abstract academic problems.