I'm overwhelmed by the C++

[Flammable]

does any1 know of a book that can teach more about memory region and pointers?

 

[RampantAndroid]

Well...dunno about you guys, but I'm finishing a degree in computer engineering right now - my college taught C++ from the start, and I didn;t find it too hard, I picked it up pretty fast (I'd only done VB before) to the point where my prof yelled at me for working ahead and daring to ask a question in class...heh. I think part of the reason I found it easy, is that it was at a slower pace than trying to do a book in a month...

Regarding C#, I just started coding it, been using C++ for 2.5 years or so, and I went through it easily, found it to be....well...easy. It is a MUCH cleaner language than C++, and I've come to love C#.

For DirectX and stuff, I've recently gone that direction, I tried using XNA with C#, found a lack of code for it, then tried buying a book, found the book went and got itself lost in the math of doing an engine, then spit out 5 pages of nonfunctional code, didn't explain it, and did more math...I recently bought one of Frank Luna's books, as they are supposed to be good. Check out the gamedev forums & site for more info on game programming.

For pointers and memory and all, my prof for a data structures class used the book "Data Structures using C++" by D.S.Malik. I have no clue how good it is, I never opened the book...but just looking at the book now, it seems good, explaining its code and concepts. Chapters include:
OOD and C++
Pointers and Array-Based Lists
Standard Template Library
Linked Lists
Recursion
Stacks
Queues
Search Algorithms
Sorting Algorithms
Binary Trees
Graphs
STL II


Appendices:
Reserved Words
Operator precedence
character sets
operator overloading
header files
addition topics
c++ for java programmers


Looking over this, I see my class was really structured around the book - the class was very good, so in the end I recommend this book for those who want to learn C++.

Hope this helps.

 

[titan7]

Originally posted by: Cooler
Best Thing about C++ is that you can type cast everything. You want The Bits of float into an int. With pointers its a done deal. You want to start reading random memory in the heap, pointers can do that. You are using a massive amout of memory and you dont want to wait for a GC to clean up. Using pointers and user defined memory mangment you can. Pointers Have a large learning curve but i have learned to love them. Btw You cant do this in java void swap(int a, intb) but you can in C++.

Yes, but it's also the worst thing about C++. Multiple inheritance is another one of those good and bad things.

Moving forward just use Java/C# and 64bit for everything and forget about memory problems

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

I say learn whatever you want in whatever order you want. It's probably one of the less important factors in determining whether or not you will be a good/successful programmer.

As for C++, I like how the creator himself describes it:

"In C++ it's harder to shoot yourself in the foot [than C], but when you do, you blow off your whole leg." ? Bjarne Stroustrup.

 

[RampantAndroid]

I'd say find the middle ground between C++ (which is basically C, with object oriented stuff bolted on) and Java - something like Ruby or C# - both can be used to create applications, and can be used for web applications as well (ASP.net and Ruby on Rails)

Whenever anyone asks what language to start with, I'll say C++, because that's what I did first, and I'm able to switch to other languages very easily...I find VB an annoyance anymore, but I do like C# and Ruby, I've done a little python, I use PHP all the time....

I think using C++ first is a good way to get an understanding of programming overall, as it has all the features and DOES let you shoot yourself in the foot - I think you have to do that a few times to get a better understanding of programming and the workings of a computer's memory system. I don't think Java is good to start with, as I see it as something of an extremist reaction to C++'s flaws - instead of using safe pointers (like C# did later) and so on, it just removed the features which could cause problems....

 

[Cooler]

Originally posted by: titan7

Originally posted by: Cooler
Best Thing about C++ is that you can type cast everything. You want The Bits of float into an int. With pointers its a done deal. You want to start reading random memory in the heap, pointers can do that. You are using a massive amout of memory and you dont want to wait for a GC to clean up. Using pointers and user defined memory mangment you can. Pointers Have a large learning curve but i have learned to love them. Btw You cant do this in java void swap(int a, intb) but you can in C++.

Yes, but it's also the worst thing about C++. Multiple inheritance is another one of those good and bad things.

Moving forward just use Java/C# and 64bit for everything and forget about memory problems

No the worst thing is GOTO there is no reason for it in C++.

 

[hasu]

There is another best kept secret in programming for Rapid Application Development, which is Delphi. Nothing specifically related to C++, but if you want to experience the real meaning of Rapid Application Development try Borland's Delphi (Borland's development tools division changed their name to DevCo). Now that they have free Turbo Versions of Delphi, C++ etc it is worth giving it a try. Turbo versions have limitations compared to Turbo Professional and other commercial versions (in comparison to the differences of Visual Studio and its express editions), but it is still good enough to start the acquaintance. I came from DOS and mainframe C/C++ to VC++ and then moved to Delphi. And I was totally surprised by the easiness of Delphi to develop Windows applications -- for both Database related and otherwise. You have to try it to believe it. C# and Delphi both are brain children of Anders Hejlsberg.

Delphi

Edit: Spelling correction

 

[Gannon]

Originally posted by: Chris
C++ is a bastard language. Not recommended to learn programming on as others have stated. Java or C# is a good start.

C++ is not a hard language if you have a guide book, I totally recommend C++ Primer plus by Stephen prata, you can learn C++ by yourself and on your own starting with that book. If you can find it as a .PDF on P2P networks all the better.