C++ for C Programmers, Third Edition

I was initially dismayed by the large number of negative reviews, but now that I've completed this book I believe I understand why; this book is really intended for a very narrow target audience: very experienced C programmers with no knowledge of C++ -- i.e., Old Farts,... like me. Is there ANY school out there today teaching people C WITHOUT also teaching them C++? It seems unlikely, almost as unlikely as it would be to find a potential employer out there who is seeking Plain Old C programmers today. So if you are an Old C Dog like me looking to learn the "new" trick of C++, this book is for you and ONLY for you! I read it carefully and was able to pass a C++ test that I wouldn't have gotten a single answer right on before I read it. Anyone else looking to learn C++ would be better served by choosing C++ for Dummies or something similar. Defects? There are a number of them. First, the book does not come with a compiler or a CD-ROM. It DOES come with a URL from which you can download the COMPLETE source code referred to in the book, but you will have to obtain your own compiler, and chances are, you will have to considerably modify the comparatively ancient source code in order to get it to compile for you. There are some things that you used to be able to do in C++ that you just cannot do any longer, at least not without turning off a lot of modern ANSI compiler errors. Second, because this is intended as a textbook, there are no answers to the end of chapter exercises, at least not unless you find yourself a Teacher's Edition. Finally, I have to agree with the reviewers who question the thinking behind the "Moving from C++ to Java" section at the end of each chapter. Sure, it is somewhat interesting to see one of the chapter's C++ programs rewritten in Java, but it is nothing close to enough to learn Java from so what's the point?

This book is a book for people with a good grasp of programming. It is not for the beginner. It also does not beat around the bush. It gets right down to the nitty gritty. Do not buy this book if you like the 1000-page grimoire. The book deals with elements of C++ that are not a part of C. This will frustrate the beginner, because most of these elements are intermediate or advanced topics. People who are experienced programmers and know C that need a book to get them up to speed quickly on C++ could do much worse than get this book.

When I started learning C++ I looked for a clear, concise book along the lines of Kernighan's and Ritchie's famous book on C. While Pohl's book does not quite come up to that standard, it was the closest to it among the books I thumbed through in the bookstore, and has been an especially good fit for an experienced C programmer like me. It is also an easier first book for learning than Stroustrup's book on C++.

I have Pohl's "A book on C", it is fantastic. So is this one. His consice and authoritive wording makes key ideas and concepts clear and memorable. Along with idiomatic examples which are OOP expressive, this is truly a great book for begin-to-subadvanced c++ readers.

This book is not a language reference, it's full of unique tactics and language features. People who know C Will gain a lot if they are moving to C++, However a book on purely C++ codes and syntaxes will help the learning process better.