Ivor Horton's Beginning Visual C++ 2005

I have 12 years of C++/MFC experience and I still found this book to be THE one that would ultimately propel me to learn C++/CLI and be on my way to becoming as proficient in .NET as I am in MFC. I still have a long ways to go, but this book is the one to start with.

I bought this book because I needed to switch from C# 2003 to C++ 2005. It looks great at a glance... In fact, it IS great! From my point of view, it has at least 2 serious advantages over any other C++ 2005 book that I've seen so far: 1. While most other books focus on Windows Forms, this one has several chapters on MFC (which is exactly what I needed). With experience in C# (.NET 1.1), I am not interested in WinForms (there are no major differences in developing WinForms in C# and C++), but many legacy apps were written using MFC. 2. Unlike many other C++ books, this one has several exercises at the end of each chapter. If in doubt, sample answers (solutions) are available for download from the publisher's website. I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs to get up to speed with C++ 2005.

This book is oriented to teaching you how to program in C++ in Microsoft environments. Specifically it teaches two distinct versions of C++: First is standard ISO/ANSI standard C++ that will run on anything and is specifically for the development of high performance applications that run in native mode on the computer. Second is C++/CLI which is part of Microsoft's .NET framework. .NET is a library of routines that accomplish many of the standard tasks that you would otherwise have to program yourself. The book is based around the Visual Studio 2005 development environment. Visual Studio is a full fledged IDE, the tools it provides will make writing code much easier. In fact, this and the inclusion of C++/CLI are what set this book apart from others. If you are not interested in using Visual Studio, you may want to consider another of Mr. Horton's books. This book is in reference, format. That is, it follows more of a traditional textbook format rather than the tutorial, one step at a time, approach of many others. Mr. Horton's writing style is relaxed and easy, it appeals to many of us. By the end ot twelve hundred pages you will need something light and easy.

I have been developing in Managed C++ for a little over a year now. I use VB.NET as well and often using the two languages together. My previous books on the subject were void of any serious explanations and did a poor job of covering some of its features. In fact, I discovered one book had written an entire chapter based off of an article in the MSDN library and had the exact same examples in it (shame on you guys). I originally learned the core language from Ivor's ANSI/ISO C++ book years ago. I recommend it to the other programmers I work with, telling them it fantastic for refreshing you memory or as a simple syntax reference. Simply put, even though I've been writing C++ for over 4 years, I was more than happy to buy this new book. Ivor is a top-notch author and explains everything clear and concise. His examples show you common flaws and how to fix them. Its not only a great guide to writing Managed C++ for .NET 2.0, it's also a great review for the core language. I recommend this book to everyone who wants anything to do with C++! You've done it again Ivor!

I found this book to be a great introduction for an aspiring programmer. I have considered the idea of programming and recently decided to get serious about it. I spent 3 hours at the local bookstore examining this book before deciding to purchase it. The book is 1182 pages and I think you actually get two books in one. In the first chapter the author lays out his approach with this book. Before attempting Windows programming he teaches you how to program in the native ISO/ANSI C++ and the C++/CLI versions of the language. The author spends the first 10 chapters some 611 pages on the basics of programming before starting Windows programming using .NET. He uses console applications to teach you the basics in the first 10 chapters. This to me is the first book. The second book is his use of the remaining 12 chapters another 571 pages on the fundamentals of Windows programming using Visual C++ 2005. The author is incredibly methodical in teaching the fundamentals in a relaxed style making it easy to absorb and learn. I am certain there are other equally compelling beginning books on programming however I really do like this book.