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Summary: This is REALLY where to start!
Review: Anyone reading these reviews is obviously just getting started in C++, and if you're like I was 6 months ago, you're probably confused by all the "starter" books out there. Don't waste your time! Buy this book (and only this one until you get your feet wet) -- you will not be disappointed. The format/layout and efficiency of each chapter will keep you well focused and keep you from yanking your hair out. I needed a crash course in C++ and of course, it just couldn't be done (21 Days? Don't even think about it!) -- other books got me nowhere, but Ivor's book allowed me to spring into an Advanced C++ course with no prior training and keep my head above the water. Keep in mind the new ANSI/ISO standard, which Ivor covers in great detail. Do yourself a favor and minimize the headaches...start here!
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Summary: Simply a great start for C++!
Review: As a high schooler, I am only starting my journey into the world of programming. As a junior I took 2 semesters of TrueBASIC. After becoming the official BASIC guru of the school, and having reached the limit of TB's abilities, I decided to take a crack at C++. Having only programmed for a year, and being used to the ridiculous ease of TB, Horton's book taught me everything I know about C++. Now, I'm the official C++ guru of the school, having surpassed the teacher's level some time ago. Horton made the daunting world of C++ friendly and smooth. Although it took a while to get through (a month of dedicated work over the summer), every description of every feature was explained with just enough detail to be interesting, and not enough to be boring. Although my experience with C++ books is limited, I would say that this is the best, simply because it worked great for me! Highly recommended.
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Summary: Great explanations!
Review: As relative newcomer to the programming world, learning C++ is important to me. C++ is not an easy language to learn, and there are way too many books, which all rehash the same things, without thorough explanations of important details. This book filled in all the information that I missed in other C++ books. I'm constantly reading sections and thinking 'Wow, I wish I'd known about this before... so THAT'S why it's done this way...' etc. This book is a real eye opener, because it explains things clearly and simply. I wouldn't recommend it to a complete newbie, but it sure helped me. One other note... the examples will work only with a newer compiler (ANSI compliant), so VC5 or 6 are probably your best bet.
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Summary: Exellently written... A must have for new programmers to C++
Review: Because of this book, I, being a 12 year old boy can create nice quality programs in C++. I recommend any other books written by Ivor Horting as well. He brings all that "jargon" into easily understandable words. If a twelve year old can get C++ with this book, I certainly think you will master this book.
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Summary: Great book, good teaching, fair execution.
Review: Because this was the first C++ book I purchased, I can't be too biased against other instructional material. While I have learned a great deal, there are still a number of topics that are left without clear explanation. For that matter, I have been flocking to a number of C++ Usenet groups to figure out just the book meant to explain in a certain section.Ivor Horton does a great job of explaning all the key concepts you'll need to program in C++, (Data types, arrays, strings, pointers, Classes, Inheritance, etc.) but I disliked the order in which he did it. As another user explained, he jumped right into Bitwise operators in chapter three (And also didn't clearly explain why we would need them in our beginning programming). They weren't touched on again for another 15 chapters. Also, when he wrote the excersizes, he must have expected you to be able to go out and research on your own, because as in one case, the book asks you to make a simple currency exchange program (with struct, classes were in the next chapter) complete with constructors and destructors. Well, guess what? Destructors aren't even mentioned until three chapters later. Many excersizes in the book follow this routine, asking you to do tasks which have not been sufficiently covered. He covers a great deal of material, but fails to explain the omnipresent "Why?" question. Fortunately, the instruction was made a tad easier to understand, since you can download the answers to the excersizes, as well as copies of the examples, on their website .... If you already know some C, this would be a fine book to continue your studies into C++. If this is your first book, I highly recommend getting a companion book (I know the costs can add up...), such as the "C++ FAQs (2nd Edition)" book to explain the gaps in Horton's instruction. Otherwise, I'd say that "Ivor Horton's Beginning C++" has gotten me to a good takeoff, but it's left me without a place to land.
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Summary: THE definitive C++ source
Review: by far the best C++ book/reference out there. The examples are graduated and easy to follow. The metaphors used solidify the concepts and the pace is swift but reasonable
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Summary: No second thoughts - Buy It !
Review: Despite the book having relatively quite a number of errors here and there (considering it's now in the 3rd. edition) and coming with a slightly steeper price tag, it's still a book every professional C++ programmer should have on their reference shelves.
The overall flow is very logical and sensible. Presentation is clear and with simple reinforcing illustrations. For e.g. the concept of Namespace has been explained in such a simple and clear manner, the method to pass-by-reference and it's difference with using pointers is well explained. I've searched for details about the notation - function_name<data_type>(arg_1, arg_2) - i.e. template parameters in Deitel's C++ text but to no avail. I found it readily explained in Horton's book. This may not be a one-on-one substitute for Deitel's text but if you're serious about C++, then get Horton's along with Deitel's.
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Summary: The best C++ book, in my book
Review: Even though the title says "Beginning C++", this text will propel you right to the intermediate level. Horton does not leave a stone unturned and that's the beauty of the book. He lays out _everything_ without having the "you'll find out later" attitude. Sure, there is almost a sickening amount of small details when it comes to C++ . I took this book by storm three times before I could actually finish it since there is just so much information that has to sink in. This is a complete, thorough introduction to the language and I have not seen any other book that comes even close. The author's coding style is very clean and elegant, which I can say about this book in general. The explanations of code examples are so complete you will never have any questions or misunderstandings. To a total programming newbie this text may be a bit overwhelming but if you have prior coding experience in other languages you will be satisfied with the completeness of the title. I am impressed by the fact that the author could explain such a gigantic language in one book. Others either leave out a lot of details, or just can't put it all together, making a complete mess. You will probably not find a better book than "Beginning C++".
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Summary: Thorough Explanation
Review: Guys, If you like to learn yourself with examples this is the right book. The best part is Ivor Horton uses one example program and adds all the features of Object Oriented programming has to offer as you go through the end of the book. In other words you will figure out how a basic object oriented program can be tuned to flawless object oriented program and use all the best features of OOPS as you go through chapters. If you want to brushup ur C Skills this book covers that too.
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Summary: A great reference book
Review: Hat's off to Mr. Horton. This book was used as a supplemental text for an introductory C++ course. The examples are plentiful and comprehensive. The web site offers detailed examples plus solutions to the exercises. A well thought out book that helped me greatly.
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