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Rating: 
Summary: Not too shabby!
Review: I am a computer professional who was being left behind by all the new technology that I was not getting a chance to work with. I needed to upgrade my skills. My company happened to have a Developer version of C++ builder 4 sitting around (I am primarily a C/C++ programmer) and decided to go for this for no other reason as I could get it for nothing! I was also writing some VB code at the time I surfed the Net for some good doco on the language and I found this book (the full text in the form of a free eBook). OH JOY! I love this book. It certainly doesn't tell you everything. But with the richness of a language like C++, the merging of the Object pascal visual components library (VCL) and all the other stuff you need to know these days how can any ONE book possibly do that. What it does do however is to concentrate on the new aspects of Borland's C++ language which are introduced with C++ Builder (namely the VCL and the associated components). Just what you need if you are already familiar with the older libraries and do not want yet another book that describes libraries that are in every other reference book. Ad infinitum! I have thumbed through several C++ Builder books in bookstores that simply regurgitate the same old material. One in particular had just a few pages on the VCL. A waste of my hard earned money! What does this book have that the others don't?: Well besides detailed overview's, explanation's, information, examples and some great trivia (some don't like this 'property' of the author, but personally I find it refreshing ... and often enlightening). HE CONCENTRATES ON THE "VCL". Yay team! Look to put it bluntly! The man - Charlie - and the language is my dupli-hero! (I have to roll them up into a big ball of enlightenment which is greater than the sum of its parts). With their help I was able to build a plethora (...What is a plethora Jose?...) of useful utilities at work, that actually improved our efficiency and allowed me to go home at a reasonable hour. I am so grateful for a really useful text that I have decided to purchase a real copy of this book (as opposed to the free ebook that I was using as a reference) as homage to the man. This book is my Bible! Note 1: His subsequent work covering C++ Builder 3 Unleashed is also a rip snorter (that's Aussie for 'excellent'). Again, this does NOT retrace all the stuff from his previous book, but takes us even deeper. Note 2: To all you VB programmer's out there ... C++ builder is Visual basic with GRUNT. No. Sorry. I mean MEGA GRUNT! Gotta go now. See what's in his "C++ Builder 4 Unleashed"! Thanks Charlie. Hope to thank you personally soon!
Rating: 
Summary: Find the LEASH
Review: I expected more from this books after going through its contents. The database sections is invaluable for DB beginners, but the basics as far as ANSISTRING, STRINGLISTS, and/or integrating C++ Builder, C++, and real-world solutions to application development never rears its head. This book is not consistent and is choppy in its presentation. Overall, it is good for the advanced Visual C++ programmer as an intro to C++ builder.
Rating:
Summary: A gripping book
Review: It is obvious from reading this book that Charlie was rush. Several chapters contain references to Pascal syntax leading me to believe they were borrowed in large part from Delphi 2 Unleashed. On the positive side Charlie does cover alot of interesting material in this book and I don't regret spending the money.
Rating: 
Summary: Dig the book, you'll be pleasantly surprised!
Review: The only two things that prevent this book from getting and 8 or above rating are 1) the errors and 2) the absence of updated code as promised. As for the content, this is a book to read if you are aspiring to be an application programmer and believe that Internet, Microsoft (surprise), and Database programming are things to learn in the new future. Why?? because it explains in depth about SQL, it serves a healthy dose of DCOM, Internet programming, even Game Programming. If you are even slightly interested in one or more of those areas, you ought to check this book out.The example programs are also interesting albeit rather hard to compile.I have checked out other Borland C++ Builder books and none of them is close to this one in terms of contents and original ideas presented
Rating:
Summary: Nothing else covers BCB databases in such depth.
Review: This is the ideal book for anyone wanting to learn about database programming in Builder. It covers indepth the basics on desktop databases right throught to Client/Server programming. It assumes some basic familiarity with C++ and Builder and is an ideal follow on to "Teach Your Self BCB in 21 Days".
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