C++ is an object-oriented enhancement of the C programming language and is becoming the language of choice for serious software development. C++ has crossed the Single Book Complexity Barrier. The individual features are not all that complex, but when put together in a program they interact in highly non-intuitive ways. Many books discuss each of the features separately, giving readers the illusion that they understand the language. But when they try to program, they're in for a painful surprise (even people who already know C). C++: The Core Language is for C programmers transitioning to C++. It's designed to get readers up to speed quickly by covering an essential subset of the language. The subset consists of features without which it's just not C++, and a handful of others that make it a reasonably useful language. You can actually use this subset (using any compiler) to get familiar with the basics of the language. Once you really understand that much, it's time to do some programming and learn more from other books. After reading this book, you'll be far better equipped to get something useful out of a reference manual, a graphical user interface programming book, and maybe a book on the specific libraries you'll be using. (Take a look at our companion book, Practical C++ Programming.) C++: The Core Language includes sidebars that give overviews of all the advanced features not covered, so that readers know they exist and how they fit in. It covers features common to all C++ compilers, including those on UNIX, Windows NT, Windows, DOS, and Macintosh. Comparison: C++: The Core Language vs. Practical C++ Programming O'Reilly's policy is not to publish two books on the same topic for the same audience. We'd rather spend twice the time on making one book the industry's best. So why do we have two C++ tutorials? Which one should you get? The answer is they're very different. Steve Oualline, author of the successful book Practical C Programming, came to us with the idea of doing a C++ edition. Thus was born Practical C++ Programming. It's a comprehensive tutorial to C++, starting from the ground up. It also covers the programming process, style, and other important real-world issues. By providing exercises and problems with answers, the book helps you make sure you understand before you move on. While that book was under development, we received the proposal for C++: The Core Language. Its innovative approach is to cover only a subset of the language -- the part that's most important to learn first -- and to assume readers already know C. The idea is that C++ is just too complicated to learn all at once. So, you learn the basics solidly from this short book, which prepares you to understand some of the 200+ other C++ books and to start programming. These two books are based on different philosophies and are for different audiences. But there is one way in which they work together. If you are a C programmer, we recommend you start with C++: The Core Language, then read about advanced topics and real-world problems in Practical C++ Programming.

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C++: The Core Language Review,  July 31 2001
Submitted by Mark Nenadov   [Respond | View]

This is another impressive title from O'Reilly. When I first bought the book, I really wished I hadn't because the book was intended for C programmers (which I was not). At that time I was basically new to C++. Later on, after taking a course in C++ and learning some of it on my own, I really found the book to be insightful.

The book revealed alot of things that my teachers would blatently skip over. I really appreciate that it focused on the things that make C++ what it is. It doesn't pretend to be comprehenseive, but it covers alot more than many so-called "comprehensive" books cover. I really recommend this book for C programmers wishing to move to C++ and also C++ programmers who would like to have a deeper understanding of C++'s rich OO features.


C++: The Core Language Review,  October 29 1999
Submitted by Shawn   [Respond | View]



I found the first few chapters fairly interesting. I have moderate C background so some of the concepts made a lot of sense. However, I think the examples used by the author could have been a little more practical. They did not help me understand anything at all. Most of the examples were too complex. I don't understand why they used such bizzarre examples for such simple points that they were trying to make. Many times I couldn't figure out if the examples were realistic. In other words, I couldn't tell if some of the programs had real instructions and keywords or if the author was being hypothetical situations with pieces to programs that didn't really have actual C++ keywords but words used to describe what the program might do. I'd prefer that examples be a little more complete then what was presented. THis really made it hard for me to learn. Overall I think the book was fair. For C programmers that have LOTS of experience, this book would be very useful. But if your C background is moderate, this book will not help you much. The first 5 or 6 chapters will make some sense and the rest will be clear as mud. For my particular experience level, I should've spent my money on something different such as a C++ primer or C++ primer plus. Those books are written more like school text books with chapter summarys and lots of REAL example problems throughout the chapter and at the end of each chapter.


C++: The Core Language Review,  October 13 1999
Submitted by David Wolfe   [Respond | View]



Some of the other reviewers carped about the book's glossing over of subjects such as templates, OOP design, exceptions and the like. I didn't find these omissions to be problematic. The authors' contention is that "C++ has crossed the single book complexity barrier", and I tend to agree. Cramming more information into the book would do two things: 1) give readers a false sense of mastery of some very complex subjects, 2) detract from the stated purpose of the book: "to get readers up to speed quickly by covering an essential subset of the langauge". I think "C++: The Core Language" does an excellent job of just what it set out to do--and no more. That's a *strength* of the book, not a weakness. If you already know C (and know it pretty well), you can read this book in a day or two and feel like, "Hey, I see what this C++ thing is about." You can immediately begin to write some programs and play around with the language. Then--as the authors say on the back cover--"it's time to [sic] learn more from other books." Bottom-line: be prepared to buy other books on this complicated language after reading this great introduction for C programmers. [Caveat: If your knowledge of C is weak, you won't get a whole lot from this book. Everything is presented in terms of C++'s relationship to C, so you'd be better served by another book if you only 'sorta' know C....]


C++: The Core Language Review,  October 11 1999
Submitted by Tristan Miller   [Respond | View]



An excellent introduction to C++ for experienced C programmers. The text is well-written, and the examples are clear and easy to follow. The book's only failing is that it does not cover the complete language. I understand that the author wanted to cover only a subset of the language; I just don't understand why. Another hundred pages and this book would cover the basics of C++ completely! Why no material on exceptions, initialization lists, and templates? Surely an introduction to these concepts would not fill a second volume; thus, readers wanting the whole story are forced to buy another "learn C++" book that *does* incorporate these topics. Given the preponderance of good C++ books out there, I advise people who are seriously interested in learning the whole language to save their money and consider another title. On the other hand, if you're looking at mastering just the basics and nothing more, "C++: The Core Language" may be just the thing for you.


C++: The Core Language Review,  June 21 1999
Submitted by Kamesh Kompella   [Respond | View]



This is a no nonsense beginner's (assumes moderate C background)
book that takes you to the heart of C++ right from the start
as the title promises. It also teaches you concepts in C that
Kernighan and Ritchie do not stress. The examples clear up the concepts
.just remember the examples when in doubt and the concept will come to the fore!

Once the book is read, keep it by your side. As the book is dense with
concepts you may need to read the book again.




C++: The Core Language Review,  May 25 1999
Submitted by J.S. Hsu   [Respond | View]



My type of book ! Small, effective and to the points.
The authors used "small" examples to illustrate
both the right and wrong ways to use the core language features.
Probablly one of the most effective methods of teaching .

This is definitely "the" first C++ book for "busy" C developers.

Could you please include exception handling
and STL in the next edition ?


C++: The Core Language Review,  May 17 1999
Submitted by wes smith   [Respond | View]



Great Book!
If you have a solid background in C and don't know a CLASS from a hole in the ground, this book is for you. A fast easy read.


C++: The Core Language Review,  April 26 1999
Submitted by James Martin   [Respond | View]



Not only is this an excellent review of C++, it's also an excellent review of C. My bread and butter language is VB, but a lot of learning material is still geared (necessarily) to C/C++. This book was exactly what I needed to allow me to follow the "foreign" examples provided by most of the tomes related to the inner workings of Windows and Microsoft's DNA. Thanks.

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