What is the best way to learn C++ if I have a bit of other programming experience? [closed]

Answer 1

My usual advice is to keep C and C++ separate. Don't assume that C advice or best practices apply to C++, and vice versa. Keeping that in mind will probably help you avoid a lot of bad habits.

Answer 2

Here is the reading/learning list I suggest

• First read Thinking in C++ first edition (get the syntax straight)
• Read Scott Meyer's book Effective C++ (get the finer nuances)

After which you can branch out to the following. You can skip all except maybe 1st. You may use boost, STL, whatever to learn these 1 Learn to use strings & other containers (know when to use which container) 2 Assuming you already know XML, learn to use XML from C++ (Write a WBXML to XML translator maybe) 3 Review your TCP/IP fundamentals, (write simple XMPP based chat client maybe) 4 You may wish to learn some GUI toolkit GTK+, Qt, MFC, whatever

At this time you may want to branch out into reading about design patterns. I recommend 'Design Patterns Explained'.

Once you've spent over an year working with C++ you may want to read, among others, "Inside the C++ Object Model".

Also, I don't recommend that you read Stroustrup but YMMV.

HTH

Answer 3

Learn Qt. Trust me on this; I develop all kinds of C++ app for a living. C++ with Qt makes you infinitely more productive. I used to combine so many different libraries (Boost, Intel's, database connectors, etc..) just to achieve the kind of stuff we do (high-performance/real-time computing). At the end, I found that more than 80% of what I need is already included in Qt.

Not to mention, imo, Qt has the best documentation on any framework/library I've worked on, which makes it very easy to just learn everything on your own.

Try it, and see for yourself.

Disclaimer: I'm just a developer--I dont work for Nokia. =p

Answer 4

One of the critical things to really become better is to others have a look at your code. When others say 'WTF' to your code, you can improve it and learn from your mistakes.

Try to use code analysis tools, try to use C++ conventions (for example google's http://google-styleguide.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/cppguide.xml), try to use valgrind for memory leak detection. Learn how to write Make scripts manually, try some cross platform compilations to see what parts are tricky.

You might also want to take a look at some popular libraries such as boost.

As of the project, make it opensource so people can look at it and give you suggestions. To really incorporate your lack of CS education, grab a scientific paper and try to implement it using c++. Check the results and compare them.

Answer 5

Bjarne's book is fantastic, especially for C++ syntax, but the one book that will really make you a competent C++ programmer is Meyers' Effective C++. Get it. Read it.

I as well do not have a CS degree, but I work for a silicon valley startup. It is possible, you just have to be aware of what's out there and never stop learning. Many students who graduate with a computer science degree end up working in a language they didn't study, so be sure to hit the fundamentals. If you hear something that's unfamiliar to you, be sure to find a good book and a coffee shop and get to it. The C++ will come in time - with Stroustrup and Meyers, you've got 90% of what it takes to be good at C++

Answer 6

If you're on this Stroustrup book:

The C++ Programming Language
http://www.research.att.com/~bs/3rd.html

And finding it hard going... which it can be. You might want to switch and start with this one instead:

Programming -- Principles and Practice Using C++
http://www.research.att.com/~bs/programming.html