Book on C++

I would usually follow chensu's advice unquestionly.  But I dissagree with him here.  It is not that much about C++. It contains a lot on how to use VC.  That is, how to create programs, how to use the online help, how to debug, etc,  Then it contains a lot about windows programming in C++, topics like MFC, OLE, COM, TCP, etc.  But this is more about windows than it is about C++.  (If you need windows programming information, this is pretty good, but it is not what you want if you are looking for C++ information).

Two non-beginner books that I would absolute insist on are Scott Meyer's "Effective C+" and "More Effective C++"  They each deal with about 20 different topics that tend to be big problems for C++ programmers.  They will help you make the transition from writtin in C++ to writting WELL in C++.  Its a big step!

Regardless of what you decide on the othe books, you should get the Effective C++ books!

The effective C++ books are not complete refernces.  They deal with sellect issues.  But Bjarne Stroustrup's "The C++ Programming Language" is a complete reference.  Its documents all (most?) of the details and has plenty of examples.  It is not an introductory text as it moves pretty quickly to be able tp get all the details in.  As the topics get more addvanced, it seems to slow down and provide more examples and info.

Opps!  I was thinking of the wrong book!  Chensu's suggestion might be fine.  However, the effetive C++ books are still great.

I should have know not to dissagree with Chensu.

chensu:
Microsoft says this book covers mainly

-Fundamental topics--event handling, GDI, dialog boxes, memory management, SDI and MDI, printing, and help

-Advanced topics--multithreading, DIBs, ODBC, and DLLs

-ActiveXTM topics--creating document objects and ActiveX controls, COM, Automation, and using wizards and compiler extensions that support COM

-C++ programming for the Internet--Winsock, MFC WinInet, and ISAPI extension programs for Microsoft Internet Information Server

Does it also cover the basic stuff like pointers etc? I need to get 100% solid on these first before I get into more stuff.

If not, then what other book teaches the basics, the advanced, and the expert stuff all in one?

If you have any doubts about the one chensu suggested, then try the stroustrup book.  It does teach the basics, but barely, it assumes you are an experienced programmer who just doesn't know C++.

Since you are going to learn Visual C++ 5 and you are not familiar with C++, you definitely need to read two books at least. One is the C++ tutorial, the other is the Visual C++ specific one. Bjarne Stroustrup's "The C++ Programming Language" nietod suggests is quite good.

I ignored C++ basic things and nietod ignored Visual C++ 5 specific things. Combine his and mine, you get the answer.

I've ordered both. Now who wants the points?

Well we both WANT them.  But Chensu got here first.  I was just giving you a second opinion.  

By the way, what I do from time to time, especially when I started C++, is spend a day at Borders or Barnes and Nobles bookstores.  They have hundreds of books on C++ and other computer topics and they've got comfortable chairs.  I ussually take a dozen books from the shelves and skim them.  Most of them go back to the shelves, but I ussually buy at least one.

I've done that on CGI's before. So, nietod, tell me when you read this, then I will award chensu the huge number of 5 points and remember on further questions that you helped me here ;-)

Go for it.

Excellent!
Let those 20 points take you to the top :-)

No, really, thanks for your help in spite of the low points. I'll remember that.

Good luck and happy programming.

thank you.