Starting out in C++

I would strongly recommend VC version 6 over 5.  5 is good but 6 is much closer to the ANSI/ISO standard so you may find that the help you find will be more applicable to VC 6.   (Although either version's "shortcomings" really tend to appear only in the more advanced features, so you might not encounter a problem anyways.)

I would recommend you get a hold of Bjarne Stroustrup's "The C++ Programming Language" currently in 3rd ed.  It is good at teaching C++ to programmers that already know how to program.  You also might want to get a good introductory C++ book, like Deital and Deital's "C++: How to Program"--that are many of these, that is just one I know by name.

For more advanced programming the Scott Meyer books "Effective C++" and "More Effective C+" are nearly essential.  They are very very well known in the C++ community.  

I really don't think web sites usually are as a good a resource as a good book.

If you want to write windows apps, you should _also_ get a book such as "Programming Windows 95" by Charles Petzold. You may also look up a book about MFC like "Programming Windows With MFC" by Jeff Prosise or anyother book on MFC.

Note, these books assume that you already know C++ so you better first get the books nietod suggested and then move to mine.

Good luck,
Arnon David.

"C++ for Dummies" or the "Idiots Guide To C++" are invaluable for starting off and making sure you understand all of the concepts.

never buy a dummies book or thats what you will be :-)

Hi !!
 U can also refer to these books for as a beginner

1)C++ programming by "Balaguruswamy"
2)C++ by "Eric Nagler"

If you understand what programming is about then I would suggest:

Essential C++, by Stan Lippman.

This book has the major advantages that:

- it is only about 200 pages long. But more than good enough to get you up and running.  I would rather this style of book than one of the much more typical 1000 page stuff.

- its also very current.  Covers all the modern topics like Generic programming and the standard library.

I wouldn't recommend that you use Stroustrup's book as anything other than a reference.  As a learning resource I think its fairly hopeless.  The writing is not good enough.  

>> I wouldn't recommend that you use
>> Stroustrup's book as anything other
>> than a reference
I don't think it is good for a beginner.  (not at all.)  But I think that it is good for someone who already knows programming, but doesn't yet know C++.  Although there may be better ones....

thank you everyone for all your help, i'll see about the books!

<dnijaguar>