Which book should I get? Accelerated C++ vs. C++ Primer Plus (5th Edition) - Developers

Hey guys. I'm currently trying to throw Game Maker out the window, and for that I want to learn C++. I've looked at plenty online tutorials and messed around with SFML, but I'd like to be able to write simple programs (like the todo manager I'm working on now). The thing is, as of now I don't have enough money to buy 2 books (fml), so I have to choose for either [url=http://www.amazon.com/Accelerated-C-Practical-Programming-Example/dp/020170353X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302272406&sr=8-1]Accelerated C++[/url] or [url=http://www.amazon.com/Primer-Plus-5th-Stephen-Prata/dp/0672326973/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302266020&sr=8-1]C++ Primer Plus.[/url] Considering I have some knowledge of C++, which book would be the best for me? Thanks for listening. [editline]9th April 2011[/editline] ...okay, aparently nobody here reads programming books?

I've had a look at both and I'd say go for the second one, C++ Primer Plus - I've looked at the contents and it seems to cover all the basics, although I don't think you'll be writing games by the end of it. But by the time you've finished that book you'll be able to understand web tutorials on SFML much more comprehensively I think. The first book looked okay too I think it goes into cool things like sorting algorithms which you'll want to learn about (I've not looked at the contents I'm just going by the reviews) and I was going to say to go for that one originally, but I figure you might as well get the second one and have a solid understanding in the basics. Just remember to stick with it once you've got the book, because you'll be writing nothing but console apps with that book (I think) and I can imagine coming from Game Maker you might get bored of that, but you'll just have to stick with it.

[QUOTE=JenkinsJ;29084669]I can imagine coming from Game Maker you might get bored of that, but you'll just have to stick with it.[/QUOTE] Yeah, that happened when I tried to learn C++ when I was 11, but I'm pretty much on a dead end right now. It's either learn C++ or nothing. Thanks for the tip, I'll be getting Primer Plus then.

Remember that sometimes it's not about the material you learn from it's also about the environment. If you're in a loud noisy place you're seriously going to struggle to learn. If you're in a quiet room, with maybe some music you'll learn a lot easier. I've been trying to learn C++ for about 3 years now. But due to the number of people living in my house I struggle very much to concentrate.

If you listen to music while learning, make sure the music doesn't have lyrics.

[QUOTE=The DooD;29104357]If you listen to music while learning, make sure the music doesn't have lyrics.[/QUOTE] Some people can do this and some people can't, I happen to be one of the people that can't, usually it's quiet when I'm learning something, or I have an old podcast on or something. [QUOTE=cdlink14;29094232]Remember that sometimes it's not about the material you learn from it's also about the environment. If you're in a loud noisy place you're seriously going to struggle to learn. If you're in a quiet room, with maybe some music you'll learn a lot easier. I've been trying to learn C++ for about 3 years now. But due to the number of people living in my house I struggle very much to concentrate.[/QUOTE] I'm sceptical about this, surely if the reason you couldn't learn C++ is due the environment, then you couldn't have learnt [i]anything[/i] in the past 3 years? Since the environment is the same? I'm not trying to have a pop at you or anything, I hope I haven't upset you, I'm just saying this because the OP might see this and think "Oh my, 3 years? Is that how long it's going to take?" and that's not really the case. If you're having trouble learning C++ maybe you should try a different approach? Perhaps if you've been reading a book try taking a class or something, or vice versa?

Am I the only one that didn't learn anything from books at all?

[QUOTE=Moustach3;29139580]Am I the only one that didn't learn anything from books at all?[/QUOTE] No. I learned from the internet mainly and used my books as quick references. It would probably be quicker to Google anything I wanted to look up, but there's something about using a physical book that I like. That being said, I read exclusively from my Kindle nowadays.

[QUOTE=Samuka97;29070866]Hey guys. I'm currently trying to throw Game Maker out the window, and for that I want to learn C++. I've looked at plenty online tutorials and messed around with SFML, but I'd like to be able to write simple programs (like the todo manager I'm working on now). The thing is, as of now I don't have enough money to buy 2 books (fml), so I have to choose for either [url=http://www.amazon.com/Accelerated-C-Practical-Programming-Example/dp/020170353X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302272406&sr=8-1]Accelerated C++[/url] or [url=http://www.amazon.com/Primer-Plus-5th-Stephen-Prata/dp/0672326973/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302266020&sr=8-1]C++ Primer Plus.[/url] Considering I have some knowledge of C++, which book would be the best for me? Thanks for listening. [editline]9th April 2011[/editline] ...okay, aparently nobody here reads programming books?[/QUOTE] I would get the primer. I'm having it here and i really like the explenation. It'se very clear and you get some tasks + questions at the end to see if you understand what you've seen.

Thanks guys, I ordered C++ Primer Plus. But since I'm on Brazil, it'll take 1 month and a half for it to arrive :downs: