1998 C++ book

[trashthing]

i have this C++ book published in 1998 sitting on my shelf. do you think a C++ book from 1998 is to old to read? the name of the book is, "C++ Primer Plus."

[mchangun]

if u're just starting to learn, then no, probably not. The basics have rarely change, if ever.

[nowonmai]

If it's the one by Lippman, then it's one of the best books written on C++
the ISO standard was finalised around '97 IIRC so this should be fine

[trashthing]

it's by Stephen Prata, is that an ok book? it says it's the "Final ANSI/ISO Standard C++."

[nowonmai]

I'm not familiar with it, but I've read reviews, most of which were extremely positive... a couple maintained that he's not the best teacher if you're a complete newbie... he tends to get a little convoluted.
If it covers the ISO standard and includes STL (standard template library) then it's the current C++

[terribleRobbo]

What about the unassuming grey Stroustrup one I've got sitting on my shelf? :D

[dysharmonic]

Got a 1999 C++ book here. Still working thru it... As some have said, for beginners learning the basics to programming, I think it's much okay.

[nowonmai]

Originally posted by terribleRobbo
What about the unassuming grey Stroustrup one I've got sitting on my shelf? :D

sure... if you want to be irreversibly scared away from C++ forever. I know he devloped the thing and all, but sometimes the least qualified to teach are the original developers.

it's more a whitepaper than a how-to

[terribleRobbo]

I agree completely. I know it scared me away. :D

I only recently got back into it after learning Java. :-S

[nowonmai]

one of the best books on C++ is 'Thinking in C++' by Bruce Eckel... it's freely available from his website... just do a search

he also has 'Thinking in Java', an equally excellent book

if you can put up with reading books on a computer, or want to print them yourself, they're definitely the way to go. of if you have a palmtop, just get the version for that... I have both on a PalmIIIx