Where do I go to learn C++?

3 pointschphipps9y ago7 comments

I'm very interested in learning C++. I know it's hard... but I'm determined to do it. Anyone have any useful websites I should start with?

7 comments

Someone9y ago

How do you learn? I would buy Stroustrup's "The C++ Programming Language" http://www.stroustrup.com/4th.html and read it back to front, but that's not for everybody (stroustrup.com is worth looking at, regardless of how you learn)

What do you know? If you know C, for example, it is different than when all you know is prolog.

Also: what version? C++ has seen significant updates that changed C++ best practices quite a bit. I would aim for at least C++14, but if you want to work on older code or on software for a system that doesn't have a recent compiler, that isn't a good idea.

Finally: Learning C++ isn't as hard as 'the Internet' say it is; historically, it is more that you constantly have to be on your toes when writing code, especially for code that constructs, copies or takes down objects in various ways. Modern versions are better in that respect; you still can eek out every bit of performance, but if you don't try (which you shouldn't, in the first version of your program) and use modern idioms, there are far fewer pitfalls.

throwaway_3749y ago

As someone who recently returned to C++ after a few years away, start with C++11 which feels like a modern language and dare I say very Pythonic. I'd say you need to grasp the following concepts to get you up and running the quickest:

1. Fundamentals of C++ mainly virtual polymorphism and STL. Make sure you understand the mechanisms (vpointers and vtables) as I'd bet my house almost every C++ interview will cover these. 2. C++ 11 style including memory management. 3. The famous "50 ways" book for good practice such as const and explicit class declaration etc.

Lastly, probably the best Youtube resource I found for learning is the following bitesize 20 min lectures which explain key concepts, though some may be a bit outdated. Watch one over lunch and practice in your IDE at the same time.

https://www.youtube.com/user/BoQianTheProgrammer/playlists

peter_retief9y ago

Its not the language that is difficult its the underlying systems that are complex. What do you want to do with it? What is your passion? The language is just a tool

chphippsOP9y ago

Sure. I find the education system very straightforward and downright boring, to be frank, being a high school student, however, I am constricted to it on a day-to-day basis.

I love real-world application and so I see coding and development in general as the way forward for me personally - to be honest the whole world of startups.

I'm currently running a start-up company and learning code on the side. I guess the end goal is to be able to develop world-class applications? That's why I want to learn C++.

sirrele9y ago

So lets push this a little farther. What type of "world-class" application? Do you want to do a mobile app, web app, desktop?

C++ is an amazing language, and I use it almost everyday. However, I develop most of my applications with JavaScript, and that includes web, mobile, and desktop applications. I am using C++ in my application with Nodejs for my more computational heavy operations.

The more specific you are, and I know you are excited and have all the wonder in world, but it will allow this community to help you. Best of luck!

brudgers9y ago

My generic advice: http://norvig.com/21-days.html

fithisux9y ago

You should start with D. The one true C++.

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