C++ coding books, are these any good? Also where to get a compiler?

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Threepwood

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I have two C++ coding books I got when I was doing a course at CTI that I didn't finish (don't ask).

I am of two frames of thought:

1. Sell the books (they cost at least ~R500 for the two AFAIK), but don't know if they are out of date by now and therfore worthless?

2. Actually study them and learn how to code. I won't be going back to any learning institution for a while, as have no money to pay for a course, but the books reckon that you need no prior knowledge to learn from them, so I should be able to get somewhere on my own.

They both pretty much say to have Microsoft or Borland C++ compiler, apparently there is a "cheap" student version, how much do those go for? Are there any decent or very good open source/freeware compilers to use?

The books are, "The Waite Group's Object-Oriented programming in C++, Third Edition by Robert Lafore", and "The Waite Group's C Programming Using Turbo C++, Second Edition by Robert Lafore".

Considering that the one mentions "Turbo C++" do I need some special compiler for that, or any other special considerations??
 
Grab the studio Express ISO of the MS page....you'll find it easily. d/l works over local and is free.

it includes C# and C++ and two other thing that I forgot.

That should get you far enough to get you to the point where you can decide whether its worth spending serious $$$.

ETA: 700mb or so.
 
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RichardG said:
I would recommend you go and check out.

http://safari.oreilly.com
Click to expand...

Checked, they don't list the second book that I mentioned. But I googled for it. Can't really tell for sure, but on Amazon the book is only listed as used and new, AFAIK that's from private sellers? If so they don't really seem in current production.

Didn't search extensively but I can't find newer editions of each book, so they can't be that bad, well they haven't been updated :p

@HavocXphere, am I supposed to be looking at this, http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/?

I assume it's the ISO mentioned at the bottom of the page?

Also how to get it over local? It won't for me (Route Sentry, and I tried just using local only) Didn't actually start the download, but when I click the download link I can see it coming over In.t with RS and nothing happens when on local only.
 
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Yeah that. I just checked...it works over local. Start D/l on intl with FDM, pause switch to local and it works.
 
What about with RS?

I'll do some experimenting, but if you know how to make it work that way...

Anybody else have some input to offer? (see OP) Sure more will see it come Monday anyways...
 
HavocXphere said:
Its hosted on the akamai servers...so make sure those are configured correctly in the routing tables.
Click to expand...

I have no idea what those servers are :p

What's the IP,Subnet please?

EDIT: So I did some Googling, but I haven't yet found anything that will help me set up RS with this.
 
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If you do plan on selling the books, you might want to try Brain Books, they camped out on the corner of Lynwood and Roper streets (Across from the Tuks Main entrance) in a container, they sell books for a flat rate of R25 I think (if it is sold, else they just give your book back, no charge). I sold a few books there. They aren't going to be there for much longer but from next year they'll be there until near the end of the year again. Lot's of students buy there now because of the rip-off prices from other book stores.

On the topic of compilers, easiest is Microsoft Visual C++ Express, but if you want to go all hardcore C++ just get Borland of GCC and learn the standard library. Microsoft uses their own crappy little library but you can still use standard library (at least you can with Visual Studio, not sure about express editions).

I'd personally stick to standard library but that's up to you ;)
 
Well considering I don't really know the differences between libraries, I wouldn't know what to take given a choice.

Is learning with the microsoft library going to be a detriment in the future if I want to start using Borland or GCC?

I checked this:

http://gcc.gnu.org/install/binaries.html what exactly should I be going for here?

In that last part do you mean you can use libraries from say GCC in Visual Studio (maybe express)?
 
Yes everything Microsoft is Proprietary, C++ standard library is standardized by ISO (if I remember correctly) so every C++ compiler should theoretically support it for it to be spec complaint. I know Borland, GCC and Microsoft Visual C++ all support standard library but using standard library in Microsoft Visual C++ is a bit tricky, but the IDE is great, I think.

I heard Eclipse supports C++ also, that might be very good. Borland is the easiest to use.
GCC is for Linux mostly but Linux has ValGrind which is a memory leak tester that is freaking awesome and it's free, for Windows there is no such free solution.
 
HavocXphere said:
Its hosted on the akamai servers...so make sure those are configured correctly in the routing tables.
Click to expand...

If anyone knows, how to configure the akamai servers in my RS routing tables? Basically I need the IP and Subnet to stick in the routes file...

What about this here http://dn.codegear.com/article/20633, I don't really understand what you are getting here, and if it's good or not, AFAIK it is commnad line, so prob. not exactly what I need?

How (simply put) do you use standard libraries within MS visual studio or whatever, most importantly where and how does one get them?

Also I'm wondering what are the costs for Borland C++ and the student version, if anyone has an idea?
 
K well, you can get the borland compiler here:

http://www.cs.up.ac.za/download.php?id=21482

GCC is part of linux.

Visual C++ Express can be found here:

http://www.microsoft.com/express/vc/

As for standard library it's just the standard libraries included in all *proper* ;) c++ implementations.

For example iostream etc.

I learned C++ from Thinking in C++ (the book is free and can be downloaded online) and takes you through a lot of the standard library, but it's not a beginners book. C++ on the other hand isn't a beginners language either, rather start with Java.
 
My adsl is down so i cant give you the ip. Just create a standard pppoe connection and switch off rs for this.
 
K. I think I can manage to find the IP maybe :p, but how would I go about it, and finding the subnet too?

@Gnome, that Borland compiler you linked to is small, 9mb or something, while I have found this, http://cc.codegear.com/Free.aspx?id=24724 (same as in previous link I posted AFAIK), which is like +300mb. Plus the MS thing is much bigger too, what is that small compiler going to be lacking compared to these?

I'm attracted to that (Borland) mainly 'cos the one book I have is written specifically about using Turbo C++, I wouldn't think it would make a huge difference, but I think it would be better to go with that for this reason, it says the examples in the book should all work properly out of the box basically.

Ummm, if I'm going to be looking at Java, where's a good place to find some online tutorials/guides/how-to's/e-books/any other sources of info regarding learning programming? Sure I can find plenty myself, but if anyone knows some good places...
 
You dont need the ip Or the subnet. It redirects automatically. Get the file into a download manager shut down rs establish only the local connection and then the download will continue.
 
Ja I understand that it will work that way, but if possible I would like to stick the server's ip,subnet into my RS localroutes.dat file so that in future any traffic will come from that server over local...
 
Threepwood said:
@Gnome, that Borland compiler you linked to is small, 9mb or something, while I have found this, http://cc.codegear.com/Free.aspx?id=24724 (same as in previous link I posted AFAIK), which is like +300mb. Plus the MS thing is much bigger too, what is that small compiler going to be lacking compared to these?
Click to expand...

It's only got a compiler, it's not a IDE or anything like that, you simply compile source code to binary with it. It'll report compile errors and warnings but in text format.

It does have a few examples included but that is about as basic as it gets for Windows. It's also operated VIA the console, it's best if you read the readme.

The other compilers have IDE's which is why they are significantly larger.

Btw. if you're worried about a virus, that link is from the University of Pretoria Computer Science website so it should be ok ;)

You can also download the compiler directly from the Borland website btw. but you need to register and all kinds of things like that which is why I posted that link, makes it easier.
 
I realised where the download was from, not worried about any viruses.
 
Threepwood said:
I realised where the download was from, not worried about any viruses.
Click to expand...

ah ok :D

The original file was freecommandlinetools.exe (from Borland website) but I had trouble downloading it from Borland page. The setup is a bit tedious but once that is out the way it's pretty straight forward to get the file compiled, if you're comfortable with the console, it'll be easy and quick to use.

You can also use editors like Scite,etc. and just set them up to compile using that compiler (also a bit tedious), but you'll have syntax highlighting and whatever else. The IDE's are probably easier to setup but with Visual Studio like I said getting a project to NOT use the .NET Libraries is a bit of a mission (for me it is at least).
 
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