Newbie: Herbert Schildt

[Killo]

I recently borrowed the book"Teach yourself C++" by Herbert Schildt
from a library as that is one of the only books in C++ (I live in
Ireland). Should I bring it back and not read it, are his books
really that bad.
Thanks in advance

[David Harmon]

I think it will be OK to go ahead and read it, as long as you keep
firmly in mind that anything in it might be a lie. The same as reading
a newspaper. Do not take any bets down at the pub based on it. H.S. is
good at explaining things very simply, but often by making things
simpler than they really are. Take it back to the library when you are
done with it and get some other book to keep around as a reference.
My favorite is still Stroustrup -- even he gets some things wrong but at
least he fixes them: http://www.research.att.com/~bs/3rd_errata.html.

[Paul-Michael Agapow]

Killo <surf...@clubi.ie> wrote:
> I recently borrowed the book"Teach yourself C++" by Herbert Schildt
> from a library as that is one of the only books in C++ (I live in
> Ireland). Should I bring it back and not read it, are his books
> really that bad.

<shrug> There seems to be a widespread dislike of Schildt and some have
pointed out errors in his books. Conversely, and while I haven't read
"Teach Yourself C++", I have his "C++, The Complete Reference" and think
it's pretty good. Hell, I still have his "C, The Complete Reference" and
that got me through my degree.

Bottom line - it's from a library. Try it and if it's really bad, take
it back. What have you got to lose?

--
Paul-Michael Agapow (p.ag...@ic.ac.uk), Biology, Silwood Park
"The world is made of fire."

[Jim Hyslop]

In article <1dxkem1.4q...@gershwin.bio.ic.ac.uk>,

p.ag...@ic.ac.uk (Paul-Michael Agapow) wrote:
> Killo <surf...@clubi.ie> wrote:
> > I recently borrowed the book"Teach yourself C++" by Herbert Schildt
> > from a library as that is one of the only books in C++ (I live in
> > Ireland). Should I bring it back and not read it, are his books
> > really that bad.
>
> <shrug> There seems to be a widespread dislike of Schildt and some
> have
> pointed out errors in his books. Conversely, and while I haven't read
> "Teach Yourself C++", I have his "C++, The Complete Reference" and
> think
> it's pretty good. Hell, I still have his "C, The Complete Reference"
> and
> that got me through my degree.
>
> Bottom line - it's from a library. Try it and if it's really bad, take
> it back. What have you got to lose?

If the book is as bad as it is rumoured to be, then how will a newbie
know it's bad? ;-)

Killo, you may want to strongly suggest to your librarian that they
really need a copy of The Master's book, Stroustrup's "The C++
Programming Language", 3rd edition (ISBN 0-201-88954-4). Then when they
do get the book in, compare what Schildt says to what Stroustrup says,
and anywhere there's a difference, assume that Stroustrup is most likely
correct.

Better still, if you can afford it, buy your own copy of Stroustrup.
It's an investment you won't regret, if you intend to continue
programming in C++.

--
Jim
I ignore all email from recruitment agencies.
Please do not send me email with questions - post
here.

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

[Petronius Arbiter]

In article <1dxkem1.4q...@gershwin.bio.ic.ac.uk>, p.ag...@ic.ac.uk (Paul-Michael Agapow) wrote:
>Killo <surf...@clubi.ie> wrote:
>> I recently borrowed the book"Teach yourself C++" by Herbert Schildt
>> from a library as that is one of the only books in C++ (I live in
>> Ireland). Should I bring it back and not read it, are his books
>> really that bad.
>
><shrug> There seems to be a widespread dislike of Schildt and some have
>pointed out errors in his books. Conversely, and while I haven't read
>"Teach Yourself C++", I have his "C++, The Complete Reference" and think
>it's pretty good. Hell, I still have his "C, The Complete Reference" and
>that got me through my degree.

IMHO the Schildt bashing goes way over the top. While they may not be my
favorites AND they may have errors in them, they are no worse than others out
there (eg Deitel & Deitel).

John - N8086N
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