C++ for beginner (+ Birkbeck)

tsunamijon · July 17th, 2006, 11:25 am

Starting MSc Financial Engineering at Birkbeck in October - have strong mathematics background but no programming knowledge or experience and looking to do some pre-sessional reading / practice. Which C++ texts / exercises would you recommend for an absolute beginner? Also, can anyone recommend some useful texts for reading while studying for the MSc (reading lists not available yet it seems)? Also, if anyone has been to Birkbeck, how did they find the course (PT)?Many thanks,JC

pascalroca · July 19th, 2006, 6:52 am

hii think you can have a look to this book:Thinking in C++, 2nd Ed.pdfyou can find it easely on web , if not send me an e-mail; you have meyers books. you have GOF (design Patterns) you have books specialised on STL ........ etc

Cuchulainn · July 19th, 2006, 7:08 am

QuoteOriginally posted by: pascalrocahii think you can have a look to this book:Thinking in C++, 2nd Ed.pdfyou can find it easely on web , if not send me an e-mail; you have meyers books. you have GOF (design Patterns) you have books specialised on STL ........ etcGOF is not a beginner's book. A good book on STL is by Josuttis.

Cuchulainn · July 19th, 2006, 7:11 am

QuoteWhich C++ texts / exercises would you recommend for an absolute beginner?The best way to learn C++ is to go off and write a well-defined application in QF (with all bells and whistles). Exams only state that you can do exams, nothing else. Most C++ exams are awful, they test syntax only.

pascalroca · July 19th, 2006, 7:16 am

yes you right but there is some easy pattern for beginner

Cuchulainn · July 19th, 2006, 7:22 am

QuoteOriginally posted by: pascalrocayes you right but there is some easy pattern for beginnerI think in the beginning that novice C++ pogrammers should get the fundamentals of C++ under their belt. The patterns are for later and constitute an optimisation step.It takes about 2 years to learn C++ reasonably well (precondition: you code in C++ every day, otherwise u remain in a rut and you will not get to the next level).

Risky · July 20th, 2006, 6:19 pm

For an absolute beginner I found C++ in 21 days by Liberty very helpful. But I'm sure you will have to follow that up with another book or two...A lot of people recommend Stroustrup, but my view is that is more of a reference than a learning tool (maybe it could be your 2nd or 3rd book)