Reddit mentions of Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++

I recently started learning c++. I've tried several times in the past but never really found a book or learning resource that hooked me.

I've been using 'Programming: Principles and Practice using C++ (2nd Edition)' by Bjarne Stroustrup (creator of C++), and it hits the sweetspot for me.

C++ isn't really any "harder" than Java or C#, but there is a lack of good, modern learning materials for beginners.

I would suggest finding a textbook (like this).

cppreference,
Stack Overflow, and
cpp_questions
are good sites to bookmark.

Pick up a book if you haven't already. This is very good. From the inventor of C++ itself.

I myself use Bjarne Stroustrup's Programming Principles and Practice using C++

Link to book

The book is, according to me, quite verbose as it dives relatively deep to teach you what you're doing. I also find that it requires a lot of attention while reading, just skimming through might not be the best option.

To learn cpp as a first language I recommend you get this book by the language creator itself! You can also find it online.

Something I would also recommend since you plan on making games would be to check out a game engine that uses cpp like crytek engine or unreal engine. Ask your friend what game engine he’s using and learn it! (Unless he has his own engine ofc) Most game engines are noob friendly and have great tutorials and documentation.

That book is idiosyncratic, so for anyone entering C++ I'd say just take a look and decide if it is for you. I am in the 'do not like' category. I found it a bit too condensed and lacking in explanation for my tastes.

But I also realize this is a matter of personal taste: I prefer a book that errs on the side of overexplain, so I am using Stroustrup's book. Even as someone with many years programming experience, I am learning a lot (and I skip the parts that are like "Computers are very important in today's modern world").

My advice is just pick a horse and ride it. There is so much fretting and hand-wringing about the perfect book. It really doesn't matter that much. Do a little bit of research, pick something that suits your style, and stick with it.

This counts for IDE too. For a few days was all obsessed with those damned posts about finding the perfect IDE (I tried code::blocks, Emacs , vim, Qt Creator, and others). Now I just use Atom to edit my files, and run them from the command line. For one-file programs (i.e., 99% of the programs in any beginner book), you don't need an IDE, and all the bloat and overhead that entails. You don't have a "project": you have a damned file, and g++ -std=c++11 -o executable_name filename.cpp is all you need FFS.

If you can't take classes you can learn on your own but it will probably be difficult at first. I think the biggest hurdle is probably unrealistic expectations starting out which leads to giving up quickly. The first thing to realize is that writing a program that involves a GUI is extremely complicated and you aren't going to be able to do that for at least a few months, probably a year. Of course you can use a visual designer to drag-and-drop stuff to build a program, but I'm talking about really understanding what is going on. So the first thing to realize is that starting out you're not going to be making anything that people find useful, but that's okay!

I would recommend starting out with a textbook. Not having an instructor is a downside, but at least a textbook is trying to present things in a logical manner and should have plenty of practice exercises. Unfortunately, I can't recommend one I've used personally. I can't remember what my first programming textbook was. I'd recommend starting out with C++, and I've heard good things about this book: https://www.amazon.com/Programming-Principles-Practice-Using-C-ebook/dp/B00KPTEH8C/ref=sr_1_18?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511813557&sr=1-18&keywords=c%2B%2B+textbook

It's by the designer of C++. Lots of people will say that C++ is too complicated, and it's true that in a lot of cases these days you're better off using a different language to get actual work done. But IMO learning by writing simple C++ programs gives you a better sense of what's going on "under the hood" which helps you learn other languages faster. Once you've gone through most of that book, I strongly recommend learning C#. A lot of the syntax is the same as C++ so it will be familiar, plus there are a ton of jobs out there using C# so it shouldn't be hard to find an entry level position. I'd say once you get to the point where you are comfortable writing console programs in C++ and want to move on to GUI applications, and have a basic understanding of classes and inheritance, you should move to C#.

Also, if you haven't already download a Linux distribution and install it in Virtualbox or on a spare computer. Get familiar with the command line, try compiling some of your C++ programs in Linux. That's another thing which will help you understand what the computer is doing when you write a program which will give you confidence and help you learn more advanced stuff.

At some point, learn a little about Git and push some of your programming projects to Github. Also, read a little about Agile development so you can nod knowingly if someone says "sprint" or "standup". :) Don't necessarily worry about this paragraph now, but do it before applying to a job.

If you go through that stuff, you would be in great shape to get an entry-level programming job. Again, the most important thing to realize is that this will take time, probably at least a year or two. That's why it's best if you are really passionate about programming and want to learn for the sake of learning. If you're just looking into this to get a pay raise, unfortunately it's probably not worth it.

Good luck!