I hadn’t written a line of C++ since 2011 before I read this book, and that was just for fun. I hadn’t written a line professionally since 2006. Introducing C++ made me want to write some C++ again, so I did.
Early in the book, Frances tells us that prior knowledge of another programming language is useful when reading the book. A lot of what I had forgotten about C++ came back very quickly - I think I would have struggled without prior programming knowledge. However, if you don’t know another language, or C++, already, don’t let that put you off picking it up - give it a try!
Introducing C++ is very easy to read throughout, and that is its biggest strength. The introduction to the language is gentle until about the final quarter. There is a great introduction to class basics, and then the pace picks up considerably. The example code is introduced a little at a time and used to build a trading game throughout the book. This worked really well for me.
The book certainly left me wanting more. That may be an intermediate book. It might be a full project using C++. Let’s see.
By Frances Buontempo
ISBN: 978-1098178147
Early in the book, Frances tells us that prior knowledge of another programming language is useful when reading the book. A lot of what I had forgotten about C++ came back very quickly - I think I would have struggled without prior programming knowledge. However, if you don’t know another language, or C++, already, don’t let that put you off picking it up - give it a try!
Introducing C++ is very easy to read throughout, and that is its biggest strength. The introduction to the language is gentle until about the final quarter. There is a great introduction to class basics, and then the pace picks up considerably. The example code is introduced a little at a time and used to build a trading game throughout the book. This worked really well for me.
The book certainly left me wanting more. That may be an intermediate book. It might be a full project using C++. Let’s see.
By Frances Buontempo
ISBN: 978-1098178147
25 June 2026