C++ Without Fear LiveLessons (Video Training): A Beginner's Tutorial That Makes You Feel Smart
- By Brian Overland
- Published Apr 4, 2016 by Pearson. Part of the LiveLessons series.
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Description
- Copyright 2016
- Edition: 1st
- Online Video
- ISBN-10: 0-13-431892-7
- ISBN-13: 978-0-13-431892-9
6+ Hours of Video Instruction
OverviewC++ Without Fear LiveLessons provides a gentle introduction to C++ for new programmers as well as people with experience in languages such as BASIC. The course helps the new programmer get up to speed as quickly as possible while understanding the C++ way of doing things.
DescriptionBrian first takes the new C++ programmer through the successful installation of Microsoft Visual Studio, Community Edition. Then, starting with the simplest C++ programs possible, he introduces the building blocks of programming as they are used in C++: variables, loops, control structures, strings, pointers, and then finally classes and objects. At each stage, he explains these concepts in simple, concrete terms and how they add immensely to the power of a program. Above all, by emphasizing the “C++ way” of doing things, he helps even the newest programmer start to quickly look like a C++ professional!
About the InstructorBrian Overland, author of ten successful books on computer programming, has been programming in C professionally since the 1980s and programming in C++ since the 1990’s. During his ten years at Microsoft as a Project Lead, he managed documentation for Macro Assembler and was one of the project leads of Visual Basic 1.0, in which he took on the task of explaining a new programming model to a whole generation of GUI programmers. He also has decades of teaching people one-on-one in math, writing and computer programming–all of which gives him unique insights into the challenges of explaining complex ideas in simple ways.
Skill LevelPrimarily beginning and beginning-to-intermediate.
What You Will Learn· How to install and run C++ on Microsoft Visual Studio, Community Edition· New features of C++11 and C++14, such as ranged-based “for”· How to effectively use pointers, strings, vectors, and arrays· How to use C++ shortcuts, just like the pros· The “why’s” behind language features such as pointers, classes, and objects
Who Should Take This Course· People who are new to programming generally as well as people who know a language such as Java or Basic, but have (until now) found the prospect of C++ intimidating. Fear no longer!
Course Requirements· Familiarity with personal computers· Some familiarity with the most basic concepts in programming–such as variables and programming environments–is helpful though not absolutely required
Table of Contents
Lesson 1: Installing and Using C++1.1. All about C++ (advantages and challenges)1.2. Install Microsoft Visual Studio1.3. Create a simple project1.4. Write a simple program1.5. Use input and output1.6. Add comments.
Lesson 2: Making Decisions and Looping2.1. Make a decision in C++2.2. Use AND conditions2.3. Count to 10 using “while”2.4. Print Fibonacci numbers2.5. Calculate Fibonacci ratios
Lesson 3: Understanding Arrays and Vectors3.1. Print an array of values3.2. Use classic “for”3.3. Use range-based “for”3.4. Use and understand vectors
Lesson 4: Using C++ Functions4.1. Understand C++ functions4.2. Write a simple function4.3. Pass an argument4.4. Prototype functions4.5. Use two arguments
Lesson 5: Manipulating Strings5.1. Declare and use strings5.2. Input a string5.3. Get a line of input5.4. Get a number using line input
Lesson 6: Pointers and References6.1. What is a pointer?6.2. Use a three-step process for pointers6.3. Use a reference to alter argument values6.4. Dynamically allocate an array
Lesson 7: Objects Part I: Simple Classes7.1. Write a class to store data7.2. Write and use the Point class7.3. Write member functions7.4. Write a constructor7.5. Write a default constructor
Lesson 8: Objects Part II: Trees and Nodes8.1. Create an object with “new”8.2. Use the arrow operator (->)8.3. Write a node class8.4. Write a binary tree8.5. Use the binary tree
Lesson Descriptions
Lesson 1: Installing and Using C++. Introduces the new user to C++ gently and easily, showing the basic skeleton for simple three-line programs. The lesson first guides the user through installing Microsoft Visual Studio, Enterprise Edition, correctly setting the options so that the environment will work with simple plain-vanilla C++ programs.
Lesson 2: Making Decision and Looping. Shows the novice programmer how to start writing truly intelligent programs, by introducing the abilities to make decisions and do simple looping. Ends with a simple program that produces the classic Fibonacci series, one of the most interesting sequences in the history of mathematics.
Lesson 3: Understanding Arrays and Vectors. This lesson build on the power inherent in loops by adding the all-important array feature of C++, emphasizing how arrays enable you to create “N” of something… where N can be 1, 10, 1000, or a billion! After that, the lesson introduces the classic C++ “for” statement, as well as ranged-base “for” statement, and finally vectors. These are some of the most productive, useful features of the C++14 specification.
Lesson 4: Using C++ Functions. Guides the user through the essential steps of writing reliable, well-behaved C++ functions. This involves using the prototype feature, so that C++ functions can be defined in any order without creating a forward-reference problem. Above all, this lesson emphasizes why functions are the most important facility in any language for writing reusable code.
Lesson 5: Manipulating Strings. This lesson guides the user through the use of the C++ high-level string class, explaining why it is so much easier and more reliable to use than old-fashioned C-strings (which is doing things the hard way). But while the use of the high-level string class makes it easy to manipulate text, there are still some quirks involving input, which is why this lesson recommends–and illustrates–the use of line input, as the best technique.
Lesson 6: Pointers and References. This lesson answers the age-old questions all new C and C++ programmers ask: What are pointers and why the heck do you need them? The lesson first illustrates how pointers work in a simple way, using graphics… and then proceeds to show purely practical reasons for using pointers. Finally, the reference feature of C++ is discussed as a way to do some of the things you can do with pointers, but not all.
Lesson 7: Objects Part I: Simple Classes. Bearing in mind that C++ classes can become a complex and abstract subject quickly, this lesson sticks to exploring the most basic features of C++ classes and how they’re related to objects, in a one-to-many relationship. The benefits of the class/object system become more evident as this lesson shows the benefits of private function, encapsulation, and constructor functions — emphasizing not just the fancy words but the practical benefits.
Lesson 8: Objects Part II: Trees and Nodes. This final lesson brings together many features, including pointers, the “new” operator, and the class/object design, to show how to create an extremely useful binary tree. In particular, the lesson explains how such classes can be made “bullet-proof” and super-reliable in a way that is not even possible without C++’s class and object syntax. In turn, this proves the real efficacy of Object Oriented Programming and how it can change your life as a programmer.
About LiveLessons Video Training
The LiveLessons Video Training series publishes hundreds of hands-on, expert-led video tutorials covering a wide selection of technology topics designed to teach you the skills you need to succeed. This professional and personal technology video series features world-leading author instructors published by your trusted technology brands: Addison-Wesley, Cisco Press, IBM Press, Pearson IT Certification, Prentice Hall, Sams, and Que. Topics include IT Certification, Programming, Web Development, Mobile Development, Home and Office Technologies, Business and Management, and more. View all LiveLessons on InformIT at:http://www.informit.com/livelessons