Ivor Horton's Beginning Visual C++ 2012

I've purchased and read two of the previous of Horton's Beginning Visual C++ books. This one differs largely from its predecessor (2010) in that it drops the Parallel Library section, drops all of the equivalent CLI code walk-through, and uses exclusively the Standard Template Library smart pointers (i.e. rewrites the code of the previous versions to eliminate the need for heap management and the need to match delete with new). However, somehow the book got published without a useful index. It appears that the index was regenerated (i.e. is not identical to the previous version), but unfortunately I have found most of page numbers to be wrong. In addition, like previous versions, the index is thinly populated. Many topics covered are not in the index at all. Off topic a bit, C++ is becoming an increasingly cumbersome, cluttered language to read, as is particularly evident in this book. An implicit acknowledgement of this fact is on p732. The authors recommend a typedef:typedef std::list<std::shared_ptr<CElement>>::const_iterator SketchIterator;Using the useful new features of C++11 too often require such a mouthful of text that it's hard to see the intent, much less find the hidden bugs. In my own coding, I'm beginning to resort to the distasteful macro approach, which differs little from the typedef solution the authors suggest.

I took a class in C++ programming around 4 years ago and have recently decided that I want to try my hand at mobile app development. I have some experience with C++, but absolutely none with Visual C++. I was hoping that this book would serve as a refresher in C++ coding and a nice introduction to Visual C++, but was a little disappointed. For a book intended to teach beginners Visual C++ I would have hoped that at least the first half of the book and its exercises could be completed using the free Express version Visual C++, but 20 pages in and the book is already into MFC applications which are not supported natively through Express. While I understand the desire to include MFC applications in the book as it easily allows for Windows GUI, I don't see myself buying five hundred dollar software for basic learning, I might work my way through the book on the free 90 day trial of Visual C++ Professional though.The book is also a little long winded, I am working my way through three other books 2 on Windows game programming in C++ and one is C++ for dummies and all three are far easier for a lay person to get into programming and are also more interesting. This book reads more like a user manual, it contains a lot of useful information, but is about as fun as going to the dentist. This book is not over my head, but I have at least a little experience programming, and it seems to progress through programs in a logical way, I only wish it was more geared toward the use of the Express version of Visual.

Contain enough information about C/C++ programming and windows programming with API and MFC.It would be great it there will be intensive context about programming with controls, e.g. CTreeCtrl, CDockablePane, and CMFCPropertyGridCtr etc.One thing I do not like in the book I've got is about printing work.Text are not in good alignment for a number of pages at the beginning.

The author has obviously been writing code for so long that he fails to write for "true beginners." Still too "techie" for a beginner making it hard to follow beyond the first few chapters with large chunks of code that are glossed over. For example the author writes "Obviously, a pointer function must contain the memory address of the function that you want to call. To work properly, the pointer must also maintain information about the parameter list for the function it points to, ....", to which I say "HUH?"

I thought this book would teach me how to use C++ to program windows software, but this is not a Visual C++ book, it is 66% of pure C++ and then only 28% of visual C++, and 6% of XML.It starts saying "Before you start programming using MFC classes, we'll need to show the basics of C++", and then it simply starts from variable types, condition statements, loops, functions WHAT?!?!?! It goes all the way till STL!!!It starts a Windows specific topic at chapter 11 (at 66% of the book), and it goes only till chapter 18, where it starts explaining Windows 8 apps, which is made with very few C++ code and mostly XML.So if you're trying to learn Visual C++ to develop windows software, this book is merely a very short introduction.I'm very disappointed, I can't believe this book is so expensive.

Thorough and understandable. This is a must-have for anyonewanting to get aquainted with the new C++ standard AND Visual Studio 2012.

This is an excellent update to the last version. The coverage of VS2012 and MS C++/11 is excellent. The introduction of material is paced well. The kindle format is formatted well with no issues. I'm happy I made this purchase. This is the best C++ book I have today.

This book serves as an excellent reference for C++. I am an experienced developer with 30+ years of experience and I can honestly say this book will serve as a reference on my shelf for years to come.

Excellent book, just what I was looking for. I haven't yet worked my way completely through it yet but that doesn't prevent me from saying this is an excellent starting point for anyone who wants to learn Microsoft's Visual C++ from scratch. I'm looking forward to completing the effort later this month.

A good intro text

This is a really great introductory book about C++. It covers all important aspects of the language and shows how it can be used to develop Windows-based applications. It contains a lot of code examples and exercises, which makes C++ even easier to learn. The newest edition focuses on C++ 11, showing the new features of the language and how they can be used in practice. I really recommend this book.

My brother like it

It's amazing! Beyond my expectations. I recommended it to anyone who wants to leanc C++ from the beginning to the end.