calling all comp sci/eecs/comp engineering majors

<p>so uhmm...how hard is learning plus plus on your own? :p I need to learn it for my internship this summer apparently. Im really well versed with C & Java though so I've got OOP experience and i can do the syntax because of my C background. So, on a scale of 1-10, without a formal class, how hard would learning C++ be?</p>

<p>Depends how well you need to know C++, haha. Basic stuff is pretty much identical to Java so it wouldn’t be too bad.</p>

<p>Learning the additional syntax is easy if that’s what you’re asking. If you are already familiar with Java, learning the additional syntax should be < 1 on your scale. If you need to be familiar with LD data structures, as complex as trees, but aren’t, I’d say you’re looking at a 3-4/10 challenge if you’re not that great with programming concepts. </p>

<p>I recommend Data Structures and Other Objects using C++ by Main and Savitch (one of my favorite programming books thus far, concise and comprehensive). I’ve taken most of my programming classes online, so I know a bit about teaching myself. The subject is practically designed for self-education; most of the learning is a result of trial and error.</p>

<p>^^as far as IDE’s, im using codeblocks and Dev C++ right now. Do i stay? or make a switch? thanks for the input guys. @anarchy, i will definitely look into that book.</p>

<p>@SFWarrior, if you are really well versed with C & Java, learning C++ will be cake. C++ is like a mix of C & Java.</p>

<p>Use any IDE that you’re comfortable with. You should probably get to know Visual Studio 2008 though, as it’s very feature rich and used by everyone.</p>

<p>Hated by almost everyone as well. Personalty, I prefer Dev-C++, but my favorite IDE is Eclipse and I believe that they have an addon for C++, but I’ve never gotten it to work so I can just assume it’s awesome.</p>

<p>My suggestion is to not rely on an IDE to check errors/format code for you. Learn how to program in the Unix environment, and that’ll reinforce all the good programming habits companies want you to have.</p>

<p>i haven’t played with vc++ too much but I did like vs08 back when i used it to prog in vb. i like that it highlights all my ■■■■■■■■ syntax errors(ie oh you are missing a ; you ■■■■■■).</p>

<p>^^the thing is im not a cs major. im doing this because i enjoy it(and my internship wants me to know c++). so programming in unix is not really something id look into too much, considering we wont be doing so in a unix environment in the first place( i think).</p>

<p>I haven’t used C before, but I have programmed in C++ and Java. The main difference that makes C++ much more difficult than Java (if I remember Java correctly) is garbage collection. As in, making sure that any pointers you use are deleted. Maybe this is a part of the C language so you’re already familiar. Feel free to to message me if you have any specific questions about C++. I’ve taken a year of C++ and a semester of Java.</p>

<p>C++ is kind of a mix of C and Java. Kind of like C with OOP. It’s not that tough. Go for it.</p>

<p>isn’t it basically just C with classes, inheritance, and io stream?</p>

<p>C++ is just C with inheritance, classes, and polymorphism along with some other minor stuff. It’s actually alot of stuff but if you know C the syntax is about the same but just have to learn about classes. </p>

<p>Classes is very similar to java so you should be in good shape though</p>

<p>thanks for all the replies guys! my C background is definitely much stronger than my oop java bg but I do understand oop fairly well. any literature you guys could recommend?</p>

<p>ps. just got visual c++ express edition. idk how i feel about this ide yet hehe</p>