Differences btw Absolute C++ 3rd&4th edition

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

<p>Hello! I have chosen Com Sci 31 this term and is required to use Absolute C++. Is there any significant difference between the two editions? I found a 3rd edition e-book from the net. Would it be okay to use e-book? (Since I am an international student, I don't know).</p>

<p>PS: I found some textbooks displayed on UCLA store is optional, e.g. , Stewart's Sm To Multivariable Calculus (7th) for Math 32A. Do I really need it?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I would say that it’s entirely up to the professor. Some professors teach out of the book, others disregard it and use their own lectures/problems to lead the class.</p>

<p>Each class may have several books, the required ones are usually the actual text of the material, while the optional books are the solutions manual. In your case, the “sm” in that title leads me to guess that the book in question is the solutions manual. It may be helpful to have this book, but it is not required.</p>

3

<p>Thx!</p>

<p>So you mean that professor may ask us to buy more books than that displayed on the UCLA Store?</p>

4

<p>Best answer is that the professor can do anything he or she wishes. Usually it’s within reason and usually they have to follow their department’s guidelines, but you may be compelled by the professor to buy or not buy books to do well in the course.</p>

<p>A few examples from my experience in UCLA classes:

  1. Professor ignores required books posted online. He instructs the class to spend $70 on a course reader that can only be bought from a suspicious store in Westwood. You must have this course reader because the professor teaches out of this. Buying the “required” textbook is then a waste of money.
  2. Professor teaches directly out of the textbook, almost word for word. In this case, the textbook is vital.
  3. Professor tells students to study from his/her lectures and assigned problems from the required textbook, but releases their previous exams to the students to study from. The book becomes a supplement to the class: not required, but will help you do well in the class.</p>

<p>To really know which kind of professor you will have for each class, you can try emailing them ahead of time or asking people who have taken the class before.</p>

5

<p>Wow! Then I will consider not to buy books so hurriedly. Did professor really instruct you to buy books from a “suspicious” bookstore? </p>

<p>Many thanks!</p>

6

<p>I have only had one professor like that and I don’t remember his exact wording, but he teaches out of the course reader so you would be at an extreme disadvantage if you didn’t buy it.</p>