Getting back to writing codes after 10+ years of break -- Which book(s) to study?

[NimzoIndian]

Greetings to all who happen to read this thread,

This is my very first post here.

I wrote, among many others, these console applications (linked here as pictures) all by myself fifteen years ago:
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=812A92396B6BEBD1!532&authkey=!AAhgxRmG4ZmXX7k&ithint=folder%2c.png

But then I put programming aside totally, having not written a single line of source code in any language in the last one and a half decade. So, today I don't even know how my old applications did what they did. (I have an idea of course, but I am unable to make corrections to these old source codes of mine because I have forgotten almost everything about the compiling/linking processes, namespaces, types of inheritance, constants, static members, return values of reference type, _this_ pointers, conversions, casts, operator overloadings, and so on.)

Besides, I don't know anything about "C++ 11." Should I forget about C++ books written before 2011?

And here comes the main question. I prefer NOT to study a complete beginner's book again, but rather something that by means of practicing examples (where the language elements under discussion can be seen in a more complex context than just two or three lines) can make me remember what I used to know. (My old console applications such as those linked as pictures are still too complicated a starting point for me for the time being...)
I'd like to read something that is not so dry as the otherwise excellent literature by Stroustrup. (I have started reading them but I was close to falling asleep.)

The ultimate aim is to develop GUI programs with Qt (on Windows 7).
(But before that I need to go through elements of C++ again, and then I will still have to get acquainted with building GUI applications from scratch.)

I know that cplusplus.com is a most excellent source of online literature. But I very much like books printed on paper. Here is a list of 33(+1) books of which I'd like to ask you to suggest one or two (with a brief explanation about the "Why"s) :

(2000, 453p) Accelerated C++ (Practical Programming by Example) by Koenig+Moo
https://www.google.com/search?q=Accelerated+C+++(Practical+Programming+by+Example)+by+Koenig+Moo

(2001, 352p) A.Alexandrescu - Modern C++ Desing - Generic Programming and Design Patterns Applied
https://www.google.com/search?q=2001+A.Alexandrescu+-+Modern+C+++Design+-+Generic+Programming+and+Design+Patterns+Applied

(2003, 266p) How Not to Program in C++ by S.Oualline
https://www.google.com/search?q=2003+How+Not+to+Program+in+C+++by+S.Oualline

(2004, 2nd Ed) Thinking in C++ by B.Eckel
https://www.google.com/search?q=2004+2nd+edition+Thinking+in+C+++by+B.Eckel

(2011, 2nd Ed, 1106p) Professional C++ by Gregorie+Solter+Kepler
https://www.google.com/search?q=2011+2nd+Edition+Professional+C+++by+Gregorie+Solter+Kepler

(2011, 6th Ed, 756p) An Introduction to Programming With C++ by D.Zak
https://www.google.com/search?q=2011+6th+Edition+An+Introduction+to+Programming+With+C+++by+D.Zak

(2012) Jumping into C++ by A.Allain
https://www.google.com/search?q=2012+Jumping+into+C+++by+A.Allain

(2012, 2nd Ed) The C++ Standard Library by M.Josuttis
https://www.google.com/search?q=2012+2nd+Edition+The+C+++Standard+Library+by+M.Josuttis

(2012, 5th Ed, 1399p) C++ Primer by Lippman+Lajoie+Moo
https://www.google.com/search?q=2012+5th+Edition+C+++Primer+by+Lippman+Lajoie+Moo

(2012, 6th Ed, 1438p) C++ Primer Plus by S.Prata
https://www.google.com/search?q=2012+6th+Edition+C+++Primer+Plus+by+S.Prata

(2012, 8th Ed, 1303p) How to Program C++ by P&H.Deitel
https://www.google.com/search?q=2012+8th+Edition+How+to+Program+C+++by+Deitel

(2013) C++ Quick Syntax Reference by M.Olsson
https://www.google.com/search?q=2013+C+++Quick+Syntax+Reference+by+M.Olsson

(2013, 360p) Pragmatic Modern C Plus Plus Programming with Test-Driven Development by J.Langr
https://www.google.com/search?q=2013+Pragmatic+Modern+C+Plus+Plus+Programming+with+Test-Driven+Development+by+J.Langr

(2013, 364p) Real-Time C++ by C.Kormanyos
https://www.google.com/search?q=2013+Real-Time+C+++by+C.Kormanyos

(2004, 352p) Beginning C++ Game Programming by M.Dawson
https://www.google.com/search?q=2004+Beginning+C+++Game+Programming+by+M.Dawson

(2011, 3rd Ed, 433p) Beginning C++ Through Game Programming by M.Dawson
https://www.google.com/search?q=2011+3rd+Edition+Beginning+C+++Through+Game+Programming+by+M.Dawson

(2013, 1442p) C++ Programming - From Problem Analysis to Program Design by D.S.Malik
https://www.google.com/search?q=2013+C+++Programming+-+From+Problem+Analysis+to+Program+Design+by+Malik

(2013, 6th Ed, 1666p) C++ Programming - Program Design Including Data Structures by D.S.Malik
https://www.google.com/search?q=2013+6th+Edition+C+++Programming+-+Program+Design+Including+Data+Structures+by+Malik

(2001) Effective STL (50 Specific Ways to Improve Your Use of the Standard Template Library) by Meyers
https://www.google.com/search?q=2001+Effective+STL+(50+Ways+to+Improve+Your+Use+of+the+Standard+Template+Library)+by+Meyers

(2005, 3rd Ed) Effective C++ (55 Specific Ways to Improve Your Programs and Designs) by Meyers
https://www.google.com/search?q=2005+3rd+Edition+Effective+C+++(55+Specific+Ways+to+Improve+Your+Programs+and+Designs)+by+Meyers

(2009, 7th Ed, 1074p) Problem Solving with C++ by W.Savitch
https://www.google.com/search?q=2009+7th+Edition+1074p+Problem+Solving+with+C+++by+W.Savitch

(2012, 5th Ed, 981p) Absolute C++ by W.Savitch
https://www.google.com/search?q=2012+5th+Edition+Absolute+C+++by+W.Savitch

(2003, 4th Ed, 1058p) C++ - The Complete Reference by H.Schildt
https://www.google.com/search?q=2003+4th+Edition+C+++-+The+Complete+Reference+by+Schildt

(2004) The Art of C++ by H.Schildt
https://www.google.com/search?q=2004+The+Art+of+C+++by+Schildt

(2008, 529p) C++ Programming Cookbook by H.Schildt
https://www.google.com/search?q=2008+C+++Programming+Cookbook+by+Schildt

(2009) Programming Principles and Practice Using C++ by B.Stroustrup
https://www.google.com/search?q=2009+Programming+Principles+and+Practice+Using+C+++by+B.Stroustrup

(2013) Tour of C++ by B.Stroustrup
https://www.google.com/search?q=2013+Tour+of+C+++by+B.Stroustrup

(2013, 4th Ed, 1366p) C++ Programming Language by B.Stroustrup
https://www.google.com/search?q=2013+4th+Edition+C+++Programming+Language+by+Stroustrup

(2014-01) C++11 FAQ [from the Stroustrup webpage]
http://www.stroustrup.com/C++11FAQ.html

(2008) GUI Programming with Qt 4 by J.Blanchette+M.Summerfield
https://www.google.com/search?q=2008+GUI+Programming+with+Qt+4+by+Blanchette+Summerfield

(2009, 554p) Advanced Qt Programming (Creating Great Software with C++ and Qt4) by M.Summerfield
https://www.google.com/search?q=2009+Advanced+Qt+Programming+(Creating+Great+Software+with+C+++and+Qt4)+by+Summerfield

(2005, 5th Ed, 937p) SAMS-TY C++ in 21 Days by J.Liberty+B.Jones
https://www.google.com/search?q=2005+5th+Edition+SAMS+Teach+Yourself+C+++in+21+Days+by+Liberty+Jones

(2009, 886p) SAMS-TY C++ in One Hour a Day by J.Liberty+S.Rao+B.Jones
https://www.google.com/search?q=2009+SAMS+Teach+Yourself+C+++in+One+Hour+a+Day+by+Liberty+Rao+Jones

(2011, 440p) SAMS-TY C++ in 24 hours by J.Liberty+R.Cadenhead
https://www.google.com/search?q=2011+SAMS+Teach+Yourself+C+++in+24+hours+by+Liberty+Cadenhead

[Smac89]

Since you are wanting to eventually develop qt applications, why not start with something that relates to qt application design?

http://web.njit.edu/all_topics/Prog_Lang_Docs/html/qt/tutorial.html

Also, look into learning a new language. I recommend C# (xna game studio), java (what can't you do with java?) or objective-c(iOS applications). Learning other languages enriches your knowledge of c++

[MiiNiPaa]

Should I forget about C++ books written before 2011?

Yes

Many books were updated for C++11 (C++ Primer comes to mind), you might want to check for re-releases of famous books.

I suggest to look at these ( http://www.artima.com/shop/overview_of_the_new_cpp , http://isocpp.org/blog/2013/01/effective-c11-update-scott-meyers ) books, and this ( http://herbsutter.com/2012/11/20/reader-qa-a-good-book-to-learn-c11/ ) link.

Also check books written by Alexandrescu, Meyers, Sutter or any other member of C++ standard Comitee and updated after 2011.

[JLBorges]

> Should I forget about C++ books written before 2011?

No. Good books have a timeless quality about them. The quintessential example being K&R (1988); still the best book for learning C.


> I prefer NOT to study a complete beginner's book again, but rather something that
> by means of practicing examples (where the language elements under discussion can be seen
> in a more complex context than just two or three lines) can make me remember what I used to know.

Strongly recommended: 'Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example' by Koenig and Moo (circa 2000)
http://www.amazon.com/Accelerated-C-Practical-Programming-Example/dp/020170353X

Perhaps you could start with Stroustrup's 'A Tour of C++', which gives a quick summary of C++ in four chapters. http://isocpp.org/tour

[Manga]

If you are certain you don't want to be treated like a noob, then Thinking in C++ might work for you.

I have been programming in c++ for comming on 2 years now, even made some 2d game demos, but I still can't get half way through that damn book. It started easy but got challenging pretty fast.

[NimzoIndian]

Thanks to all of you for the tips!!! I have started reading "Tour of C++", which helps me remember. (And not only remember--the new versions of the language confuse me a bit. But I don't care.)

[Legato]

hey i was looking up these books, cuz i'm a newb and i found that the "thinking in C" book has been made public.

http://www.planetpdf.com/developer/article.asp?ContentID=6634

it looks legit (no high seas here)

[iAk3T05o]

I'm currently using 5 books. By Alex Allain, M. Dawson, 3rd Ed., Bjarne (practice & princples. Not really using it), this site's and tutorials point pdfs.
Are they perfect? Definitely not. Would i have learnt faster with just one? No, because they all have ups and downs and when 1 goes down, another comes up.
I've not yet tried C++ primer as it is usually recommended.

[MrHutch]

I think Effective C++ by Meyers is a great read.

Avoid Schildt.

[JLBorges]

> http://www.planetpdf.com/developer/article.asp?ContentID=6634

Download Bruce Eckel's free ebooks from here: http://www.mindviewinc.com/Books/downloads.html