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my least favorite programming book

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  • B BernardIE5317

    If no one minds too much I would like to get something off my chest and state my least favorite programming text i.e. Stroustrup's C++ Reference. Supposedly it was written in English but I couldn't tell. I wish I still had the copy to quote a particular paragraph I have in mind which I found particularly indecipherable but in general my complaints are he speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner which leaves my head spinning as I am dumbfounded by both the vague manner and as yet undisclosed vague topic. It's only computer programming not the mysteries of the cosmos as revealed by advanced science and mathematics. It shouldn't be that hard to learn to print "Hello World" onto the screen. Thanks for tolerating my diatribe Best Wishes Cheerios

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    Lost User
    wrote on last edited by
    #12

    The one that says: "And all the samples are copyright and you can't use them in your own program." (A couple of 2D and 3D WPF Graphics books by the same author)

    It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allow himself to be confused by it. ― Confucian Analects: Rules of Confucius about his food

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    • B BernardIE5317

      If no one minds too much I would like to get something off my chest and state my least favorite programming text i.e. Stroustrup's C++ Reference. Supposedly it was written in English but I couldn't tell. I wish I still had the copy to quote a particular paragraph I have in mind which I found particularly indecipherable but in general my complaints are he speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner which leaves my head spinning as I am dumbfounded by both the vague manner and as yet undisclosed vague topic. It's only computer programming not the mysteries of the cosmos as revealed by advanced science and mathematics. It shouldn't be that hard to learn to print "Hello World" onto the screen. Thanks for tolerating my diatribe Best Wishes Cheerios

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      Amarnath S
      wrote on last edited by
      #13

      My least favorite programming book is Learn C++ in X days, where even after 21 days, classes were very briefly told, and pointers were not mentioned. This was sometime in 1994 / 1995. Not sure what number X was.

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      • B BernardIE5317

        If no one minds too much I would like to get something off my chest and state my least favorite programming text i.e. Stroustrup's C++ Reference. Supposedly it was written in English but I couldn't tell. I wish I still had the copy to quote a particular paragraph I have in mind which I found particularly indecipherable but in general my complaints are he speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner which leaves my head spinning as I am dumbfounded by both the vague manner and as yet undisclosed vague topic. It's only computer programming not the mysteries of the cosmos as revealed by advanced science and mathematics. It shouldn't be that hard to learn to print "Hello World" onto the screen. Thanks for tolerating my diatribe Best Wishes Cheerios

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        Southmountain
        wrote on last edited by
        #14

        the dragon book. it is a good book, but hard to finish all pages...

        diligent hands rule....

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        • B BernardIE5317

          If no one minds too much I would like to get something off my chest and state my least favorite programming text i.e. Stroustrup's C++ Reference. Supposedly it was written in English but I couldn't tell. I wish I still had the copy to quote a particular paragraph I have in mind which I found particularly indecipherable but in general my complaints are he speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner which leaves my head spinning as I am dumbfounded by both the vague manner and as yet undisclosed vague topic. It's only computer programming not the mysteries of the cosmos as revealed by advanced science and mathematics. It shouldn't be that hard to learn to print "Hello World" onto the screen. Thanks for tolerating my diatribe Best Wishes Cheerios

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          Slacker007
          wrote on last edited by
          #15

          I never read any of his book but there are quite a handful on Amazon with relative good reviews for each.

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          • B BernardIE5317

            If no one minds too much I would like to get something off my chest and state my least favorite programming text i.e. Stroustrup's C++ Reference. Supposedly it was written in English but I couldn't tell. I wish I still had the copy to quote a particular paragraph I have in mind which I found particularly indecipherable but in general my complaints are he speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner which leaves my head spinning as I am dumbfounded by both the vague manner and as yet undisclosed vague topic. It's only computer programming not the mysteries of the cosmos as revealed by advanced science and mathematics. It shouldn't be that hard to learn to print "Hello World" onto the screen. Thanks for tolerating my diatribe Best Wishes Cheerios

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            Roger Wright
            wrote on last edited by
            #16

            I've never read any book on C++ that made a bit of sense, but the worst ever was the Microsoft MFC manual - all three volumes of it. :sigh:

            Will Rogers never met me.

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            • B BernardIE5317

              If no one minds too much I would like to get something off my chest and state my least favorite programming text i.e. Stroustrup's C++ Reference. Supposedly it was written in English but I couldn't tell. I wish I still had the copy to quote a particular paragraph I have in mind which I found particularly indecipherable but in general my complaints are he speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner which leaves my head spinning as I am dumbfounded by both the vague manner and as yet undisclosed vague topic. It's only computer programming not the mysteries of the cosmos as revealed by advanced science and mathematics. It shouldn't be that hard to learn to print "Hello World" onto the screen. Thanks for tolerating my diatribe Best Wishes Cheerios

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              RedDk
              wrote on last edited by
              #17

              Open the Pod bay doors please, HAL ...

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              • B BernardIE5317

                If no one minds too much I would like to get something off my chest and state my least favorite programming text i.e. Stroustrup's C++ Reference. Supposedly it was written in English but I couldn't tell. I wish I still had the copy to quote a particular paragraph I have in mind which I found particularly indecipherable but in general my complaints are he speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner which leaves my head spinning as I am dumbfounded by both the vague manner and as yet undisclosed vague topic. It's only computer programming not the mysteries of the cosmos as revealed by advanced science and mathematics. It shouldn't be that hard to learn to print "Hello World" onto the screen. Thanks for tolerating my diatribe Best Wishes Cheerios

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                obermd
                wrote on last edited by
                #18

                In addition to Stroustrup's C++ reference I'd also go with K&R C Programming language as a 100% useless book.

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                • B BernardIE5317

                  If no one minds too much I would like to get something off my chest and state my least favorite programming text i.e. Stroustrup's C++ Reference. Supposedly it was written in English but I couldn't tell. I wish I still had the copy to quote a particular paragraph I have in mind which I found particularly indecipherable but in general my complaints are he speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner which leaves my head spinning as I am dumbfounded by both the vague manner and as yet undisclosed vague topic. It's only computer programming not the mysteries of the cosmos as revealed by advanced science and mathematics. It shouldn't be that hard to learn to print "Hello World" onto the screen. Thanks for tolerating my diatribe Best Wishes Cheerios

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                  David ONeil
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #19

                  Are you talking about Stroustrup's 'The C++ Programming Language'? If so, our opinions are vastly different. It was one of the most useful books I ever bought.

                  The forgotten roots of science | C++ Programming | DWinLib

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                  • O obermd

                    In addition to Stroustrup's C++ reference I'd also go with K&R C Programming language as a 100% useless book.

                    pkfoxP Offline
                    pkfoxP Offline
                    pkfox
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #20

                    Why ?

                    "I didn't mention the bats - he'd see them soon enough" - Hunter S Thompson - RIP

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                    • O obermd

                      In addition to Stroustrup's C++ reference I'd also go with K&R C Programming language as a 100% useless book.

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                      UnchainedZA
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #21

                      I loved both of those at the time, but that was very long ago. K&R was my intro to C in about 1985/6 and Stroustrup followed as soon as I could get hold of it, having started C++ in 1986 with the Glockenspiel C++ translator (Cfront 1.1).

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                      • L Lost User

                        Yes ... she starts in on "that thing" ... and you have to guess what that thing is.

                        It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allow himself to be confused by it. ― Confucian Analects: Rules of Confucius about his food

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                        Peter Kassenaar
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #22

                        +1

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                        • B BernardIE5317

                          If no one minds too much I would like to get something off my chest and state my least favorite programming text i.e. Stroustrup's C++ Reference. Supposedly it was written in English but I couldn't tell. I wish I still had the copy to quote a particular paragraph I have in mind which I found particularly indecipherable but in general my complaints are he speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner which leaves my head spinning as I am dumbfounded by both the vague manner and as yet undisclosed vague topic. It's only computer programming not the mysteries of the cosmos as revealed by advanced science and mathematics. It shouldn't be that hard to learn to print "Hello World" onto the screen. Thanks for tolerating my diatribe Best Wishes Cheerios

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                          Jordi Lagares Roset
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #23

                          Programmers at work by Susan Lammers (I've read the Spanish version) "Programadores en accción" a long time ago.

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                          • B BernardIE5317

                            If no one minds too much I would like to get something off my chest and state my least favorite programming text i.e. Stroustrup's C++ Reference. Supposedly it was written in English but I couldn't tell. I wish I still had the copy to quote a particular paragraph I have in mind which I found particularly indecipherable but in general my complaints are he speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner which leaves my head spinning as I am dumbfounded by both the vague manner and as yet undisclosed vague topic. It's only computer programming not the mysteries of the cosmos as revealed by advanced science and mathematics. It shouldn't be that hard to learn to print "Hello World" onto the screen. Thanks for tolerating my diatribe Best Wishes Cheerios

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                            denniis
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #24

                            I didn't like "Numerical Recipes in C", by William H at all. I study programming in college and this book was the hardest for me. I learn JavaScript right now and I often use some help of https://assignmentshark.com/ to help me with my homework. These guys are real pro in writing and JavaScript.

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                            • B BernardIE5317

                              If no one minds too much I would like to get something off my chest and state my least favorite programming text i.e. Stroustrup's C++ Reference. Supposedly it was written in English but I couldn't tell. I wish I still had the copy to quote a particular paragraph I have in mind which I found particularly indecipherable but in general my complaints are he speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner which leaves my head spinning as I am dumbfounded by both the vague manner and as yet undisclosed vague topic. It's only computer programming not the mysteries of the cosmos as revealed by advanced science and mathematics. It shouldn't be that hard to learn to print "Hello World" onto the screen. Thanks for tolerating my diatribe Best Wishes Cheerios

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                              Rusty Bullet
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #25

                              That would be the driest book on my list, but the worst would be any of the dozens of "Learning C++" books that describe just enough to validate the title. SQL in 2 hours, etc.

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                              • W W Balboos GHB

                                PaltryProgrammer wrote:

                                speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner

                                Sounds like my wife wrote it. Be glad that he didn't adapt another of her techniques - changing the subject without letting me in on it until the story's half told (possible because of the first technique, above).

                                Ravings en masse^

                                "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                                "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

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                                Hooga Booga
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #26

                                I get that from my wife, but she's got it worse. She has to put up with me! :laugh:

                                Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend; inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. -- Groucho Marx

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                                • R RedDk

                                  Open the Pod bay doors please, HAL ...

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                                  StarNamer work
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #27

                                  RedDk wrote:

                                  Open the Pod bay doors please, HAL ...

                                  Years ago, I read a book which I believe was called "VAX/VMS Internals". Each chapter started with a quote. This was the quote for the chapter on device drivers. Note: This wasn't my least favorite programming book, I actually enjoyed reading it.

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                                  • B BernardIE5317

                                    If no one minds too much I would like to get something off my chest and state my least favorite programming text i.e. Stroustrup's C++ Reference. Supposedly it was written in English but I couldn't tell. I wish I still had the copy to quote a particular paragraph I have in mind which I found particularly indecipherable but in general my complaints are he speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner which leaves my head spinning as I am dumbfounded by both the vague manner and as yet undisclosed vague topic. It's only computer programming not the mysteries of the cosmos as revealed by advanced science and mathematics. It shouldn't be that hard to learn to print "Hello World" onto the screen. Thanks for tolerating my diatribe Best Wishes Cheerios

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                                    Martin ISDN
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #28

                                    any book that has JavaScript in the title, but inside is full with jQuery + HTML + CSS

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                                    • S StarNamer work

                                      RedDk wrote:

                                      Open the Pod bay doors please, HAL ...

                                      Years ago, I read a book which I believe was called "VAX/VMS Internals". Each chapter started with a quote. This was the quote for the chapter on device drivers. Note: This wasn't my least favorite programming book, I actually enjoyed reading it.

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                                      RedDk
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #29

                                      Reference, yes ... I had this interesting C/C++ book called "Jamsa's C/C++ Programmer's Bible" (The Ultimate Guide to C/C++ Programming) ... "Klander&Jamsa" as the professor says when he want's you do some reading ... the only problem was that it is apparently a computer compilation of some sort where the organization of text of the 2"-thick hardcopy is laced with graphic inclusions like flags and icon representations; all the printed pages have background graphic image banners (of god-knows what origin symbolically). Ultimately, while making simple distinctions between C and C++ ... this was 1998 mind you ... comprehensible, the repeated jargonization of the "message" lead the reader into quickly abandoning it's use except for repeated lookup of terms. It became for me hardcopy where I'd go to find something in short explanation when Barne became too convoluted to understand or his examples, like his calculator, seemed too broad in scope. Like the Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 volume (6x) only condensed into the one doorstop. Obviously written by a HAL 9000 ... [o]

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                                      • O obermd

                                        In addition to Stroustrup's C++ reference I'd also go with K&R C Programming language as a 100% useless book.

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                                        Br Bill
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #30

                                        Couldn't disagree more. But then, I learned C with K&R's ANSI edition in 1990, did every exercise in the book, came out with excellent grasp of C. Maybe you came to the game later than that, when K&R really wouldn't apply anymore. But I thought it was good.

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                                        • B BernardIE5317

                                          If no one minds too much I would like to get something off my chest and state my least favorite programming text i.e. Stroustrup's C++ Reference. Supposedly it was written in English but I couldn't tell. I wish I still had the copy to quote a particular paragraph I have in mind which I found particularly indecipherable but in general my complaints are he speaks at length about a particular topic but does not inform the reader what that topic is until late in the paragraph and does so in a vague abstract manner which leaves my head spinning as I am dumbfounded by both the vague manner and as yet undisclosed vague topic. It's only computer programming not the mysteries of the cosmos as revealed by advanced science and mathematics. It shouldn't be that hard to learn to print "Hello World" onto the screen. Thanks for tolerating my diatribe Best Wishes Cheerios

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                                          James Lonero
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #31

                                          Those PhD/Scientist people tend to write in vague terms in the passive voice. So you need to do a lot of reading to get to the point. Compare that book with K&R's C book.

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