Advice needed: Which Java and C++ books and software should I buy?

[UKLee]

Hi all,

I need some advice on what books and software I should buy so that I can learn to program in Java and C++... can anyone recommend any books that they have found to be particularly useful in learning these languages? I have already learnt a fair amount of Visual Basic and I know plenty about it, but I am a complete newcomer to Java and C++ so I would need something for a total beginner that would allow me to prgress to, say, an intermediate level. I will be starting a Computer Science degree course soon so I thought it would be a good idea to start learning these two in my spare time - they seem like a good progression from VB. Also, what programs/development software could you recommend I buy that would be best for a first time user? Should I go for Microsoft Visual J++ or Borland, or Visual C++ or something else?

Any help or advice on where to start with guidebooks and software will be very much appreciated! Please reply here or write to me at lee_meyers@denbigh.net !

Lee http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[zskillz]

JAVA: Software Solutions
by John Lewis and William Loftus

I just spent the last semester using this book and have really liked it. It has the entire API in the back and that is invaluable. In addition, there are tons of really useful examples in the book.
good luck
-Z

[GlobalNameSpace]

Good books:

Thinking in JAVA
Thinking in C++
These books teach good programming skills, have thourough explanations and good examples.

If you're programming for Windows I hate to say the Microsoft Visual stuff is the best. You have to learn all of Microsoft's rules so you'll be using Java or C++ but really writing "The Microsoft Way" with their API's etc..

Go to any book store, look over some of the books, find one that feels right. I know I've bought some that I didn't really understand till months later.

Also some publishers just put out better books, The 24hr/21Days/Teach Yourself stuff is not bad but they normally try to introduce analogy's that don't give you direct comprehension of what's happening when you say ... allocate memory.
The O'Reilly books are great once you have some knowledge of the subject.
For C++ learning how to use Microsoft Foundation Classes(MFC) (how most Window's developemnt is done now) you'll want The Microsoft Press books. They are very clean.

Good Luck