# C++ and Java Tutorials? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 22, 2001, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-and-java-tutorials/77570 "2001-08-22T17:01:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![slackergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@slackergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slackergirl)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2001, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-and-java-tutorials/77570/1 "2001-08-22T17:01:34Z")
Does anybody have any suggestions for good C++ and Java books to start with? I’m a tech writer, currently working on an API reference library for a product in C. I’m familiar enough with C to do this. However, next year they will be releasing a Java version of the same product, so now I need to learn the basics, and should probably brush up on my C++ while I’m at it. My requirements are pretty basic. My primary work need is to learn the English language surrounding Java, so I sound like I know what I’m talking about. I don’t officially need to write code samples for work, but I’d like to find something that will walk me through the basics, just for my own personal edification. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![bashere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bashere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bashere)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2001, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-and-java-tutorials/77570/2 "2001-08-22T17:06:12Z")
For C++, Practical C++ Programming, O’Reilly and Associates (author is Steve Oualinne). Looks like its probably a chipmunk on the cover. Easy to read, spends a lot of time on the definitions. Perhaps not the book you’d want to read to learn C++, but it has a lot of good things in it. A very quick read for a C programmer. Sorry, no recommendations for Java. ---
**Author:** ![slackergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@slackergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slackergirl)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2001, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-and-java-tutorials/77570/3 "2001-08-23T00:02:52Z")
Thanks **bashere** , it sounds like it could be useful. I’ll check it out. ---
**Author:** ![Chas.E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Chas.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chas.E)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2001, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-and-java-tutorials/77570/4 "2001-08-23T00:12:34Z")
I concur with bashere, the O’Reilly book is a good intro. Now if I could ever finish the section on dereferencing pointers, or find some other way to grok this subject, I’d make some real progress. I’ll offer you a good free source of programming instruction, [http://www.informit.com](http://www.informit.com) They have a pretty good range of free materials online. Free registration required (I used a bogus name, it worked fine). ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2001, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-and-java-tutorials/77570/5 "2001-08-23T05:21:28Z")
I’d recommend [Java in a Nutshell](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1565924878/qid=998543694/sr=1-33/ref=sc_b_33/104-9565637-1541527). It has an introduction to Java syntax and object-orineted programming at the start, and includes a reference guide to the API’s in Java version 1.2 and 1.3 beta. Very user-friendly. ---
**Author:** ![IceQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/34f0e0/32.png) [@IceQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQueen)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2001, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-and-java-tutorials/77570/6 "2001-08-23T05:53:37Z")
I like [just Java](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0130105341/qid=998545792/sr=2-1/ref=aps_sr_b_1_1/107-8503239-6705354) by Peter Van Der Linden very much (comes with a disk, btw), and I really like [Teach Yourself C++ in 21 days](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/067232072X/qid=998545834/sr=2-1/107-8503239-6705354) by Jesse Liberty. Anything O’Reilly is usually good. And [Ivor Horton](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/107-8503239-6705354) is just plain kewl. ---
**Author:** ![slackergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@slackergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slackergirl)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2001, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-and-java-tutorials/77570/7 "2001-08-24T15:14:11Z")
Thanks everyone! I guess now it’s time to cough up the cash and make a trip over to Amazon.