[comp.lang.c++] Teaching intro comp sci with C++

sjb@cs.toronto.edu (Stephen Bellantoni) (11/29/90)

I'm looking for a C++ textbook that would be suitable for first-year
undergraduates majoring in computer science. That is, a textbook for
people who don't know how to program. I'd also be quite interested in
knowing if anyone has tried to teach such a course and what the syllabus
was. Reply through email & I will summarize.

stephen

sjb@cs.toronto.edu (Stephen Bellantoni) (12/04/90)

Recently I sent out a request for a C++ textbook that would be 
suitable for first-year undergraduates; that is, a textbook for 
people who don't know how to program. Replies were quite sparse,
see below. Any further suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, y'all
stephen
------------

Nevill Parakh suggested "The C++ Primer" by Stanley Lippman, as "an
excellent book, well written with good examples". He comments that it
is based on 2.0, not the emerging 2.1 that ANSI is working with.
This is true of most c++ books.

Doug Moore suggested "Using C++" by Bruce Eckel, because it does not
assume a background in C. But he says it is not an "Introduction to
programming" book, which is what I need.

jeenglis@alcor.usc.edu (Joe English Muffin) (12/04/90)

sjb@cs.toronto.edu (Stephen Bellantoni) writes:
>Recently I sent out a request for a C++ textbook that would be 
>suitable for first-year undergraduates; that is, a textbook for 
>people who don't know how to program. Replies were quite sparse,
>see below. Any further suggestions would be appreciated.


I would suggest not using C++ in the first place.
It's too complex to be used as an introctory 
language, IMHO.  Stick with Pascal -- the students
are going to need to learn it eventually anyway
since it's used so extensively in other programming
and algorithms texts.


--Joe English

  jeenglis@alcor.usc.edu