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C/C++ programming resources and tutorials: cprogramming.com

Mon, 01/28/2002 - 09:46 — charlie.collins

I will be the first to admit that I am not a C programmer. I prefer other languages (java.) However, inevitably from time to time even if you are not a "C guy" if you are involved in development or system administration for any length of time you will end up face to face with C. You might be simply trying to get something to compile correctly on your system, checking out something to see "how do they do that" or extending a shell script or other programming language with an outside C based function. C/C++ has pros and cons, but when done right, its good and its built for speed.

For resources on all things C inclduing a great intro tutorial check out cprogramming.com.   http://www.cprogramming.com/

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Mon, 01/28/2002 - 23:33 — Andy (not verified)

Re: C/C++ programming resources and tutorials: cprogramming.com

I might be somewhat biased since my school teaches its CS program mainly on a C/C++ platform, but I love C/C++. However, in trying to figure out why they taught almost exclusively in C/C++, I made a few bad assumtions about java:

My first ignorant assumption was that the CS department at VT was simply "behind the times" by not using java. But after discussing the issue with a few professors I realized how much thought actually went into the decision to stick with the C/C++ standard, and I happen to agree with their argumentation. While it is an awesome programming language, java has too much abstraction and doesn't give students the fundamental understanding of system level concepts such as memory allocation, file manipulation, and pointer functionality that C/C++ does (the pointer issue being my biggest complaint). Also, C++ has a very comprehensive object model. Correct me if I am mistaken, but I don't believe their is any form of aggregation, association, inheretance, polymorphism, protection, etc that java does and C++ doesn't. It seems pretty complete. Therefore I would claim that C++ is the better choice for learning purposes than java is.

My second ignorant assumption was that we get less "real world" exposure when we stick to only one language. This fact was impirically denied in my java class this semester. With my strong C/C++ background, picking up java is extremely easy. In the real world, this transition to language x is probably just as easy.

I know this post is sort of tangental to the story, but I just wanted to give my experience with the two languages and my thoughts on their relative merits. As I am just getting started in java this semester, I would welcome any dialogue regarding the above points.

Tue, 01/29/2002 - 21:50 — atrox (not verified)

Re: C/C++ programming resources and tutorials: cprogramming.com

well put sir

i would tend to agree with you. having done it the other way around, and still nowhere near knowing C, i do agree that having an underlying understanding makes for a much better approach than abstraction.

for example i believe that a strong networking and system administration background also makes for a better developer :P.

sounds like the teacher people at VT are on the ball, and it sounds like you are not only catching up to the old dudes (uh, me) , but suprassing them.

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