MFC Programmer's SourceBook : Thinking in C++
Bruce Eckel's Thinking in C++, 2nd Ed Contents | Prev | Next

3: The C in C++

Since C++ is based on C, you must be familiar with the syntax of C in order to program in C++, just as you must be reasonably fluent in algebra in order to tackle calculus.

If you’ve never seen C before, this chapter will give you a decent background in the style of C used in C++. If you are familiar with the style of C described in the first edition of Kernighan & Ritchie (often called K&R C) you will find some new and different features in C++ as well as in Standard C. If you are familiar with Standard C, you should skim through this chapter looking for features that are particular to C++. Note that there are some fundamental C++ features introduced here, although they are basic ideas that are akin to the features in C. The more sophisticated C++ features will not be introduced until later chapters.

This chapter is a fairly fast coverage of C constructs, with the understanding that you’ve had some experience programming in another language. If after reading the chapter you still don’t feel comfortable with the fundamentals, you may want to consider purchasing Thinking in C: Foundations for Java & C++ by Chuck Allison (published by MindView, Inc., and available at http://www.MindView.net, where you’ll find the introductory lecture as a free demonstration). This is a seminar on a CD-ROM, much like the CD packaged with this book, and its goal is to take you carefully through the fundamentals of the C language, but focusing on the knowledge necessary for you to be able to move on to the C++ or Java languages rather than trying to make you an expert in all the dark corners of C (one of the reasons for using a higher-level language like C++ or Java is precisely so we can avoid many of these dark corners). It also contains excercises and guided solutions.

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