Book · 1986
C++ Primer
by Stanley B. Lippman
The reference you keep open next to the keyboard once C++ stops handing you training wheels.
What does Reddit think of C++ Primer?
'This sub swears by The C++ Primer' is close to the exact language in the top relevant r/learnprogramming citation (↑95), and twenty of twenty-five mentions in this sample land in that subreddit, so the claim checks out on frequency if nothing else. Where every thread agrees is that the language itself is the problem: one (↑118) calls C++ not beginner-friendly and blames pointers and dynamic memory for tripping people up before any book opens; another (↑100) calls it 'expert-friendly' by design. The nostalgia quote (↑69) is the most concrete: 'the joys of having a huge ass book like C++ Primer open next to you for reference. Had its own charm.' That's the actual use case on display, a reference kept open beside you. One reader (↑65) describes the opposite: bought it for 'a thorough read,' then asked what to build with it.
Community feedback & reader fit
Themes
- · reference doorstop, not a first read
- · this sub's default C++ recommendation
- · expert-friendly language needs a book
- · Stroustrup's own book as the alternative
Common praise
- + 'This sub swears by The C++ Primer' is close to a verbatim endorsement from the top relevant r/learnprogramming citation (↑95).
- + One commenter (↑69) remembers keeping it open as a running reference and says it 'had its own charm.'
- + It gets bundled into an active-learning reading list (↑76) next to C Primer Plus, not treated as a standalone slog.
Common criticism
- − The same top citation (↑95) that credits the sub's loyalty personally prefers Stroustrup's own Principles and Practice instead.
- − 'Huge ass book' (↑69) is affectionate, but it's still the word choice — a doorstop, not a quick read.
Who it's for
Buy this once you've accepted C++ won't hand you training wheels — the language is 'expert-friendly' by one poster's description (↑100), and this is the sub's answer to that problem. Want it as a shelf reference you crack open mid-project rather than a start-to-finish read? That's how the nostalgia quote (↑69) actually used it. Prefer learning from the language's own creator instead? Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ is the alternative the same recommender reaches for personally.
Mentions over time
Top subreddits
Which Reddit comments matter for C++ Primer?
The most relevant excerpts across the subreddits where this book is mentioned — opinionated, argued takes first, then top-upvoted mentions. Click through to read the full thread.
“Well, this is usually because C++ is not really a beginner friendly language. You need to understand the architecture/fundamentals of a computer system at times to understand certain concepts and are often difficult to understand ex: pointers, dynamic memory allocation etc. and with C++ you never fi…
“Your portfolio is the most important to employers, you don't need a college degree but it shows you know the basics. So most people here are going to tell you that was a one in a billion chance and he was already skilled in programming, and I agree with them but let's take your route. If you code e…
“C++ is known to be "expert-friendly", which means it gives you a lot of tools to get programming done, which may not be obvious if you are completely new to programming. Since you have programming experience already with other languages, you may have enough knowledge to give you an appreciation for …
“imo c++ lacks a centralized domain to learn in-depth like other languages. You probably need a book to really go all the way, this sub swears by ***The C++ Primer.*** I personally also like ***Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++*** by Bjarne Stroustrup
“## 1. Prioritize active learning over passive learning. - *C Primer Plus* - *C++ Primer* - [*Linux 101 Hacks*](
“🙂 Aah yes! The joys of having a huge ass book like C++ Primer open next to you for reference. Had its own charm. Thanks for sharing your experiences BTW.
“I really enjoyed C++ in university. I’m struggling with finding personal projects to tackle to build experience. Do you have any suggestions on what to tackle specifically with C++? I just got the C++ primer to get a thorough read. I guess I’m just asking for some general direction.
“C++ Primer was my first coding book, and I learned a s***-ton. OPs got it right.
“Also, the C++ Primer. I'm reading it alongside Stroustrup's book and it like a simplified, more condensed version. Learning C++ with the Primer is probably quicker and easier, but Strousrup's book is a lot more in-depth for those who want to learn every little detail of C++.
“Now that you have an understanding of what things programming can do, I'd recommend taking a deep dive into some of the fundamentals. Reading something like will give you a deeper understanding of what's going on under the hood. While…
“C++ Primer is an amazing book, I'm working through it to fill in holes in my C++ knowledge. However, it probably helps a lot that OP had some prior programming experience before reading it. It's pretty dense and throws a lot at you right from the start.
“C++ primer, for the people that are prepared to spend some money on programming books. It literally teaches you every detail of of the C++ language
“C++ primer is a very gud one. But I suggest you dis website learncpp.com
“If you really want a full overview, work your way through C++ Primer. That book is a 1000+ pages door stopper but it covers everything you need to know to get a solid understanding about the language. After that, look for tutorials specific to thing you want to build.
“Do you already know how to program? If not, then read Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs. If yes, then get C++ Primer by Lippman.
Convinced? Pick up C++ Primer
What else does r/learnprogramming read?
Other books mentioned in the same sub, ranked. Shared-sub overlap with this title breaks ties.
C++ Primer — frequently asked
Does r/learnprogramming actually recommend C++ Primer, or is that overstated?+
It's close to literal. One commenter (↑95) writes 'this sub swears by The C++ Primer' while explaining why C++ needs a dedicated book rather than scattered tutorials. Twenty of the twenty-five recognized mentions in this dataset come from that subreddit, so the frequency backs the claim even if it's one poster's framing.
Is C++ Primer meant to be read cover to cover?+
Not obviously, per the sample. One commenter (↑69) describes 'the joys of having a huge ass book like C++ Primer open next to you for reference,' framing it as something you consult, not finish. A different poster (↑65) says they bought it for 'a thorough read,' so both uses show up.
What's the alternative to C++ Primer if I want something from Bjarne Stroustrup directly?+
Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++. The same r/learnprogramming commenter (↑95) who says the sub swears by C++ Primer immediately adds that they personally prefer Stroustrup's own book instead.
Is C++ known for being beginner-unfriendly, and does that affect how C++ Primer gets recommended?+
Yes on both counts. One thread (↑118) says C++ isn't beginner-friendly because concepts like pointers and dynamic memory require architecture-level understanding first; another (↑100) calls the language 'expert-friendly' by design. C++ Primer gets recommended into exactly that gap.