Book · 2008
Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++
by Bjarne Stroustrup
Bjarne Stroustrup, the man who invented C++, writes the beginner's book on it himself instead of leaving that job to someone else.
What does Reddit think of Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++?
Ten mentions, nine of them in r/learnprogramming, and the recurring move is crediting the author. "Bjarne Stroustrup (original designer and implementor of C++)" gets spelled out in full in the top-upvoted answer (↑219) to a thread asking for the best C++ book for absolute beginners. That's the recurring argument for it: not that it's the easiest book, but that it comes from the source. One commenter (↑95) complicates that a little, noting C++ "lacks a centralized domain to learn in-depth like other languages" and that the sub "swears by" The C++ Primer instead, mentioning Stroustrup's book only as a personal second choice. r/compsci's single mention (↑17) recommends it without elaborating why. Nobody here argues it's a bad book. What's missing is any displayed excerpt on how it reads once you're past the introduction, every quote is a recommendation made before anyone's finished it.
Community feedback & reader fit
Themes
- · Written by C++'s own creator
- · Framed as the answer to "best book for absolute beginners"
- · Sits alongside The C++ Primer as a competing default pick
- · Recommended as a book-first alternative to YouTube tutorials
Common praise
- + Gets recommended specifically because Stroustrup designed the language himself, not just because he wrote a book about it (↑219).
- + One commenter argues C++ specifically rewards reading a real book over piecing things together from YouTube, and names this as that book (↑126).
- + Still gets a personal nod even from someone who says the sub generally prefers The C++ Primer instead (↑95).
Common criticism
- − Every displayed excerpt is a recommendation made at the point of picking a book, none of them report back on finishing it or applying what's in it.
- − One commenter explicitly ranks The C++ Primer as the sub's default pick and puts this book second, a personal preference rather than the consensus choice (↑95).
- − Ten mentions over five active years in one subreddit doesn't establish this as a widely discussed book outside of "what should I buy" threads.
Who it's for
Never touched a line of code and specifically want C++ as your first language? This is the answer that keeps winning "best beginner book" threads in r/learnprogramming. Trying to learn from YouTube alone and stalling out? One commenter here argues C++ punishes that approach more than most languages and a book closes the gap.
Mentions over time
Top subreddits
Which Reddit comments matter for Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++?
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.
“> Best C++ book for an absolute beginner without any experience in coding Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup (original designer and implementor of C++) > a programming language for fun and possibly create games You can do that in pretty much any language, e.g. Pyt…
“If you want a thorough foundation in C++ I highly suggest you read a book on it rather than youtube videos. You can learn the basics through youtube but C++ is a bit more complicated than other languages and you would be better prepared if you took some time to read a book and follow along writing y…
“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
“Programming: Principles and Practice using C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup, the creator of C++. It is intended to be an introduction to programming in general, using the C++ language, so I think that is your best bet.
“1. learncpp.com 2. Bjarne Stroustrup: Programming Principles and Practice Using C++, Second Edition Quoted from the preface section of this great book: # Preface This book is for someone who has never programmed before but is willing to work hard to learn. It helps you understand the pr…
“I recommend picking up a copy of either [Programming Principles and Practice Using C++](
“"[Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ (Second Edition)](
“> Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup
“I have heard this book is great. Programming, Principles and practice using c++, Bjarn Stroustrup It has been written by the guy who invented c++. He minds what it mean to teach and to learn, and is a thoughtfull guy.
“Bjarne Stroustrup - Programming Principles and Practice Using C++ (Beginner) / Bjarne Stroustrup - C++ Programming Language (Intermediate) - A book everyone should have on his desk.
Convinced? Pick up Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++
What else does r/learnprogramming read?
Other books mentioned in the same sub, ranked. Shared-sub overlap with this title breaks ties.
Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ — frequently asked
Is Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ good for someone who's never coded before?+
Yes, per the top-upvoted answer in r/learnprogramming (↑219), which names it directly in response to a beginner asking for the best C++ book with zero coding experience, citing Stroustrup's authorship of the language itself as the reason to trust it.
Should I read Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ or The C++ Primer?+
Depends who you ask. One r/learnprogramming commenter (↑95) says the sub generally "swears by" The C++ Primer and lists Stroustrup's book as a personal secondary pick. Neither is dismissed outright in this data, but Primer gets described as the more common default.
Does Reddit think Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ beats learning from YouTube?+
One high-upvoted comment (↑126) argues yes for C++ specifically, saying the language is complex enough that a book and following-along exercises beat piecing things together from video tutorials alone. No displayed excerpt argues the opposite.
Why does Reddit keep recommending Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ by name?+
Because Stroustrup wrote it himself. Multiple excerpts spell out his role as "original designer and implementor of C++" (↑219) as the actual selling point, treating authorship as the credential rather than reviewing the pedagogy chapter by chapter.