Buying Older Used Books To Learn Programming

I've recently developed an interest in programming. I can print out various  Wikipedia articles on a variety of topics. A few days ago I received a 2008 edition of Beginning Programming for Dummies £2.50 including delivery. The new edition comes out in August 2023 at £27.99. Also got a used copy of A Level Computer Science for £5.99
I  see many second hand, older editions of books available, C programming in easy steps 2003. Even though these books are past editions. I assume the programming fundementals, techniques will be the same, C programming, is C Programming is C Programming?  
Am I correct on this, or barking up the wrong tree?
Cheers.

Edited by Pollys13a, 10 June 2022 - 02:51 PM.

Hi, you should be able to find some in your library as well as used book stores.   There is this though need to set up a another email account, have been using site for years and once in awhile something comes up : https://betanews.com/2022/06/10/get-excel-2019-all-in-one-for-dummies-free/  this just came up.  As well with that new email account there is : https://sharewareonsale.com/ which has on-line courses and free ebooks as well as programs.

 

Used it for years for progs I wanted if came up but I do uninstall the installed program with Revo Uninstaller. and have paid ver which monitors the install so I get it all out.

 

Edit : Sometimes not the best for too old as tech has already changed.

Edited by Pkshadow, 10 June 2022 - 03:16 PM.

There are basically two disadvantages of buying older editions. One is that you get an older version of software, as you say. The other is that newer editions might have corrections and improved material.
 
Publishers such as Springer, Apress and Manning often have books on sale. You can get on their mailing lists. I went the other extreme and got a book that is being written at a substantial savings.

OK thanks for the....... input guys

Edited by Pollys13a, 11 June 2022 - 03:06 PM.

Um, the plot thickens. I did a search and found,
What’s The Difference Between C – Now and Then
The C programming language remains the mainstay for embedded developers. Find out how it has changed over the years.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/dev-tools/article/21798314/whats-the-difference-between-c-now-and-then

Udemy has some affordable courses.
 

Edited by Pollys13a, 11 June 2022 - 05:01 PM.

I've recently developed an interest in programming. I can print out various  Wikipedia articles on a variety of topics. A few days ago I received a 2008 edition of Beginning Programming for Dummies £2.50 including delivery. The new edition comes out in August 2023 at £27.99. Also got a used copy of A Level Computer Science for £5.99
I  see many second hand, older editions of books available, C programming in easy steps 2003. Even though these books are past editions. I assume the programming fundementals, techniques will be the same, C programming, is C Programming is C Programming?  
Am I correct on this, or barking up the wrong tree?
Cheers.

Possibly my misunderstanding, but if that Dummies book is what I think it is, it included (when bought new) a big section on Liberty BASIC version 2, and this same software application included on a compact disc.  The book and the software were very helpful in relearning BASIC programming and allowing to start making code for graphical interfaces.    Another but much older textbook that could be helpful if you could find it is  Problem Solving And Structured Programming In BASIC, authors being Koffman & Friedman, from 1979.  (But only for BASIC).

Edited by cafejose, 19 July 2022 - 05:57 AM.

 

I've recently developed an interest in programming. I can print out various  Wikipedia articles on a variety of topics. A few days ago I received a 2008 edition of Beginning Programming for Dummies £2.50 including delivery. The new edition comes out in August 2023 at £27.99. Also got a used copy of A Level Computer Science for £5.99
I  see many second hand, older editions of books available, C programming in easy steps 2003. Even though these books are past editions. I assume the programming fundementals, techniques will be the same, C programming, is C Programming is C Programming?  
Am I correct on this, or barking up the wrong tree?
Cheers.

Possibly my misunderstanding, but if that Dummies book is what I think it is, it included (when bought new) a big section on Liberty BASIC version 2, and this same software application included on a compact disc.  The book and the software were very helpful in relearning BASIC programming and allowing to start making code for graphical interfaces.    Another but much older textbook that could be helpful if you could find it is  Problem Solving And Structured Programming In BASIC, authors being Koffman & Friedman, from 1979.  (But only for BASIC).

 

OK thanks.

I am learning C++ to enhance functionality of a program called Unreal Engine. I have found LearnCpp.com is a great way to build a foundation in C++ programming. The tutorials are free and easy to understand. It is recommended to use Microsoft Visual Studio to write and compile the programs in the tutorials and it is also free to use. The following statement is quoted from the website.

“LearnCpp.com is a free website devoted to teaching you how to program in C++. Whether you’ve had any prior programming experience or not, the tutorials on this site will walk you through all the steps to write, compile, and debug your C++ programs, all with plenty of examples. Becoming an expert won’t happen overnight, but with a little patience, you’ll get there. And LearnCpp.com will show you the way.”

Believe me, if I can learn C++ from these tutorials most anyone can. I am still at the novice skill level but I am learning. It takes time and effort.

https://www.learncpp.com/

Edited by henryanthony, 20 July 2022 - 03:11 AM.

Some programming languages have been evoluted with new techniques and old (functions, libraries, frameworks) ones are deprecated or removed. So newer material to study is better because it fits the study path.  When we create study material use for our students at college, we do not inspire from firstnewest versions but use a stable version. 

For real coding (C#, VB, .NET, Python, C++, C): it doesn't have to be new. 

For webdevelopment/app dev: always use the most newest versions where the study information is based on. New Flutter release? If stable use the newest documentation.

This evolution seems to target more webdevelopment, then traditional programming languages. 

For example:

 

PHP, since v7 mysql has been replaced with mysqli entension

It's possible to follow a tutorial for flutter and there is big new update released
 

In companies they work now a days more with frameworks  ASP.NET MVC Entity framework

polly: eBay is another potential source

I am learning C++ to enhance functionality of a program called Unreal Engine. I have found LearnCpp.com is a great way to build a foundation in C++ programming. The tutorials are free and easy to understand. It is recommended to use Microsoft Visual Studio to write and compile the programs in the tutorials and it is also free to use. The following statement is quoted from the website.

“LearnCpp.com is a free website devoted to teaching you how to program in C++. Whether you’ve had any prior programming experience or not, the tutorials on this site will walk you through all the steps to write, compile, and debug your C++ programs, all with plenty of examples. Becoming an expert won’t happen overnight, but with a little patience, you’ll get there. And LearnCpp.com will show you the way.”

Believe me, if I can learn C++ from these tutorials most anyone can. I am still at the novice skill level but I am learning. It takes time and effort.

https://www.learncpp.com/

OK, thanks for that.

polly: eBay is another potential source

Cheers.

Some programming languages have been evoluted with new techniques and old (functions, libraries, frameworks) ones are deprecated or removed. So newer material to study is better because it fits the study path.  When we create study material use for our students at college, we do not inspire from firstnewest versions but use a stable version. 

For real coding (C#, VB, .NET, Python, C++, C): it doesn't have to be new. 

For webdevelopment/app dev: always use the most newest versions where the study information is based on. New Flutter release? If stable use the newest documentation.

This evolution seems to target more webdevelopment, then traditional programming languages. 

For example:

 

PHP, since v7 mysql has been replaced with mysqli entension

It's possible to follow a tutorial for flutter and there is big new update released
 

In companies they work now a days more with frameworks  ASP.NET MVC Entity framework

Cheers.

If you're looking for a free beginner level introduction to C++

 

https://www.codecademy.com/courses/learn-c-plus-plus/lessons/cpp-hello-world/exercises/introduction

If you're looking for a free beginner level introduction to C++

 

https://www.codecademy.com/courses/learn-c-plus-plus/lessons/cpp-hello-world/exercises/introduction

Thanks but the link seems to be dead.

Works OK for me.

 

Try going to the home page ... https://www.codecademy.com/ ... and at the bottom of the page click on ... browse catalog ... on the catalog page scroll down to find ... Learn C++

 

You've got to enrol (sign up) to see any of the course content.

Edited by Gary R, 22 July 2022 - 07:23 AM.