Any suggestions for a good C++ book

[AcquiredTarget]

I'm working on my mad skillZ by teaching myself C++ with Visual Studio (I'd take a class at the local community college, but they don't have any until the fall semester). I've got a few C++ books I like but I'm always looking fer some new good ones. Any suggestions?

[Blackwolf]

What type of C++ are you trying to do? What do you want to accomplish?

[Burr]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0965485390.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

LOL that's actually what we used in my high school.

[GH33DA]

-this Message Is Too Short So Blah Blah- C#?

[AcquiredTarget]

What type of C++ are you trying to do? What do you want to accomplish?Right now, just trying to learn it since I've got VS.net. I'll probably apply it to databases (Oracle probably) as I've seen job ads for Oracle with C++ as a requirement. I would've said game development, but something tells me that everyone and their brother is heading that way.
-this Message Is Too Short So Blah Blah- C#?C#'s next on the list.

[Blackwolf]

Ironically, a lot of the stuff you find in game programming books is really good to know in terms of learning C++. Most of what you do in Visual Studio are what we call "code behinds", which is basically you using a Form Wizard to make the UI and then clicking on the button and writing stuff underneath to do what you want it to do. Whereas with game programming, you're also creating the UI and you have to use more C++ than you normally would.

A great first foray, though, is a book by Charles Petzold. He starts you off with low-level. You don't use any of the Form Wizard tools in Visual Studio - you do everything with code. It's what I used to start with Windows 95 programming, because it teaches you about the rudimentary Windows API before you throw yourself into AppWizard stuff.

[AcquiredTarget]

The API is part of what I'd like to get down. While databases are my focus, it'd be neato to program games. I'll check put the Petzold book. I'm assuming you're talking about his Programming Windows.
Burr,
What'd you think of that book. The reviews on Amazon aren't that good.

[Blackwolf]

Yes, his Programming Windows series is good. I used Programming Windows 95, but there's later ones out there that have the same low-level philosophy. :>

[Burr]

It wasn't that good.. Good enough for the AP Comp-Sci test, which I got a 5 on. But not that good overall.

[Blackwolf]

It gives you a very good low-level understanding of How Shit Works and Why Shit Works. Might not be the best way of doing things from a business standpoint, but you understand HOW to program a lot better than if you get "LEARN VISUAL C++ PROGRAMMING IN 21 HOURS OVER 24 DAYS WHILE SITTING ON THE CAN" from IdiotWare Publishing...

[AcquiredTarget]

I think I own that one. Or a reasonable facsimile.