Elysian Shadows

One can never have enough books on programming or computers in general.

I personally own...

Beginning Python
Python Essential Reference
C++ by Bjarne Stroussup (I probably spelt that guy's name wrong)
Sam's Teach Yourself Java in 21 days.
Apache: The Definitive Guide from O'Reilly

The Python books were very helpful. I've not really looked at the Sam's Java book all that much and I find the C++ book extremely verbose and not very easy to get to grips with. It was a relief to see the AIGD vid where Falco said it wasn't a beginner's book.

What books have you found helpful and what books should be avoided at all costs?

Does nobody read?

Books that I own/enjoy

Sams C++ Primer Plus 5th Edition
Focus On SDL: The Premier Press Game Development Series
Programming In C: 3rd Edition (Stephen Kochan)


Books that I would avoid

The Holy Bible

Books that I have:

Teach Yourself C++ in One Hour a Day
Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus, 2nd ed
Code Complete
Design Patterns
Writing Solid Code
Focus on SDL
Programming an RTS Game with Direct3D
Game Codeing Complete, 3rd ed
*Beginning C++ Through Game Programming
*Game Programming All in One, 3rd ed
*Beginning Game Programming, 2nd ed
Advanced 2D Game Development
Algorithms in C parts 1 - 5, 3rd ed
*Swords & Circuitry
Programming Role Playing Games with DirectX, 2nd ed
*Tricks of the Game Programming Gurus
*Teach Yourself Game Programming in 21 Days

* books that I've read

The last two I read a long time ago (1995) and I don't really remember much about them other than using C with them.

I think Google might have a couple of articles
The search function works here too, this question has been asked a lot.

Anyway, two books I like:
Fundamentals of Math and Physics for Game Developers and Beginning OpenGL for Game Developers.

Cheers for the suggestions.

Google is good, but it's search is a bit impersonal. I was looking for the "I have read and used these books, so trust me they are worth it" factor.

hurstshifter wrote: Books that I would avoid

The Holy Bible

HAHAHA!!! So funny


I have "Crash course in C" -by Paul J. Perry

Here is a list of books I currently have in my house, I have some older ones in storage that I do not use currently.

Data Structures and Algorithms for Game Developers
Game Coding Complete 3rd Edition
C++ Primer Plus 5th Edition
Focus on SDL
C++ Programming, Program Design including Data Structures 4th Edition *
Software Engineering for Game Developers
Game Development Essentials 2nd Edition *
Design and Content Creation, A Gamedev.net Collection
Software Engineering 8th Edition *
Visual C# 2008 How to Program 3rd Edition *
Game Programming All in One 3rd Edition
Beginning Game Programming 2nd Edition
Beginning C++ through Game Programming
3D Game Engine Programming
Beginning OpenGL Game Programming 2nd Edition
Sam’s Teach Yourself C++ in 24 hours 4th Edition
Game Engine Toolset Development
C++ Cookbook
Business and Production for Games, A Gamedev.net Collection
Game Testing All in One
Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0 Unleashed
Pro C# 2008 and the .Net 3.5 Platform 4th Edition
Programming in Lua
RPG Programming using XNA Game Studio 3.0
Beginning XNA 3.0 Game Programming
XNA Game Studio Creators Guide 2nd Edition
Beginning Linux Programming 4th Edition
Data Structures using C++ *
Fundamentals of Game Design *
The Game Maker’s Apprentice
Beginning Flash Game Programming for Dummies

The * denotes textbooks that were used in some of my college classes.
This list does not include the various books I have on operating systems, web design, or computer security.

I just finished: "Crash Course in C" -by Paul J. Perry. It was a little monotonous but it was very informative. I just bought "Whose Afraid of C++" -by Steve Heller for $5 on amazon. It is extremely easy to grasp and very well written. I recommend it for beginning programmers, but is still awesome for someone trying to switch from another language to C++.

I just thought that I would mention that some of my best books are actually textbooks from my classes at the University. Keep them.

GyroVorbis wrote:I just thought that I would mention that some of my best books are actually textbooks from my classes at the University. Keep them.

Most of our books at Uni suck. They often are just a bunch of unorganized information, lovelessly squeezed in 150 pages.

K-Bal wrote:

GyroVorbis wrote:I just thought that I would mention that some of my best books are actually textbooks from my classes at the University. Keep them.

Most of our books at Uni suck. They often are just a bunch of unorganized information, lovelessly squeezed in 150 pages.

What the hell? Our textbooks are usually between 500-1000 pages and cost anywhere from $100 to $200 bucks. I have found them pretty useful to go back and learn from.

I was talking about so called scripts we get for each class, which cost between 5 and 25 €. They often recommend secondary literature but there is no money and no time to read them

GyroVorbis wrote:I just thought that I would mention that some of my best books are actually textbooks from my classes at the University. Keep them. ... Our textbooks are usually between 500-1000 pages and cost anywhere from $100 to $200 bucks. I have found them pretty useful to go back and learn from.

Same. I haven't sold back any of my CS books.

I have:
Focus on SDL
C++ Without Fear
and C++ for Dummies

C++ Without fear teaches the bare basics of C++(without going into STL). It teaches you how to use concepts, but it really doesn't go in-depth like other books do.

C++ for Dummies is what I learned my basic C++ from, but after reading other C++ books(like C++ without fear, and the first few pages of C++ Primer on amazon) it really seems more of a reference than a teaching book.

I havn't really started reading Focus on SDL, so I can't give you my impressions just yet.

I've heard great things about C++ Primer 5th edition, and I will be purchasing that when I get the money, and I will be sure and leave my impressions on it.