What is the best way to learn C++ if I have a bit

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Just would like some thoughts of what you think about my strategy to learn C++. While I understand that it takes years to master a programming language, I simply want to get to the point where I can be considered competent as quickly as possible. Why quickly? Well when I say quickly I'm really saying I'm committed, and that I don't want it to take forever where forever is never. If it takes five years to become competent, it takes five years. I'm not expecting 24 hours or 30 days.

About me: I don't have a CS degree, I have an anthropology degree and a Masters in library science. Learning the CS fundamentals such as Big O notation, and basics such as binary trees and linked lists, sort algorithms has been a challenge. Probably nothing substitutes a good CS degree. :( I do have many years programming experience, starting with PHP in 2001, ActionScript, 2003, JavaScript soon after. I have been writing programs in Python for about two years now and I have learned C (by reading the K&R book and writing some programs), but I'm probably not going to get hired for a C job. Also recently learned Objective C. I work as a JavaScript & Python, & CSS developer at a website at the moment.

Anyhow, this is my strategy: Read the Stroustrup book (I just started on Part I) and at the same time start a simple C++ project, while also doing many of the Stroustrup exercises.

Thoughts?

Answer 1

Sounds like you're on the right track;

1) Set yourself mini-projects of ever increasing difficulty (Hello World, Lottery Picker, Etc Etc)

2) Find a good book or two that contain exercises and can be used as a reference.

It's been about 15 years since I read it, but I seem to recall that the Stroustrup book wasn't exactly the friendliest of the "how to learn..." C++ books. You may want to spend some time on Amazon and do some comparisons.