On-Line C/C++ Courses? 16
Jon_S asks: "I've been happily hacking on Linux for five years now, and actually started playing with computers back as a 7th grader in 1972 on a PDP-8. Somehow I didn't get into a directly computer-related field, but I soon will be. I'm going back for a masters in GIS and I will need to have some solid programming background. I've coded FORTRAN programs back in college, read lots of programming books, and have written my share of shell scripts. The one thing I haven't tackled is C or C++ programming." Put simply, the submittor is hoping to find some quality C/C++ courses on line. Any hints?
"I know I can handle this stuff, I'm a certifiable geek, but to learn something you have to do it. The only way I see myself progressing this way is to take a course that will present the right types of programming challenges that I will need to develop my skill.
Searching on Google brings up tons of courses, but there is no way to tell whether any of these are any good. There are some great courses at RIT and I know this is a good school (friend of mine got a M.S. online there), but the good classes are filled this quarter and will probably next as well."
I like RIT (Score:1)
I took them in '98 but my understanding is the classes are mostly the same. I had an instruction packet and video tapes created by the department. The real action was in working on the labs and participating in a class online forum using FirstClass (a great system born of BBS roots with Mac & Windows clients and a somewhat inferior web interface). I think the video tapes have been replaced with streaming video or something. It's not a big deal, you don't really need to watch them, they mostly helped me get the feel for the compiler.
Unless they've switched, a Windows Borland compiler is used for the class but for 208 I actually used CodeWarrior on a Mac. For 210 I had to get a PC and Borland because we had to turn in the object files as well as source.
You can check Open/Closed Courses yourself by clicking on the link by that name on this page http://www.rit.edu/~webtools/infocenter/
All sections of distance courses have numbers ending in 9x (90, 91, etc.). Today it appears there's one slot left in 0602-208-90. If there's enough demand additional sections of distance courses are sometimes added.
"Just do it" (Score:2)
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You ain't going nowhere without that sheepskin... (Score:2)
Re:why online? (Score:1)
Thanks for everybody's responses.
Re:"Just do it" (Score:1)
Otherwise what you say is correct. As many have pointed out here, Java is something I should be considering seriously. I figure that once I get a firm foundation in C, then I would hope to jump to Java in the proverbial weekend.
Re:Just a thought... (Score:2)
meanwhile, I ran across this site: http://www.r1edu.org [r1edu.org] run out of MIT that organizes what I am looking for.
The best options seem to be this certificate program [washington.edu] from the University of Washington (note, the course descriptions actually suggest Linux rather than DOS or windows for your C programs; how far is this place from Redmond?). Or one of these [berkeley.edu] courses from one of my alma maters, Cal Berkeley.
Anyone know anything of these programs. Good schools at least.
Re:why online? (Score:1)
Not an online course but a great book! (Score:1)
I'm in the same position that you are in but instead of looking for online courses, I purchased a book. Let me recommend Accelerated C++ [amazon.com] by Andrew Koenig. It's very easy to read and starts by teaching you how to program in C++ using the STL. It takes a rather uncommon approach to teaching C++ in that it doesn't teach C principles before diving into the guts of C++. While taking a full class load at college and working part time, reading a book works better for me than an online class would. With an online course, as in a virtual classroom environment, I'd have trouble fitting that into my crazy schedule. The book I can read wherever I am whether I have a computer around or not. Not only that but I believe you only have access to the online courses for a period of time after which you need to pay again if you'd like to take the courses a second time in the future. With a book, you can go back and read it over and over again.
Re:Allow me to introduce... (Score:1)
Thinking in C++ (Score:1)
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why online? (Score:1)
What advantages does an online system give you over a book with exercises at the end of each chapter?
You get a self-paced learning experience, you learn by doing, and you can take it to the crapper with you.
If you're set on online ed from a "real" U., (Score:1)
Just a thought... (Score:1)
Re:Just a thought... (Score:1)
Allow me to introduce... (Score:1)
http://swt-www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~strunk/
Java, it's the only way to go (Score:1)
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