Greg Perry
1 There is a Problem but Book Remains Excellent
There are some complaints about the fact that the 3rd edition (2003) of "Absolute Beginner's Guide..." relies a lot on Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Working Edition. This is a real problem since it is not available. However, I do not agree that this makes the book useless after chapter 5. Certainly, Perry should write a 4th edition that either includes Visual Basic 6.0 on CD or uses an available language. You can skip chapters 5 through 11 and still gain a lot from 1 to 4 and the rest of the book from Part IV on. Perry's coverage of Algorithms, C, C++, Macro, Batch, Scripting languages, Internet concepts, HTML, XML, Java, maintenance & the Programming Business are superb and well worth the price of the book. You can learn Basic from another excellent beginner's book "Beginning Programming for Dummies," by Wally Wang.
I would ignore the two recent comments by goof balls who do not talk about the Perry book but about what they think Perry's political views are. I mean, what sane person cares what Perry may think on his own time? His knowledge and excellent skill at teaching programming is what matters in any review of his books.
Oscar Wild was rumored to wear panties to bed. Does that stop the narcissists from reading his plays or his novels?
--J
2 where do you get the software?
this book is great for learning how to program...if you can get your hands on the software. Visual basic 6.0 working edition is the model for the majority of the text and the author offers no way to get it for free, which means you have to buy it seperately. I would suggest getting a book that has the programming languages you are going to use included on a cd.
3 Author a right-wing nut!
Please read this web-site created by author before purchase:
www.gregandjayne.com/GregsCorner.htm
4 I Wish I Had Known
The book lives up to its title in terms of being an introductory guide to programming, but what I didn't know was I had to have the specific program "Visual Basic" as well to get beyond chapter five. This revelation left the remaining 19 chapters of the book of no value to me at all. I do have "Visual Basic.Net", but it's way too much of a process to try to convert from one program to another and learn how they work at the same time.
5 decent book but author's background dubious
An OK primer for beginners, covering the rudiments of programming well. But before you buy this, or any other of Mr. Perry's books, I suggest you look into some of his virulently hateful non-computer-related comments; for example, those published on his own web site, www.gregandjayne.com. This site has since been sanitized, but you can still access the page www.gregandjayne.com/GregsCorner.htm by going to Google and typing in the words "still proudly intolerant of homosexuals" into the advanced search exact phrase box.
6 Don't buy without having Visual Basic
This book requires visual basic. So if you thought all you had to do to start programming today think again. Trying to read this book without following along in visual basic was way to confusing. So if you want to buy this book to learn programming I would also recommend you buy Microsoft's Visual Basic. You can find the current price at microsoft.com. Other wise I would recommend to a true absolute beginner buying Wallace Wang's "Beginning Programming for Dummies" Try to keep in mind you will want the most recent edition because things in the languages change with each version.
7 Not a good guide at all....
This book dives into various programming languages which is helpful - but does not provide clear examples or suggest how you can write basic programs. Even using Visual Studio .Net I struggled to get the code in this book to generate a working program. I would not recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn to write programs - there are much better books on the various languages. I was very disappointed by this book and have already retired it.
8 absolute beginner!
I bought this book because of the glorious praise it received on this website, as well as on others. I am definitely an ABSOLUTE beginner, and found the first four chapters extremely easy to read and informative. I was very much looking forward to Chapter 5 and beginning to program. The book DOES NOT provide a CDROM with the necessary programs, and if you are an absolute beginner like me, you probably have no idea where you can get these programs (except to purchase them all). I'm still bewildered. If the programs were available I would give a much higher star rating.
9 Need this book and another!
You do need to have another book and THEN reference this one!! This book has very good explanations on how things work BUT it DOES NOT give you any FULL C coding examples except at the end -one long Blackjack game.
10 Good easy to understand
I bought this book in order to learn how to program. It was useful and easy to understand. It was a worthwhile purchase.
11 Wonderful "starter guide" to Programming
This book takes the subject of programming from a beginner's point of view and instructs its readers quite well. Starting with a basic understanding of what a computer is, what it can do with the proper software, and a brief history, it then goes on to describe a program's "anatomy." There's also descriptions of the early programming languages like FORTRAN, COBOL, even RPG and Pascal (which would later be the forerunner to C). And then on to "modern-day" languages like C, C++, and Visual Basic.
In fact, the book devotes much of its concept to Visual Basic (VB), stating that a lot of the concepts in learning VB can be applied to other programming languages. The book devotes several chapters about VB, along with numerous helpful diagrams that help to show the different concepts being described. Subsequent chapters take on other languages like C and C++, along with batch and scripting languages. I never realized how simple a scripting langauge could be to put together.
There's also a big section on "Internet programming languages," like HTML, DHTML, XML, Java, and Javascript. While they are only touched upon briefly, you still get a general idea of how each langauge works. While it may be a stretch to call HTML and XML "languages" per se, they are still obviously important to know if you plan to do any web programming.
This is an excellent book for a beginning programmer or even for a technical writer who wants to know a little bit about programming concepts.
12 One of the best beginner's guides to programming.
This book is one of the best beginner's guides to programming. It will teach you from the very beginning point to the fundamental of programming. The book will teach you basic programming language Visual Basic and will mention C, C++, Java and Web Programming. It is wriiten quite understandable in Plain English. If you want to programm but do not know where to start this book can be your starting point. Good Luck.
13 One of the best beginner's guides to programming
This book is one of the best beginner's guides to programming. It will teach you from the very starting point to the fundamental of progamming world. The book will teach you basic programming langauge Visual Basic and will mention C, C++, Java Scripting and Web Programming. It is written quite understable in plain English. If you want to programm but do not know where to start this book can be your starting point. Good luck.
14 Just a note on second edition
Most of the reviews here, including the editorial reviews, at the time that I write this, are for the first edition. The first edition used Qbasic. This edition uses Visual Basic for the most part (so you have to own at least the learning edition). I havent read it yet, but it seems to be based still mostly on the older text (which is a good thing...) but has also taken advantage of Visual Basic's capabilities. Hopefully someone just starting out will write a review here. I give it 4 stars, but only because that is the current average. The system doesnt let you abstain from voting ;)
15 Professor backed...
My professor, a thirty-five year veteran programmer, highly recommended this read as a supplement to the C course, Intro to Programming I am taking. It is well-written and much more concise than the factory text, which is written for programmers. I look forward to finishing the book and the course!
16 Thank you so much,Mr Greg M.Perry.
I am a beginner in C Programming and I really hate it until I read your book.Everything is so clear.I read many books about C Programming but the more I read ,the more I get confusing.In my opinon,your book is number one . Lienle
17 Well Written, But Out Of Date...
This book is from 1993 and is not up-to-date. It has no coverage of Java whatsoever. The good news is that Greg Perry is an excellent author and has a more current book in the "Sam's" series, which is "Sam's Teach Yourself Beginning Programming in 24 Hours," so I would suggest that book instead. It is just as entertaining and a lot more current.
18 The best introduction to programming I've even seen
This is the best introductory programming book. It gives you all the confidents for programming. It not only helps you for now, but also later in your career. I took a structural programming class last semester, and I dropped it after the first week. I thought I really needed some preparation skills for the Java programming before taking it for the second time. This is the thorough beginner book. It helps you by building your programming foundation stronger.
19 informitive but QBASIC is no longer in Windows 98
This book is very informitive in nature but it based everything in it's contents to QBASIC. QBASIC is no longer in Microsoft Windows 98. So if you are running 98 do not get this book; unless you have no idea what you computer is than it is a very informitive book.
20 Golden Oldie
This book is a masterpiece but suffers from one major flaw, it is outdated. Perry is at his usual best here in describing the programming process to the average layman. He breaks into rich examples of QBASIC and describes in very general terms the protocol of the programming job market. For anyone totally unfamiliar with programming in the early nineties this would be an ideal book. Perry has since picked up where this book left off with his newer book TEACH YOURSELF BEGINNING PROGRAMMING IN 24 HOURS. The newer book even includes identical opening chapters from this book which are still relevant today. Unless you are loking for a very primitive primer on programming and QBASIC in particular, I recommend skipping this book and going for Perry's later contribution. If you are seeking a QBASIC primer to prepare for Visual Basic you might be better off getting Perry's outstanding book QBASIC BY EXAMPLE. Aside from that this book has little to offer in the rapidly changing world of computer programming in the year 2000.
21 Very Pleased
The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Programming is an excellent first book for beginning programmers. The explanations are clear and help to bring a sense of continuity to topics otherwise confusing to novice computer users. You don't have to be interested in programming to benefit from this book. I teach beginning computer applications, and I pride myself of being able to communicate to persons who don't believe themselves to be computer literate in the least, the fundamentals of computer operations. I have gained valuable information not only for my interest in computer programming, but for my classes as well. Thank you Mr. Perry. Your book has helped me immeasurably.
22 Not for Macs!
Fine book in general; I have some pedagogical reservations about the level of detail. But be warned: you need to have MS-DOS with Qbasic to work with it.
23 G R E A T B O O K ! ! !
Well, I got this book when I was in about sixth grade when my friends seemed to be exploring BASIC, and I hadn't read it. I finally flipped through it in about 8th grade (last year) and it totally helped me! The person who said this was an insult to their intelligence obviously doesn't have much intelligence to spare. Don't listen to them! This book will teach you about basic programming. Then, if you decide to move on, all of the fundamentals are the same in BASIC as in most other computer languages! GREAT BOOK, MR. PERRY! I'm trying to get my hands on more of his books. This book, even if that one person says it's written at a sixth grade level, WHO CARES? Some people DON'T know about this stuff, and it was designed so that children who know about computers, and ARE the future programmers can understand it! I don't know how many times I'm going to say this, but GREAT BOOK!
24 A good book for a Programming Idiot!
I am a graphic designer who want to learn more programming ( use for web ). I find this book and try to read. Amazing, what a good book for a beginner, good basic concept for computer working status, Program Language development history and more. A A+++ book
25 great for newbie
I found this book fantastic. This is the way to go if you are new to programming. Some people may find this book to simple, but not in my case. Mr Perry doesn't go overboard with technical jargon. He starts from the very beginning and gives a lot of simple examples. I would give this book 10 stars, but that wasn't an option. I would also suggest "Beginning Programming for Dummies" by Wallace Wang.
26 It's time for another edition
I found the book very easy to follow. Speaking as someone who has been out of the programming realm since Assembler in college, I think Perry does well. I'm not much on the Perry Journey, but putting that aside, I felt I was able to move on knowing it was a benefit of my time. Good Job Perry.
A previous reader seemed insulted. After stating that he read just about every programming book there is, why revert to pure fundamentals. I give that reader No Stars and Perry 4.
27 This is one great beginner's book. Perry is a great teacher.
I've just finished chapter 8 of the book which teaches you the foundation of Qbasic and how to run your first program. Perry is a master teacher. Most people I've spoken to about programming languages seem more interested in confusing the hell out of me; I've never been this excited to learn something in a long time. Perry simplifies everything, making it accessable and easy to learn. I just can't say enough--if you didn't know whether you wanted to become a programmer or you wanted nothing to do with it from the beginning, just read this book and it will excite you to become one or help you understand why you don't want to be one. Great job, Perry!
28 This is a great book for begginers
This book teaches you nearly all of the commands in an easy simple to understand manner. I was a begginer and knew nothing at all about programing anything after this from my standpoint i knew alot
29 An insult to my intelligence and social standards
I read this book for a technical college course called "Computer Programming Principles". Perry insisted on writing it at about a 6th grade level. It was a big insult to my intelligence as being an aspiring computer programmer. What I found more insulting, was Perry's tribute to Rush Limbaugh in the front of the book. Rush Limbaugh is a huge biggot with nothing helpful to say. Why the author chooses to thank Mr. Limbaugh for his "excellence in broadcasting", has nothing to do with the book or the subject of computer programming. The book is now used as a paperweight and may be used as kindling to start a fire in my fireplace. This is about all it is good for.
30 PLEASE MR. PERRY!! MORE BOOKS!!!
After reading books on almost every computer language there is, and then some, Mr. Perry's style was a breath of fresh air. All too often technical writers, especially those in the computer languages, seem less interested in truly teaching concepts and more interested in impressing us with their empty jargon.
Mr. Perry, if you read this, PLEASE we could use somebody with your style in Java.
Nice work Mr. Perry and I highly recommend this book to anyone. (Many of those other computer language authors out there could use this as a "style manual"--a "how to" on writing to teach.)
31 excellent book
has great content. works perfectly. has a unique ability to guide you through every step. is non-cryptic. overall perfect learning tool.
32 Excellent Book for Beginners
I was considering taking three courses (217.50 a piece) at a local college to gain the knowledge represented in this book. Covering everything from paper (design) to code. It even mentions the testing/debugging process that programmer's follow to produce successful code.
33 Great overview!
I've been struggling in a job, trying to learn internet programming (JavaScript, Java, ASP, etc) - but I just wasn't "getting it" (having had no training at all in any programming language).
This book teaches the fundamentals (i.e.: what is a variable? what is an array? what is a subroutine?) and it also teaches you how to USE the fundamentals.
It's a great learning tool! Now I am figuring out ASP with no real problems...
34 Buy the book. I got more out of it than I thought possible.
An honest title that accomplishes it's goals and more. I recommend it highly. Glad this was my first book on programming.
35 Bravo!! Bravo!! Bravo!!
What a great book, especially for the beginner. The book answers the most important questions a beginner may have, and not in technical babble, but rather in a blunt and humorous manner. If you're looking for a book that will introduce you to the world of programming, I highly recommend you buy this book...it's worth every pennie. BRAVO!! BRAVO!! BRAVO!!
36 Bravo!! Bravo!! Bravo!!
What a great book, especially for the beginner. The book answers the most important questions a beginner may have, and not in technical babble, but rather in a blunt and humorous manner. If you're looking for a book that will introduce you to the world of programming, I highly recommend you buy this book...it's worth every pennie. BRAVO!! BRAVO!! BRAVO!!
37 The most complete and comprehensive guide to programming.
Whether you know absolutely nothing about programming (or computers) and want to navigate your way clearly throught the mess of material that is about you or even if programming is second nature to you, this would still put you in perspective and refresh your memory of the very basics. THE GREATEST THING I CAN TAKE AWAY FROM READING THIS BOOK IS THE THING I WAS LOOKING FOR; I KNOW MORE ABOUT WHICH PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE I WANT TO USE AND WHAT (THE NAME IS) OF THE JOB I WISH TO USE IT IN.
38 An excellent starting point for beginners!
I had bought a couple of books on basic programming for the PC that have taught the rules of the language but, not how to design a program. Lessons learned include flowcharting, pseudo code and program structure. A quick history on programming languages and there evolution (without choosing one over the other)gave me a good understanding of the programming feild. The last half of the book teaches QBASIC principles without getting to much into the depth of the language. My freind was starting a course in web page design and borrowed the book; I thought he would have it for a few weeks, he read it all in one night and then offered to buy the book from me,I sent him out to get his own copy!
39 Excellent for folks who don't understand programming!
I have taught people how to use computer software for years. Now communicating with our programmers isn't painful. I know how they are thinking and the exact information they need to know to write a program to suit our customers' needs. I can even write a few of my own programs!
40 What a terrific book!
From frustration of trying to read many other books about programming, getting bits here and there, I bought this book from the online reviews and the synopsis. Greg Perry puts it all together in very simple and understandable terms. I am excited about actually getting things to work and now have the skills I have been needing to do the programs I want. I feel ready now to start into the world of Visual Basic and C. Will be back to a great company who handled all my needs so very well. Thank you a million times. END
