This long-awaited update to Rick Mercer’s introductory book, first published in 1993, is designed for students embarking on their first Computer Science course using the C++ programming language. Whether students are new to programming or possess experience in another language, this book provides a solid foundation.
Computing Fundamentals with C++, 3rd Edition emphasizes core computing fundamentals while acknowledging the importance of object-oriented programming. Drawing upon decades of experience, this book reflects careful consideration of how to optimize student learning in introductory computer science, effectively integrate objects and classes, and adequately prepare students for subsequent courses. The approach ensures a smooth transition for students as they progress in their computer science education.
What’s New in This Third Edition?
This third edition features significantly improved programming projects, designed to be more engaging and challenging. These projects have been developed and rigorously tested in the classroom at the University of Arizona, ensuring their pedagogical value and relevance.
To better align with CS1 curriculum standards, chapters on inheritance, object-oriented programming and design, operator overloading, and recursion have been strategically removed. In their place, select topics from CS2, such as generic collections with templates, have been incorporated to broaden the scope of the material.
Furthermore, this edition includes relevant modern additions to C++, such as the nullptr literal, enhancing the book's compatibility with current industry practices and promoting best practices in C++ coding.
About the Author
Rick Mercer is Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at University of Arizona.
