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View Full Version : New to Delphi - Book recomendations.



JesterDev
07-11-2002, 12:03 AM
I just moved over to Delphi after working with VB.NET. And I'm really looking for some good books to get me started. Not that there's any books for new delphi programmers about making games.. But just general reccomendations.

BlueCat
07-11-2002, 12:36 AM
This (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0672321157/qid=1036628730/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2_2/026-2083948-3047628) book looks like it might be what you're after. Also try this book (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1556226578/qid=1036628578/sr=1-23/ref=sr_1_2_23/026-2083948-3047628) for OpenGL and this one (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1556226373/qid=1036628578/sr=1-27/ref=sr_1_2_27/026-2083948-3047628) for games programming and 2D graphics in DirectX. Those last two are a liitle old now, but worth a look. I can't recommend them as I don't own them but I hope this helps

Xorcist
07-11-2002, 06:04 AM
Delphi Graphics and Gaming Programming Exposed is a really good book. Even though it mainly covers DirectX, it's a great book for beginners as it covers a lot of good material.

You also might want to check out Delphi in a Nutshell and or Learn Object Pascal With Delphi. The first is a great Delphi reference and the second is basically an intro course for the Pascal language (very light on the Object side of things though).

Bobby
07-11-2002, 06:08 AM
Hi, I like the "Mastering Delphi" series.... always been a big help to me.

Alimonster
07-11-2002, 09:01 AM
I'd recommend "Mastering Delphi 6" by Marco CantA1. It's huge and it covers pretty much everything (and as such, it's a handy weapon to defeat burglers, dropping it on their heads).

Delphi in a Nutshell is good for reference since it contains lots of insider info (e.g. the RTTI details), but it can be a bit frightening. It does assume a fair grasp of the language beforehand, IMO.

There are some other ones online. There's a SAMS book, Teach Yourself Borland Delphi 4 in 21 Days (http://www.cesis.lv/learn/delphi/). It can't hurt to have a look at it since it's free. Marco CantA1 has a couple on his site, Essential Pascal (http://www.marcocantu.com/epascal/default.htm) and Essential Delphi (http://www.marcocantu.com/edelphi/default.htm).

Useless Hacker
07-11-2002, 02:41 PM
I also like Delphi in a Nutshell (http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/delphi/). Personally I can't stand these 'Learn XYZ in 21 days/24 hours' books. I think they're probably fine if you've never done any programming before, but if you have, a book like the aforementioned is much more helpful.

Zanthos
08-11-2002, 10:07 PM
I prefer the nanosecond series, "Multiple Inheritance in 24 nanoseconds" is my favourite :evil:

Seriously... :) I have Mastering Delphi 3 and TOTWGPG, and they've both served me well so far :) (its my birthday in a week so I also need to put orders in for some new books :)) Marco Cantu is a good author and I would suggest buying one of his books :)

* waits for the transfer to his bank account *

Stevie56
09-11-2002, 12:23 PM
I tend to agree, if you know how to program, and are familiar with IDE's, then a good reference is Delphi in a Nutshell.

The xxxx in 21 Days books tend to be for those who are unfamiliar with programming, the language under discussion or the IDE (pick any one of 3).

For depth with examples, the Nutshell series is one of the best.