www.digitalmars.com         C & C++   DMDScript  

digitalmars.D.learn - Programming in D vs The D Programming Language

reply gour <gour atmarama.com> writes:
Hello,

after quite some time I'm returning to D being fed up with some 
other languages to become more ready for writing open-source 
multi-platform desktop app(s)...

I already own copy of Andrei's The D Programming Language book, 
but never went fully through it, but I see in the meantime 
Programming in D by Ali was released so I wonder:

a) how much is Andrei's book still relevant?

b) whether PiD is recommended one to start with D *today* ?

Btw, I prefer hardcopy books, if possible, and interested whether 
there is plan to release PiD with hardcover since several 
reviewers  Amazon reported that the glued used to bind the book 
is not the best*


Sincerely,
Gour
Mar 13 2016
next sibling parent _d0s_ <oggs gmx.at> writes:
On Sunday, 13 March 2016 at 16:27:07 UTC, gour wrote:

 Hello,

 after quite some time I'm returning to D being fed up with some 
 other languages to become more ready for writing open-source 
 multi-platform desktop app(s)...

 I already own copy of Andrei's The D Programming Language book, 
 but never went fully through it, but I see in the meantime 
 Programming in D by Ali was released so I wonder:

 a) how much is Andrei's book still relevant?

 b) whether PiD is recommended one to start with D *today* ?

 Btw, I prefer hardcopy books, if possible, and interested 
 whether there is plan to release PiD with hardcover since 
 several reviewers  Amazon reported that the glued used to bind 
 the book is not the best*


 Sincerely,
 Gour


b) i prefer this one :)
http://ddili.org/ders/d.en/
Mar 13 2016
prev sibling parent reply =?UTF-8?Q?Ali_=c3=87ehreli?= <acehreli yahoo.com> writes:
On 03/13/2016 09:27 AM, gour wrote:


 a) how much is Andrei's book still relevant?


You may find that D has changed since TDPL was printed but it's still a 
great read. In some places it explains tradeoffs in language design in 
general.


 b) whether PiD is recommended one to start with D *today* ?


PiD starts as a tutorial to novices but can also be used a D language 
(not Phobos) reference because it includes virtually everything. (There 
are exceptions e.g. __ctor and friends are not mentioned at all.)

Best thing for you to do is to check out PiD first before deciding to 
buy. The PDF file is exactly the same as the printed version:

   http://ddili.org/ders/d.en/


 plan to release PiD with hardcover


There is a hardcover edition:

   978-0-692-59943-3


 since several reviewers  Amazon reported that the glued used to
 bind the book is not the best*


I found the quality of the softcover by CreateSpace pretty good in 
general but there was one copy that was trimmed unacceptable crooked. 
However, I've never seen one with a bad glue. I think this is due to 
different regional printers: Perhaps the printers that shipped to my 
address (Bay Area, California) were better. (?)

On the other hand, the hardcover edition that I have has a different 
kind of binding issue: The long rectangular spine piece is too narrow. 
(I've heard this from a reader as well.) I presume the paper used by the 
printer has gotten thicker over time, presumably still within spec, but 
the template that they give to the cover designer is still for thinner 
paper. (?) The end result is a book that doesn't fit inside that narrow 
spine piece well. :-/

I've gone all the trouble to also publish with IngramSpark and gave the 
book stores a very big discount just so that users could return their 
books. How about order your copy through your local book store and see 
how it looks and whether the return process is pleasant. (If not, I'll 
buy you dinner in Berlin at DConf. ;) )

Ali
Mar 13 2016
parent reply =?utf-8?B?U2HFoWEgSmFuacWha2E=?= <gour atmarama.com> writes:
Ali Çehreli <acehreli yahoo.com> writes:


 You may find that D has changed since TDPL was printed but it's still
 a great read. In some places it explains tradeoffs in language design
 in general.


Yeah, I like, based on what I've seen some portions which explains
'why'.


 PiD starts as a tutorial to novices but can also be used a D language
 (not Phobos) reference because it includes virtually everything.


Great!


 I found the quality of the softcover by CreateSpace pretty good in
 general but there was one copy that was trimmed unacceptable crooked.
 However, I've never seen one with a bad glue.


Have you seen this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1WWT9EIV3UDI0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0692599436


 On the other hand, the hardcover edition that I have has a different
 kind of binding issue: The long rectangular spine piece is too narrow.


Hmm...that's strange as well...


 I presume the paper used by the printer has gotten thicker over time,
 presumably still within spec, but the template that they give to the
 cover designer is still for thinner paper. (?) The end result is a
 book that doesn't fit inside that narrow spine piece well. :-/


I was publishing hardcover books so I know what are you talking about.

Otoh, if I'd put paperback in hardcover at some local shop. it would
cost me additional $10  - almost the price difference, but I might think
about it since the end result might be better. (btw, I also put Andrei's
book in hardcover and the end result is superb.)


 I've gone all the trouble to also publish with IngramSpark and gave
 the book stores a very big discount just so that users could return
 their books. How about order your copy through your local book store
 and see how it looks and whether the return process is pleasant.


Well, I'm from Croatia and the D is too unpopular here, so there is no
way to find the book in the local store.

Anyway, thank you for additional info about book production and its
quality, so I can have proper decision what to buy.

(If not, I'll buy you dinner in Berlin at DConf. ;) )

Thank you for an invitation - I'm not sure I'll make it, but, at least,
I'm happy to be back to D and your book is one of the reasons. ;)


Sincerely,
Gour

-- 
From wherever the mind wanders due to its flickering and unsteady
nature, one must certainly withdraw it and bring it back under
the control of the self.
Mar 13 2016
parent reply =?UTF-8?Q?Ali_=c3=87ehreli?= <acehreli yahoo.com> writes:
On 03/13/2016 02:40 PM, Saša Janiška wrote:


 quality of the softcover by CreateSpace





 Have you seen this one:

 


http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1WWT9EIV3UDI0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0692599436

Yes, I had seen that one. It is unfortunate... :-/


 I've gone all the trouble to also publish with IngramSpark and gave
 the book stores a very big discount just so that users could return
 their books. How about order your copy through your local book store
 and see how it looks and whether the return process is pleasant.


 Well, I'm from Croatia and the D is too unpopular here, so there is no
 way to find the book in the local store.


I agree and I doubt that I will ever see PinD on a local bookshop shelf. 
What I meant was, IngramSpark makes it *possible* at all for a local 
bookshop to order the book for you and that you can return it for a full 
refund.

The differences are:

* Because they boycot CreateSpace due to its affiliation with Amazon, a 
local bookstore will not store books printed by CreateSpace. This is 
because the wholesale discount is too little from CreateSpace and local 
book stores do not agree with certain practices of Amazon's book business.

* They will still order for you a book by CreateSpace only if you pay up 
front and if you understand that the book is not returnable. (Because 
CreateSpace books are simply not returnable.) On the other hand, if the 
local book store orders the book from IngramSpark, then you need not 
prepay and you (and the bookstore) can return it.

So, I really think that your local bookstore will order one of the 
IngramSpark printing. And you will not pay for customs or shipping.


 dinner in Berlin at DConf. ;) )


 Thank you for an invitation - I'm not sure I'll make it


11 hours by car to Berlin seems a little long for you but there must be 
trains in Europe. ;) I hope you and many others can make it. So many 
good friends here...

Ali
Mar 13 2016
parent =?utf-8?B?U2HFoWEgSmFuacWha2E=?= <gour atmarama.com> writes:
Ali Çehreli <acehreli yahoo.com> writes:


 I agree and I doubt that I will ever see PinD on a local bookshop
 shelf. What I meant was, IngramSpark makes it *possible* at all for a
 local bookshop to order the book for you and that you can return it
 for a full refund.


Now I'm living in much smaller place and will ask about the possibilities
to order, although I remember when I was living in the capital (Zagreb),
ordering from the shop ended up as double expensive in comparison with
e.g. Amazon order.


 * Because they boycot CreateSpace due to its affiliation with Amazon,
 a local bookstore will not store books printed by CreateSpace. This is
 because the wholesale discount is too little from CreateSpace and
 local book stores do not agree with certain practices of Amazon's book
 business.


I'm also not excited with the their business behaviour, but, otoh, do
not have much choices except using some other online retailer.


 * They will still order for you a book by CreateSpace only if you pay
 up front and if you understand that the book is not returnable.
 (Because CreateSpace books are simply not returnable.)


Ahh, I se..


 On the other hand, if the local book store orders the book from
 IngramSpark, then you need not prepay and you (and the bookstore) can
 return it.


I'm just curious if the above applies here. ;)


 So, I really think that your local bookstore will order one of the
 IngramSpark printing. And you will not pay for customs or shipping.


It sounds good, although I'm taking it with pinch of salt until I check
it out.


 11 hours by car to Berlin seems a little long for you but there must
 be trains in Europe. ;)


There are nice trains in Europe, but poor connections in Croatia.


 I hope you and many others can make it. So many good friends here...


There are other circumstances to overcome (taking care of our small
daughter, while wife is working at emergency and you might heard there
is lack of doctors here and they have to work extra hours etc.)

However, let me thank you for the book which I know, from personal
epxerience, is always a labour of love and cannot be properly paid back,
but, at least, be happy that it created one new (old) user. ;)


Sincerely,
Gour

p.s. I'll inform you about my decision from where to get the book.

-- 
Bewildered by the modes of material nature, the ignorant fully
engage themselves in material activities and become attached. But
the wise should not unsettle them, although these duties are inferior
due to the performers' lack of knowledge.
Mar 14 2016