# Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup

2 Hacker News commenters recommended Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup and 0 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 2 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** People recommend it as an introduction to programming in C++, and say it helps readers understand how computers really work.

## Why people recommend it

- Good introduction to programming in C++ (1 comments): "Read Bjarne Stroustrup's intro to programming book and then read other books." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48256229))
- Explains how computers really work (1 comments): "they will help you understand "how computers really work"" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48405446))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs by Abelson and Sussman](https://hackerapproved.com/p/structure-and-interpretation-of-computer-programs.md): 55 recommend
- [The Art of Computer Programming by Donald E. Knuth](https://hackerapproved.com/p/art-of-computer-programming.md): 28 recommend
- [Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs by Abelson and Sussman](https://hackerapproved.com/p/sicp.md): 12 recommend
- [Quantum Computation and Quantum Information by Nielsen and Chuang](https://hackerapproved.com/p/quantum-computation-and-quantum-information.md): 12 recommend
- [Digital Design and Computer Architecture by Harris and Harris](https://hackerapproved.com/p/digital-design-and-computer-architecture.md): 8 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0138308624?tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org/a/130825/9780138308629) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup", https://hackerapproved.com/p/programming-principles-and-practice-using-c-plus-plus/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).