Learning C++

X-SL

(move this if not in right place)

I got a book on C++ awhile ago. haven't picked it up yet. Is it easy to learn? (might be a stupid question but I am curious). I don't know any other programming languages. The book assumes that the reader has no proir knowledge of anything.

Another stupid question, but how long does it take to learn C++, I mean the .basics and understanding.

aidan_walsh

For future reference, we have a Programming board.

I got a book on C++ awhile ago. haven't picked it up yet. Is it easy to learn? (might be a stupid question but I am curious). I don't know any other programming languages. The book assumes that the reader has no proir knowledge of anything.

Thats a good way to start. The next thing you have to do is get yourself a compiler, open Notepad (do not use an IDE to start, you'll be far better off learning the basics manually before you go into a hand-holding environment like that) and start testing with what you read about.

how long does it take to learn C++, I mean the .basics and understanding.

There is no way to tell. All I can say is that (like anything else) it is entirely dependant on how much work work you are willing to put into it. The more you do, the quicker you will pick it up.

Cake Fiend

X-SL wrote:

Is it easy to learn?

Depends on the person learning. If you have a logical mind, you should be fine. You'll be flummoxed by a lot of things at the beginning (pointers, multi-dimensional arrays, memory management, objects...) but once you get the hang of it and get a bit of practice under your belt, it'll all make sense. The best way to get good at programming is (funnily enough) to do a lot of programming, so hopefully your book will have lots of exercise programs.

X-SL wrote:

how long does it take to learn C++, I mean the .basics and understanding.

You can learn the basics in a couple of days if you're motivated, but it'll take months or years of solid project programming to get 'good' at real programming. But once you've dipped your toe in the sea of hacking, it's relatively easy to learn another language (most modern languages are based on or inspired by C[++] anyway). Also, the relatively low-level knowledge that comes with C[++] will stand to you if you move to Java or some such.

joe_chicken

The 3 most important things about C/C++:
Pointers pointers and pointers...

these confused the hell outta me for ages... mainly because they were so badly taught

if you understand them - arrays and memory managment will become considerably easier

It was the first language I learnt and the basics were fairly easy to pick up...

most beginners (including myself) have problems with compiling and building code

What compiler/environment are you using?
Don't expect it all to work first time, you have to put some effort into the setup

aidan_walsh wrote:

...far better off learning the basics manually...

Agreed

get the free borland compiler off their site and use that with notepad to edit your files.

If you can set that up and use it properly you shouldnt have a problem with most other environments

X-SL

the compiler that came with the book (on the cd ) is Dev-C++

wait, that's a "fully featured C++ environment"

projectmayhem

you can get some text editors like TextPad and the like that look like slightly cooler versions of notepad, but you can compile and run c++ (or java etc.) through them. that's what i use anyway

Cake Fiend

X-SL wrote:

the compiler that came with the book (on the cd ) is Dev-C++

wait, that's a "fully featured C++ environment"

Ah, just lash a couple of progs through a command-line compiler a few times to get the feel for it, then carry on with Dev-C++ (nice IDE that). Chances are if you're ever in the position that you have only a CLI to compile with, you'll either know or be able to find out how to compile under it.

X-SL

cool thanks

Call Me Jimmy

im interested in c++ also for modding old q2 engine games like kingpin, im wondering is it much different to java?

i just finished my first semester using java and i found i picked it up very well.

would it be hard for me to get good enough at c++ to mod for a 3d game?

Karoma

CMJ:

http://www.cs.brown.edu/courses/cs123/javatoc.shtml

Call Me Jimmy

thanks interesting stuff . . .

Cake Fiend

Heh, I'd rather be going the other way, but learning C++ will probably help your Java skills and understanding (and will let you appreciate the ease of it even more!).

Call Me Jimmy

out of curiosity is there anyone on boards who has programmed for 3d games before? like a mod or something? just wondering if it is hard to apply the knowledge to games or whatever

projectmayhem

i haven't (yet, no time), but if you have half life 2, you can get the SDK through steam and mess around through the valve "hammer" editor. there's some good resources for it

Call Me Jimmy

what program would one use to compile .c files into .dlls for games?

Karoma

Call Me Jimmy wrote:

what program would one use to compile .c files into .dlls for games?

http://www.cygwin.com/cygwin-ug-net/dll.html
Hope this helps. Each compiler should have a similar command.