Starting Programming

[Martin]

It's not as bad as it looks, Fevian. Keep in mind that all of the words in capital letters are defined (by Windows) outside of that class. If you had a list of what they all actually meant, the code isn't so bad.

[abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxy]

Use .NET for GUI applications. Download C# express edition for free. Google it. Then you will see how easy it is to make a GUI. (It's almost like paint, you just click and drag.)

[haskell]

Express editions aren't that great. Use SharpDevelop2. Its open source, and its really awesome.

It doesn't get any easier than with resources and the switch statement... The resource script is made automatically in a Visual Resource editor(and depending on the editor, the resourse header with the object IDs), which is drag and drop, and then you just make the code to handle the messages.

When someone says they are learning C++, they probably aren't going to be too interested in C# and .NET. There are huge fundamental differences between them, and learning one won't help you learn the other(a lot of unlearning and relearning). It is a good idea to expand and try all sorts of new things, hell, if you become a programmer, you probably will have to use .NET at some point. But, it doesn't really fit in with the whole, I wanna do GUIs in C++ thing.

[Fevian]

Okay. Say I wanted to start off making some basic apps and then wanted to make a simple game or something. What program or programs would I need to do both? Mind you, they can be two different ones.

[wtd]

Well, the realk question here should probably be:

Do you want to learn C++, or do you just want a means to an end?

If it's the former, you can almost certainly learn better idiomatic C++ by writing console apps, rather than GUI apps.

If it's the latter, there are easier ways to achieve that than C++.

[Fevian]

How is easier? especially for games. I really wanna make some simple games or get more advanced into it as well.

[wtd]

C++ is a big, complex, scary language. This doesn't mean you shouldn't learn it if you want to, but if it's not what you really want, it's likely to discourage you.

If you want to make games, and have no problem with being tied to a Microsoft-specific environment, I suggest checking out Tony's blog (compsci.ca/blog) for info on XNA.

[haskell]

Yeah... I wouldn't recommend anything until you learn the language. If you don't know a language, nor its standard libraries, than you are basically unable to do anything useful, or anywhere near the calibur I think you are thinking.

Programming(especially in languages made for professionals) is not one of those, "Hmmm... I think want to do <enter task here> so I can be <enter title here> and have <enter quantity and object>, and I want it fast, although I am a novice."

No, I'm not trying to stop your from programming, if anything I'd encourage it. But there is something that you should probably read:

Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years by Peter Norvig

Keep it in prespective. Set goals within your range, then dive in.

[klopyrev]

I need to learn C++ for a programming competition that is in 3 or so months. Can anyone recommend a good book to start on? I need a book that focuses on Algorithmic Programming and quickly goes over the basic syntax, data types, functions, etc. I don't need a book that goes in depth on GUI and such. I have four books: "C++ Primer" by Stanley B. Lippman and Josee Lajoie, "C++ Primer Plus" by Stephen Prata, "C++ How To" by Kalev, Tobler and Walter, et Al, and "Object-Oriented Programming in C++" by Robert Lafore. I think the first two are pretty good, but I just can't choose which one. If anyone has any other books they can recommend or know something about these books, please share your knowledge.

KL

[haskell]

C++ How to Program, 5th Edition.

Its a Deitel book, so it covers the fundamentals and then some. Its a great way to spend your first XX number of C++ hours.

And, so you can make up your own mind about this partcular book:

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers, the Internet and World Wide Web

Chapter 2: Introduction to C++ Programming

Chapter 3: Introduction to Classes and Objects

And also by Deitel:

Introduction to the Standard Template Library

The best advice is just to read around the bookstore(or library). Look for something at your level, then go for it.

[Martin]

wtd @ Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:35 wrote:

If you want to make games, and have no problem with being tied to a Microsoft-specific environment, I suggest checking out Tony's blog (compsci.ca/blog) for info on XNA.

Okay, who are you and what did you do with wtd?

[wtd]

I killed him and stole his identity. Do you want to be next?

But seriously, the OP seemed to have no inclination toward cross-platformedness, and seems fixated on gaming. Microsoft + Gaming + Friendly to Novices =~ XNA.

[Fevian]

Yeah. I'd really like to be proficient in C++ and some other languages, including some things I could do to make games. If whatever this XNA thing is for Microsoft that is for games apparently, I guess it's worth looking in to? Any explanation of what it is. Btw, I have no intention of rushing. I will keep perspective, but I'd really like to know anything about programming, including languages, usages, and other stuff. Any info you can give me, give me. Aight, thanks.