How much experience is needed to...

[Geostigma]

How much experience do you need of c++ to tackle openGL or SDL? I was reading the OpenGL tut be NeHe and I understand how it works but how much of c++ should you know before getting really involved with openGL before starting to program little games and such?

[wtd]

You need no experience in C++. You do need to understand C.

[Mazer]

Ignoring the graphics API, you'll need a very good understanding of the programming language (and general concepts of programming) before you can start making a game. You'll also need experience with the API before you can start making games with it.

I can't quantify how much experience you need, just keep learning until you're sure that you can apply what you know to making a game. THEN keep learning some more, because you won't be ready yet.

[Geostigma]

wtd @ Sun May 20, 2007 11:59 pm wrote:

You need no experience in C++. You do need to understand C.

Really... That makes it a little more complicated.. What about Direct X? is that C++ oriented?

EDIT: Direct X is definatily C++/c/c# compatible but shouldn't I be able to adapt C++ and downgrade it to C?

[haskell]

No, DirectX isn't C++ oriented.

[Mazer]

Geostigma @ Mon May 21, 2007 10:00 am wrote:

wtd @ Sun May 20, 2007 11:59 pm wrote:

You need no experience in C++. You do need to understand C.

Really... That makes it a little more complicated.. What about Direct X? is that C++ oriented?

EDIT: Direct X is definatily C++/c/c# compatible but shouldn't I be able to adapt C++ and downgrade it to C?

You can use C++. wtd was saying that these APIs were written in C. You can use C libraries in C++ but they aren't using any of the C++ features themselves. For the record, you can use all of the above mentioned APIs in languages other than C and C++.

[wtd]

You're asking fo trouble, though, if you operate under the assumption that C++ is a perfect superset of C.

If you try to write OpenGL or SDL code with a C++ compiler, then you not only need to know C, but you also need to be intimately familiar with the ways in which C++ is not perfectly backwards-compatible with C.

[Geostigma]

I miss Turing. Well then its a case of playing around with everything then because trial and error is the only way to get anywhere. Ill stick to openGL and I'm not expecting to make something amazing. I have a feeling I'll have to end up buying a laptop so I can have Microsoft Visual Studio because there is a large emphasis on using that for compiling then the free ones all over the internet.

[wtd]

Visual Studio is no better for working with OpenGL or SDL than GCC. And you can use GCC and a decent OS if you want. You can't do that with VS.

And we are not trying to discourage you, or saying we will not offer assistance, but you do need to go into such an endeavor with your eyes open.

[Geostigma]

My eyes are pretty wide open. I'm just mad at the fact that this is soo much more complicated to switch from command prompt to something that draws pictures. Its great how powerful C++ is but you can make a lot of mistakes that are half unforgiving or just wtf moments.

Also this is why I'm asking questions to right? I know nothing about openGL or direct X and I'm not expecting to be an amazing programmer over night.

[wtd]

Yes, graphics in C are not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach.

Have you considered looking at my Squeak Smalltalk Whirlwind? Squeak is a full graphical environment with a huge library, and Smalltalk is a fantastically simple programming language.

[Geostigma]

No I haven't but I'm starting to enjoy openGL now that I can grasp some concepts and make things work. So little gives so much hope.

[DIIST]

Anyone here heard of cario graphics API?

[wtd]

If you mean [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo_(graphics)]Cairo[/url], then yes.