advice on learning c++
by Jeff Highsmith · in General Discussion · 04/21/2002 (7:56 pm) · 14 replies
i know this is something i can research on my own, but i would appreciate the community's input. i've decided to bite the bullet, teach myself c++, and code my game.
i plan to make a mod consisting of weapons, vehicles, etc., ie use the code snippets and the forums :). then when i now a LOT more ill go to work under the hood. i have a standard textbook, and the compiler that comes with it, but i would like to know if anyone can recommend a primer that 1) makes C++ interesting 2)is written in clear english without unnecessary stories, jokes, analogies, etc. 3)is understandable to a complete non-programmer 4) is comprehensive and well organized.
or would learning c be better for modding?
i plan to make a mod consisting of weapons, vehicles, etc., ie use the code snippets and the forums :). then when i now a LOT more ill go to work under the hood. i have a standard textbook, and the compiler that comes with it, but i would like to know if anyone can recommend a primer that 1) makes C++ interesting 2)is written in clear english without unnecessary stories, jokes, analogies, etc. 3)is understandable to a complete non-programmer 4) is comprehensive and well organized.
or would learning c be better for modding?
About the author
#2
However keep in mind when any book says something to the effect of "Learn Visual C++" or "Teach yourself Visual C++" is that its more often then not going to be referring to learning the language and developing windows applications via MFC in later sections.
I would go with just a straight "Teach yourself C++" book instead of a "Teach yourself Visual C++" book imo.
04/21/2002 (9:13 pm)
Beginning Visual C++ 6 with Ivor HortonHowever keep in mind when any book says something to the effect of "Learn Visual C++" or "Teach yourself Visual C++" is that its more often then not going to be referring to learning the language and developing windows applications via MFC in later sections.
I would go with just a straight "Teach yourself C++" book instead of a "Teach yourself Visual C++" book imo.
#3
04/22/2002 (1:56 pm)
thanks. its hard to get a read from amazon's reviews, you never know whos posting. ill probably buy several, and pick the one i like best.
#4
Excellent primer (though there may be a few analogies and witty remarks, can't recall). He has a nice appendix which goes through the design and implementation of a not-so-simple program.
Then again, anything by Ivor Horton is usually pretty good. I have a couple of his other books, and I think he wrote one for C++ minus the Visual bit.
As an afterthought, I firmly believe you can never have too many books on a programming topic (you should see my Java shelf). Seems you can always glean something new from a few paragraphs because one author phrased it differently than another, or even pick up some coding tricks that another author didn't know or just didn't show you. Your idea of buying several books is probably the best bet.
04/22/2002 (9:19 pm)
Object Oriented Programing in C++ by Robert Lafore (Waite Group Press)Excellent primer (though there may be a few analogies and witty remarks, can't recall). He has a nice appendix which goes through the design and implementation of a not-so-simple program.
Then again, anything by Ivor Horton is usually pretty good. I have a couple of his other books, and I think he wrote one for C++ minus the Visual bit.
As an afterthought, I firmly believe you can never have too many books on a programming topic (you should see my Java shelf). Seems you can always glean something new from a few paragraphs because one author phrased it differently than another, or even pick up some coding tricks that another author didn't know or just didn't show you. Your idea of buying several books is probably the best bet.
#5
thanks again,
04/23/2002 (3:42 pm)
hehe, the requirement about fluff isnt hard and fast. its just that ive read some books for "dummies" on other subjects before, and theres so much digression i get annoyed very quickly. analogies are fine if they are to the point and NECESSARY. maybe they should change them from "for dummies" to "for newbies" :). i get the impression that finding a book that navigates the line between belaboring the point and going over the readers head is going to be difficult. i like the idea of building an app as you learn to program very much. to my mind, the perfect book would be "learn C++ by making a game", but that would be too perfect. i read some reviews of the OOc++ you mentioned and it might be too advanced.thanks again,
#6
Personally, I thought that book was a little rubbish. It made C++ look difficult to someone whos been doing C++ for a while.
The Sams books mentioned here are pretty good. Or perhaps they're just a little more compatible with my way of thinking.
04/23/2002 (4:04 pm)
Isn't Beginning Visual C++ 6 with Ivor Horton the book that comes with Visual C++ 6 Standard Edition?Personally, I thought that book was a little rubbish. It made C++ look difficult to someone whos been doing C++ for a while.
The Sams books mentioned here are pretty good. Or perhaps they're just a little more compatible with my way of thinking.
#7
04/24/2002 (9:16 am)
you know, you might be on to something there. it seems like any c++ book you research has glowing reviews right next to downright pans. maybe its just a matter of preference. now im really confused.
#8
You can read the electronic versions for free, though I reccommend you actually buy the paper version for that bathroom reading time *grin*
04/24/2002 (11:42 am)
Thinking in C++ by Bruce Eckel.You can read the electronic versions for free, though I reccommend you actually buy the paper version for that bathroom reading time *grin*
#9
by Oleg Yaroshenko
WROX Publishing
I taught myself everything about C++ with that, in just 2-3 weeks. I woke up, and for 3 hours, programmed every monday through friday, and at the end, I knew how to program C++. I had had no prior experience with anything. The book is thorough, laid out perfectly, with example programs for everything.
That's my recommendation, and if you have the time and dedication (things you are going to need with any book), I can almost guarentee you will be happy with that book.
04/24/2002 (11:57 am)
The Beginner's Guide to C++by Oleg Yaroshenko
WROX Publishing
I taught myself everything about C++ with that, in just 2-3 weeks. I woke up, and for 3 hours, programmed every monday through friday, and at the end, I knew how to program C++. I had had no prior experience with anything. The book is thorough, laid out perfectly, with example programs for everything.
That's my recommendation, and if you have the time and dedication (things you are going to need with any book), I can almost guarentee you will be happy with that book.
#10
04/24/2002 (12:02 pm)
ya, triging to learn soming from a book is fine for the very basics , but i realy dought it will help you for torque very much,,the besthing to do is get familar with the default torque, then start doing all the tuts provided on this site and learn what they do, and ill bet after you finish them tuts you will have a fairly good understanding of torque's c++ (and scripting)
#11
i think i have that, and thats what i started with a few weeks ago. i plan to use it again. if thats the one that starts with an explanation of bits, bytes, ram, hex, etc., and always has this confused woman's questions being answered (at least in the first few chapters), then i agree, b/c he has a pretty good teaching style. some holes in his explanations though.
josh
ill buy it, sounds like exactly what i need :)
ace
my sentiments exactly. i want to run through every tut and get every code snippet working i can, and learn as much by example as possible. but i do need a basic primer that doesnt leave any big parts of the language out.
thanks again all
edit for anyone else reading GG's C++ page
04/24/2002 (11:39 pm)
simoni think i have that, and thats what i started with a few weeks ago. i plan to use it again. if thats the one that starts with an explanation of bits, bytes, ram, hex, etc., and always has this confused woman's questions being answered (at least in the first few chapters), then i agree, b/c he has a pretty good teaching style. some holes in his explanations though.
josh
ill buy it, sounds like exactly what i need :)
ace
my sentiments exactly. i want to run through every tut and get every code snippet working i can, and learn as much by example as possible. but i do need a basic primer that doesnt leave any big parts of the language out.
thanks again all
edit for anyone else reading GG's C++ page
#12
you've got OOP down, pointers are second nature, and all data types are fine (lists, trees, stacks... you know, the usual deal).
I mean, I can use all of that to make a DOS program, but I don't know how to make a program with a GUI :\ I guess that's what I am after. But it seems that all the books that are on graphics are wwwaaayyy too advanced :\ :\ :\
any help would be great.
04/25/2002 (3:09 pm)
ok... what about an intermidiate programmer???you've got OOP down, pointers are second nature, and all data types are fine (lists, trees, stacks... you know, the usual deal).
I mean, I can use all of that to make a DOS program, but I don't know how to make a program with a GUI :\ I guess that's what I am after. But it seems that all the books that are on graphics are wwwaaayyy too advanced :\ :\ :\
any help would be great.
#13
04/29/2002 (11:45 am)
I personally like the SAM's teach yourself series. I used the C in 21 days along with my school text book in the past and Java in 21 days and they helped me out alot with some things that my text books didn't explain well. I have been reading the C++ version as of late and it is great too. I bought the dummy books too and I don't really like them. Too much analogy crap. Too specific on easy things and not enough on difficult things. Just my opinion.
#14
For graphics, I found the tutorials at gametutorials.com to be quite good. I haven't found anything that explains DX to my satisfaction yet, so I'm sticking to OpenGL ;)
04/29/2002 (4:26 pm)
Once I had the basics understood, I started to sort through the web-articles. The same as someone said with the books - someone phrases something differently, or uses a new trick.For graphics, I found the tutorials at gametutorials.com to be quite good. I haven't found anything that explains DX to my satisfaction yet, so I'm sticking to OpenGL ;)
Torque Owner Vashner
and Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 21 days.
Randy...