Does anyone here know c++?

[smallharmlesskitten]

hey guys.

does anyone here, preferably in australia or new zealand know c++

or failing that a good online tutor that will let me create games

thanks

 

[stompy]

Nope, but I hope you know C. From what I've heard, C++ is difficult to learn if you know C, and nearly impossible if you don't...

"Programming in C is like shooting yourself in the foot: its hard, and it there won't be too much damage. But, C++ is like using a shotgun: it's harder, but you'll blow your leg off"

 

[PaintChips]

Nope, but I hope you know C. From what I've heard, C++ is difficult to learn if you know C, and nearly impossible if you don't...

What? I only took rudimentary courses in a few programming languages, but C++ didn't seem any more difficult than anything else. Then again, I'm no programmer, so I wouldn't know for sure.

 

[Fire Daemon]

Alas I do not but It seems like you reallyw ant to make a game. I have a fiend who has made part of a game by himself and it honestly does rival Counter Strike Graphicly wise. So don't give up hope, anyone can mak a game.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

There is a book called 'C++ for Game Programming' or something like that. It comes with a CD. It's currently gathering dust on my shelf because I keep telling myself I really need to learn it and never do.

 

[Doug]

Nope, but I hope you know C. From what I've heard, C++ is difficult to learn if you know C, and nearly impossible if you don't...

"Programming in C is like shooting yourself in the foot: its hard, and it there won't be too much damage. But, C++ is like using a shotgun: it's harder, but you'll blow your leg off"

Incorrect - C and C++ are very closely related (As the names suggest), and C++ is effectively C with a few extra bits bolted on.

Now, as for the poster, maybe you can try www.gamedev.net, as I've found them useful for learning 3D programming before. Personally, I don't think C/C++ are hard to learn, although they are harder than Visual Basic (which is only really suitable for prototype/mock-up work).

However, if your programming for a desktop machine, you might want to look at Java - it has a similar syntax to C/C++ but is easier to code for 'windows type' Operating systems, although it maybe alittle slower when the program is run.

As for editor, try Eclipse - Visual Studio is good, but its not the end all and be all of IDE's, and Eclipse is free with versions for C++, Java, and a few more languages. I do wish you luck, programming a game is tough but you'll get there one day if you stick at it.

 

[stompy]

Incorrect - C and C++ are very closely related (As the names suggest), and C++ is effectively C with a few extra bits bolted on.

I've never programmed for C or C++ (stupid computer teacher just getting us to do Crocodile ICT...), but that's what I've heard. Thanks for the correction. Though, that quote is something I've heard somewhere, though I can;t remember quite where...

 

[Elim Garak]

Dude, Java is the sux! Not to mention that it is an awkward language, slow as hell, and is dying on the vine in many ways. C# would be a much alternative IMHO - it is closely related to the other languages, but is managed, and therefore harder to screw up in. Not to mention that it has tons of support, decent documentation, and a much more stable IDE (than Netbeans - don't ask).

Anyways, look on bittorrent - tons of C++ programming books there. While learning C/C++ draw pictures. They are the easiest way to visualize the pointer-object relationships.

Start simple, with strings and arrays. Write your own implementation of string library functions - concatenation, search, string/character replacement, etc. These are very common in interview questions.

Then, when you can write the string functions in your sleep, move up to linked lists and stacks. Write a double-linked list, and then a vector. Add functionality, and make sure you know how they work backwards and forwards. These pop up on interviews a lot as well.

Third stage would be to play with classes. Inheritance, interfaces (abstract pure virtual classes in C++), multiple inheritance. Pops up very rarely, but it will force you to really learn what is going on there.

Finally, the fourth stage would be COM. Once again, start simple by creating basic COM objects, implementing standard interfaces...

Crap, sorry, I am venting - taught C/C++ for a while (second job - drinking money), but now I am stuck with intro to programming with javascript.

 

[The Franco]

I know some guys in the computer science sector of the engineering building, and from what they say Java is like C with training wheels. This is a second person relation of the ease of Java, so don't turn me into a pariah if Java is actually next to impossible.

My major made me take a C programming class which I thought was pretty fun since I thought of every project as a giant puzzle. But on the whole it was pretty much a lesson in frustration for a whole day while at a computer lab, then a moment of realization, followed by 2 hours of frantic coding, then another hour of debugging the stupid fucking scanf command. Every single thing that has ever been wrong with a program I submitted for grading is an issue with not verifying the right information, but that's neither here nor there. But the sum of the whole situation is that I learned programming sucks when you do it by yourself, as any problem is made a hundred times more simple when someone else checks over your program. With that said, sadly I'm in the states and the furthest I've gotten is how to make programs to do my bullshit menial tasks for me, such as circuit analysis etc. It'll be damn good when I', working on a senior project, but it's way not enough to build together a game.

When someone in my calc class told me that C was a cool language to learn because WoW and other games use it to code their games, my first thought was "You can use C to make a game? Since when can it make graphics? How come I never learned this? Wait, shit, vector formulas. Yeah screw that, I'll stick with building guitars and stuff."

So unless you want to hear anecdotes on my lackluster programming skills, I'm pretty much worthless. And besides, C and C++ are completely different things.

 

[Doug]

Dude, Java is the sux! Not to mention that it is an awkward language, slow as hell, and is dying on the vine in many ways. C# would be a much alternative IMHO - it is closely related to the other languages, but is managed, and therefore harder to screw up in. Not to mention that it has tons of support, decent documentation, and a much more stable IDE (than Netbeans - don't ask).

C# is microsofts attempt to copy Java's virtual machine form of translation. Whilst I agree Java is abit awkward in some ways, I doubt C# is truly at machine-independent language. That said, I haven't tried C#, so it could well be 'da bomb' so to speak, but I do sigh whenever microsoft rip stuff off and try and act like they invented it.

Anyway, to answer Franco, yes, thats about right - Java is like C++ with training wheels, although its alittle more involved than that in the real.

Crap, sorry, I am venting - taught C/C++ for a while (second job - drinking money), but now I am stuck with intro to programming with javascript.

Ah, not so good - although Javascript is abit different from Java (proper Java), I think.

 

[Elim Garak]

C# is microsofts attempt to copy Java's virtual machine form of translation. Whilst I agree Java is abit awkward in some ways, I doubt C# is truly at machine-independent language. That said, I haven't tried C#, so it could well be 'da bomb' so to speak, but I do sigh whenever microsoft rip stuff off and try and act like they invented it.

You are probably right about the inception of C# - but that doesn't mean that it is worse than Java. And it doesn't really try to be machine independent that hard. A version of it is available for Windows Mobile, the 360, and there are several efforts going on right now to port it to Linux, but from what I know they haven't gotten very far yet.

Don't care who invented it, but it is a better attempt. Instead of trying to be everything to everybody, C# sacrifices portability to performance and interoperability with Windows-based unmanaged code. The thing is that IMHO it is a much cleaner and freer language, closer to C++ in syntax, and thanks to its comprehensive code library and interoperability with Windows APIs, more powerful.

I could be a bit biased since I wrote some documentation for a couple of C# namespaces, but having worked with both Java and C#, and experienced the pain of developing on Java, I much prefer C#.

Ah, not so good - although Javascript is abit different from Java (proper Java), I think.

Oh, totally different - I just meant it is dead boring. If Java is C++ on training wheels, Javascript is Java on training wheels. Only one variable type (var), barely any classes, etc. It is a scripting language for HTML, and not designed for anything more complex than that.

 

[jezz8me]

C++ for dummies get it. The for dummies series has a great simple way of describing everything and personally i am a fan of them.

 

[EnzoHonda]

All the stuff listed above is why I dropped my programming class in highschool, avoided it in University, and decided to put my creativity into (attempted) novel writing. Halfway through grade 11 I realized that I want to play games, not make them. I'd spend 20 hours to make a program that allows you to do something like make a shopping list (yeah, waaay better than using a pen).

Anyway, I'd say that the suggestions people have given you are good. I'd really recommend taking a course somewhere. Something that forces you to sit there for hours with an assignment that has a deadline. If you love it, great. Dive in 100% If not, move on to something else. You can't be half-assed about learning to program (at least I couldn't).

 

[Weaver]

hey guys.

does anyone here, preferably in australia or new zealand know c++

or failing that a good online tutor that will let me create games

thanks

Hi Kitten, I'm a professional programmer, and I've written some small games in my time. If you want to crack a shot at an independent game you have a few options.

1) Learn C++ and Direct X. This would be nearly impossible without some books or good tutorials. Direct X is a very complicated library and is not really that great to code in. There's lots of loopholes you have to jump though.

2)Use a library like XNA, SDL, or something else. SDL is called Sample Direct Media Layer, and is a library built on top of C++ for the sole purpose of game development. It's pretty nice, I have a book on it.

XNA is Microsoft's game development toolset basically. You'll be coding in C#, but it's really easy to use quite frankly. I just started using C# 4 months ago because I got a job in the RFID market and the software used it. It's not bad, I don't know why everyone hates it.

3) Just code out your own engine from scratch. This will be hard, regardless of the language you use, but you will learn a ton.


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I just want to say to everyone above Java may be slower due to the virtual machine, but it's not a bad language. It's really good for LEARNING on, since it takes care of garbage collection, and you can easily pick up on key concepts like inheritance and overloading and polymorphism without having to worry about all the redtape that comes with C++. Java is NOT a bad language, and since 5.0 it's not even that slow any more. Granted, it will never be as fast as C++, but I'm tired of people putting down Java for what is essentially made up reasons.

Also, a true programmer does not know languages, you know programming, you know the science of computing. All OO-languages have the same core features (okay, most of them). They all have loops, conditions, most have pointers/references, inheritance, and all the other stuff. You should be able to pick up a new language in about 2 weeks, just getting over syntax stuff and little nuances in the language.

 

[klarax]

DirectX can be very confussing, and its not a free is you want to distribute your game. I think openGL would be a better graphical start, and then move to directX.

I agree with learning C++, but patience is going to be the key. It can be quite hard to begin with, especially if learning on your own.

Why C++ and not C or java etc? Becuase C++ is powerfull, and is more of an industry standard.

 

[Weaver]

DirectX can be very confussing, and its not a free is you want to distribute your game. I think openGL would be a better graphical start, and then move to directX.

I would agree with this.

 

[Nidenel]

To learn how to program just to make a game is an enormous feat. I would recommend not doing it. Learn how to program because you love programing, not to make games.

There are a couple of programs out there that you can make really interesting games with, like game maker, and the very indie-dev popular torque engine. I would start there, or maybe even try some moding.

I took programing classes for two years, and let me tell you. Programmers are a special bread of people who are masochists.

Look up the IGDA and try to go to local chapter meetings, and look for game developer meet up groups around your area. Basically find the crazy person that actually tolerates programing. I mean does any one really enjoy it, every one seems to hate it.

 

[Weaver]

local chapter meetings, and look for game developer meet up groups around your area. Basically find the crazy person that actually tolerates programing. I mean does any one really enjoy it, every one seems to hate it.

I absolutely love it, and would not want to be doing anything else with my life. Except maybe winning the lottery and just being rich as hell and not doing anything all day.... or a being a supermodel rockstar astronaut.

Saying programmers are masochistic is true. We push ourselves to incredible lengths, especially nearing a product release, but we love what we do; and there's one reason why:

A Programmer should love to create. Just like an artist loves to create. We love to see things work, to see what sometimes seems like an insurmountable pile of symbols, syntanx and the occasional hack turn into this useful, working product. The feeling you get when the damn thing just works is amazing.

 

[Anarchemitis]

Python?

This stuff is all code for me, or Greek for non-programmers. I can't understand a lick of it. Apart from the tenuous grasp I have on the jokes on xkcd [http://www.xkcd.com/221/].

 

[Weaver]

Python?

This stuff is all code for me, or Greek for non-programmers. I can't understand a lick of it. Apart from the tenuous grasp I have on the jokes on xkcd [http://www.xkcd.com/221/].

Python IS sort of weird, simply because it's not a C style syntax. It blew my mind that whitespace mattered too (tabbing in an IF statement.. what the hell??!)