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Geek Culture / recomended book to teach your self C++

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The Real 87
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Joined: 3rd Mar 2004
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Posted: 11th Nov 2004 13:45
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I want to learn C++, but I can;t spare the class period. What books would you guys recommend to teach it to myself?

This is my counting program
do: print "87" : loop
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Harvester
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Joined: 17th Sep 2004
Location: Infront of my computer
Posted: 11th Nov 2004 13:52
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Well, I'm using "Beginning C++ Game Programming" by Michael Dawson, and I think it's pretty good(published by Thomson course technology). Just incase you don't know, c++ doesn't do graphics(well, it can, but i'v heard it is not a good idea to try) If you want to have graphics in your game(who doesn't ) you'll also need to learn either DirectX or OpenGL. I'm afraid I can't recommend anything for those two, because I'm still just starting to work on OpenGL. Other than that, Good Luck!
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The Real 87
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Posted: 11th Nov 2004 13:58
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ok you lost me at not able to use graphics thingy.

I have to learn another language to use 3D graphics?

So what do you use C++ for? Maths?

This is my counting program
do: print "87" : loop
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hyrichter
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Joined: 15th Feb 2004
Location: Arizona
Posted: 11th Nov 2004 14:03
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You use c++ with DirectX or OpenGL. I'm still at the beginning stages of learning, so I wouldn't know how to do this yet. I believe you use c++ to access the features of DirectX.

BTW, the book I'm learning from is "Ivor Horton's Beginning Visual C++ 6" published by Wrox. So far, I've been impressed with the book. It takes you from very basic console type programs to building Windows based programs.



Do not click the red button
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The Real 87
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Posted: 11th Nov 2004 14:12 Edited at: 11th Nov 2004 14:13
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I'm still not getting it. If C++ can't use graphics directly then I assume C would not be able to either. DBP was writen in C so why can it use graphics driectly?

This is my counting program
do: print "87" : loop
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walaber
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Joined: 22nd Oct 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posted: 11th Nov 2004 14:19
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C / C++ ar just programming languages, they have no direct relation to graphics / sound / text output / etc.

the libraries you use with the language allow you to use that language to to any of the above.

DirectX is a library that provides a set of functions and stuff for C/C++ that you can use to make graphics. but in order to understand it, you need to learn C/C++ syntax first.

the syntax is like grammar, and the library is like the words. you need to know grammar to be able to put the words together in a sentence. likewise, the grammar isn't much use without some words to use

hopefully that was confusing enough

Go Go Gadget DBPRO!

Athlon XP 2400+ || DDR-SDRAM 1GB || Nvidia GeForce 4 Ti4200 AGP 8x 128MB
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The Real 87
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Posted: 11th Nov 2004 14:25
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oh ya I forgot all about libraries.

I took one sememster of it, so I know the basics (if, for, return 0 ect...)

This is my counting program
do: print "87" : loop
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MikeS
Retired Moderator
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Joined: 2nd Dec 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 12th Nov 2004 04:53
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ANSI C++: The Complete Language by Ivor Horton. Highly recommended book to start with.



A book? I hate book. Book is stupid.
(Formerly known as Yellow)
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Neofish
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Joined: 7th Apr 2004
Location: A swimming pool of coke
Posted: 12th Nov 2004 05:04
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The book I own is out of date but I think the majority of it is ok. I'm going to learn oGL, as my gfx card supports it and it's not DirectX (also works on linux).

[center]int N30F15H,a=1; do { N30F15H++; } while (a==1);
[center]
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BearCDPOLD
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Joined: 16th Oct 2003
Location: AZ,USA
Posted: 12th Nov 2004 13:12
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C++ For Dummies

w00t

Crazy Donut Productions, Current Project: Project Starbuks
Sony stole our name!
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The Real 87
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Posted: 12th Nov 2004 13:32
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I have it it is useless, well acctually it props my desk leg up.

This is my counting program
do: print "87" : loop
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computer
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Posted: 12th Nov 2004 20:46 Edited at: 12th Nov 2004 20:48
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SAMS Learn C++ In 24 hours was good. Taught the simple stuff, then told you about functions, classes, encapulation, records, polymorphism.. a nice thick book. Also came with a compiler on a disk but it's very basic, like DOS mode.

If you do want to draw graphics to the screen you could try Allegro, it was the first 3D/2D library I knew about. I download the Binary release which is 622k 3/4 of the way down. You need to know how to run MAKE commands.. it was a nightmare for me.. setting up the AUTOEXEC.bat and running make file from the DOS screen. Havn't tried it in XP, so if you have Win98..
http://www.talula.demon.co.uk/allegro/wip.html

You can also use free compilers, sush as MinGW, Dev-C++, DJGPP etc..
only problem with this is you do need to be MODERATE at setting compilers up.. otherwise you may pull your hair out trying.. it has all the instructions in the readme.txt it comes with..

arg!

bleep bleep
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Benjamin
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Posted: 12th Nov 2004 22:11 Edited at: 12th Nov 2004 22:18
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Erm you can do graphics but you would have to write your own routines..although you need to include external libraries too

AKA teh great Pet Rat.
Peace sells...but who's buying??
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flibX0r
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Posted: 12th Nov 2004 22:18
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write your own drivers, then it would work


Join the Expert Discussion forums dag nammit!
http://www.expertdiscussion.com
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The Real 87
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Posted: 13th Nov 2004 13:59 Edited at: 13th Nov 2004 14:01
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I got The Art of C++ by Herbert Schildt today. I have begun working on reading it. I got it because it includes business and game applications however not graphics (from what I read) so I am going to get OpenGL ES Game Development by Dave Astle and Dave Durnil. I may also get the direct x version of that book (same publisher).

Any more suggestions???

Oh and thanks Computer for the free compieler links but I already have one.

This is my counting program
do: print "87" : loop
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