Attempting to learn C++ and gaming programming (Solved)

[Noobasaurus]

So I found this really awesome project on Github. However, it's not finished, and some of the core mechanics aren't there. I asked why, and they said that they have a private project where you have to be invited to in order to get into it. To be invited, you have to make progress on the public project. So now I want to learn C++ so that I can continue the project and hopefully get into the private project. /backstory

If you guys know of any free resources that I can use to learn C++/gaming programming, please let me know. I found a few and will start reading them soon.

[AceMastermind]

If you guys know of any free resources that I can use to learn C++/gaming programming, please let me know. I found a few and will start reading them soon.

Which ones have you found? This will help prevent others from repeating suggestions.

3DBuzz has a few.
http://www.3dbuzz.com/training/view/c-p ... s-complete

[Noobasaurus]

Thanks Ace.

I'm not sure if all of the ones I've found are free but I'll list the ones I have currently. I'm not even sure if I'll use them all.

Hidden/Spoiler:

AppDev - Learning to Program Using Visual Basic
C Primer Plus, Fifth Edition
Fundamentals of Programming C++
Structured Programming with C Plus Plus
The C++ Hackers Guide
Think C Scpp

The first one is a set of videos like the ones you posted. Some of them start at my level and some of them start at higher levels so that's why I have all of them.

[Twilight_Warrior]

Some of these I've used. Some of them I haven't. I also learned C++ in a class in high school, so I don't know how good they are for learning from scratch.

http://www.learncpp.com/
http://www.tutorialspoint.com/cplusplus/
http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial/c++-tutorial.html
http://cpp-tutorial.cpp4u.com/

If you really wanna game program, though, I recommend using C# with Microsoft's XNA library, not C++. XNA is not being supported by Microsoft anymore, but a lot of people still love it so a project called MonoGame started up. A lot of best selling games have been made with MonoGame, including Bastion and Fez, and the best part is that all of the numerous existing C# and XNA tutorials (including the official ones from Microsoft) still work perfectly with it. Plus, it's cross-platform instead of Microsoft-only.

http://www.monogame.net/
http://xbox.create.msdn.com/en-US/educa ... ng_started (<- Best tutorial ever, even if you have just a basic understanding of programming)

[Anakin]

Start with the basics. Maybe you should start with C to learn how C++ works.
Defently the most important site is this: http://www.cplusplus.com/

[Noobasaurus]

@TW: Thank you. I'll definitely look into those links you provided. I did try to do the tutorial on the last link you posted, but the tools they provided were not compatible with Windows 8. I did some searching around and Visual Studio 2010 isn't compatible either.

@Anakin: Thanks! I might start with there, depending on how noob-friendly it is.

I looked up the differences between C, C#, and C++ and I found out that C is the oldest. C++ is a step up with object oriented programming and C# is the "best" because it can be used in nearly everything. However, I don't need C# for what I'm trying to do. The files I need to understand are mainly C++ source and C/C++ header.

But my question is how different is C# from C++? Because to me it seems like levels. Level one is C, level two is C++, and level three is C#. I need to complete levels one and two.

Although I might be able to learn C++ without C. Maybe.

[Anakin]

I never made c# but i don't think there is a big different.
I started with c and later with c++ (studies)
I use Visual Studio 2013 Ultimate it's compatible with Win 8.1 so i think it will go with win 8, too. If you are looking for a free ware i never tested code blocks, but i know some who use this. On studie we are pleased to use Eclipse for c++ (but i cannot recommend). In Fact you also can use vim, editor, notepad++, or even Word. All you need is the compiler

[Twilight_Warrior]

@TW: Thank you. I'll definitely look into those links you provided. I did try to do the tutorial on the last link you posted, but the tools they provided were not compatible with Windows 8. I did some searching around and Visual Studio 2010 isn't compatible either.

You have to install MonoGame with Visual Studio 2013. That's what I was getting at. MonoGame = XNA, but MonoGame works with Windows 8. THEN you can use that last tutorial I linked.

As for learning C/C++ first, it really doesn't matter. I started with C++, but a lot of my coursework at my University is in C. Most everything you can do in C, you can do in C++. C++ is just an Object-Oriented approach, as well.

Tl;dr don't worry about C. For now. Maybe later.

[Noobasaurus]

I use Visual Studio 2013 Ultimate it's compatible with Win 8.1 so i think it will go with win 8, too.

Yeah, that's what I have right now. I really like the interface and the workflow even though I don't know what anything does. I do know how to compile projects, though.

You have to install MonoGame with Visual Studio 2013. That's what I was getting at. MonoGame = XNA, but MonoGame works with Windows 8. THEN you can use that last tutorial I linked.

OH. Okay.

Tl;dr don't worry about C. For now. Maybe later.

Yep, I'll do that. Time to dive into tutorials! Thanks for the help guys!

[zwyx1234]

Hey, I know a decent ammount of C++. Here are some of the concepts that I'm familliar with:

-Declaring and manipulating variables
-Declaring and manipulating functions with and without parameters
-Data types (like char, int, bool, float, etc.)
-If statements
-Switch or case statements
-For Loops
-While loops
-Do...While loops
-Pointers (working with memory adresses, still learning this concept)
-Classes and OOP (Object Oriented Programming)
-Header files (these are pretty straightforward)
-Having multiple files in one project
-File I/O (Still learning how to manipulate files)
-Recursion (using a function multiple times)

If you would like some help learning the above concepts, hit me up on steam, zwyx12341 (dont forget the extra 1 (one) at the end!). In my spare time I will gladly help you to learn to code in C++, should you want it.

As far as game programming goes, I made a tic tac toe game in C++. It's still a work in progress, but I can PM you the github link if your interested. I'm currently working on a chess game in Python, a different programming language. I know Python better than C++, but im at about an intermediate level in both languages. I also have a collection of text based games in Python. Should you want to look at those, I can upload them to github.

As far as GUI (Graphics User Interface, google if you don't know what it is) programming goes, that is a lot harder. I suggest you work your way up by making console applications (things that run in command prompt or a Linux terminal) and go from there. You can make some pretty intense programs that are completely text based. I made a program that was simillar to a journal, except it asked me pre-defined questions and I answered on a scale of 1 to 10. It then logged my answers to a text file. If you notice, I dont have much experience writing GUI's in python or C++, thats my next goal after file I/O. So yeah, GUI's are quite hard in my experience. I've attempted GUI's before, and never got very far with them.

All in all, I wish you the best of luck in your programming adventure. Should you ever want my help with coding, just shout. I have a passion for art and programming, so its not a burden on me. Just ask.