PocketMatrix

I want to learn C++ for Windows. I went to Barnes & Nobles, but they didn't have The Complete Idiot's Guide to C++, so I got C++ For Dummies. I started reading the book, BUT it's for programming DOS programs! NOT Windows! They also had Visual C++ 6 For Dummies, but I've read that it got real bad reviews. HELP! I want to learn C++ for Windows, not DOS. I want to use a compiler that runs in Windows, not DOS. Please respond ASAP. I'll be going to Barnes & Nobles soon to return C++ For Dummies.

just get loads of tutorials off the net, 'its free'

It's easier with a single book that comes with a CD. I'd rather do it that way.

I wouldn't.

Well, what book would you recommend and/or what tutorials?

Get a book on Visual C++, not C++. I happen to own Visual C++ 6.0, so it made sense to buy a book strictly based on "Visual C++ 6.0".<br><br>But I also own the old Borland C++ (can't remember the ver.). Programming for DOS is cool.<br><br>The syntax for C++ is nearly the same, regardless if it's Visual or not.

C++ is not for dummies.<br><br>And you SHOULD learn first in DOS and then dream about moving on to Windows, it's plain old STUPID to try to learn C++ with a Book That teaches MS Visual C++ (a program, not a language), because it will assume you already know C++, so:<br><br>"The syntax for C++ is nearly the same, regardless if it's Visual or not." <br><br>Makes absolutely no sense because Visual C++ is just the name of Microsoft's compiler. There is no Visual C++ language, smart guy.<br><br>I assume you want to learn C++ because you already know C, so here's a great site for that:<br>http://www.icce.rug.nl/docs/cplusplus/cplusplus.html<br><br>But after reading it you should get a real book because it's not very very complete.<br><br>Last modification: CARPEDIEM - 03/31/01 at 12:58:36

I completely agree with CARPE. Getting a Visual C++ book will teach you how to use the compiler, not the language. You need to know the commands and understand the language. You don't need a windows programming book, the differences can be learned in a day, and DirectX tutorials are all over the internet.<br>   Warren, This is exactly why I told you what order to get the books in. The second one in the list, the Game Programming for Windows, will teach you everything you need to know about windows programming.<br> You can't get everything from one book, you have to progress. This is like thinking you can learn everything in a class in one week, it won't happen. Step by step...

I know, I realized that when reading the back of the Visual C++ books. I went to Barnes & Nobles today to return C++ For Dummies (on the reviews I've read of it, it's rated one of the worst, typos on everything in the book), and I got 2 books. The Complete Idiot's Guide to C++ by Paul Snaith (rated one of the highest) and Sam's Teach Yourself C++ in 10 Minutes as a reference book (rated also one of the highest). B&N didn't have them, but I still ordered them and they'll come in 4-6 business days (4-6 business days! sheer torture!). When I'm done with all that, I'll know all the basics of C++, and be able to write games. I'll then get Trick of the Windows Game Programming Gurus by Andre Lamothe. This book is the big a** book, 1000 pages! B&N had one at the store, and it's huge! With that, I'll learn the details of C++ and of course, game programming, because I'm planning on making a multiplayer mod for Half-Life (you know, Counter-Strike, Team Fortress, FireArms, Front Line Force... if you know Half-Life multiplayer, you know the millions of mods). Then after that big a** book, I'll get PC Programming to learn to make and port games to WinCE PPC. Perhaps I'll even work for id Software, programming some new Quake 4 engine and making the maps...well, maybe just the maps, that's my real skill. Hey, maybe I can make maps for Doom IV! That would be awesome! I'm not planning on doing anything around programming, mapping, or anything around computer gaming for a career. I pretty much know what I want to do for a career, but game programming and mapping may be a side job. But first, I've gotta learn C++! And I may have to wait an ENTIRE week for the books to arrive at Barnes & Nobles!! AHH! Well, I did get a discount on the books because I have to wait, so that's good.

Yeah, and i want to marry Pamela Anderson, Own Microsoft, Be President of the whole world and build a star ship to travel to foreign worlds where no man has ever gone before and discover alien life forms. And build an artificial life form that would take over the whole galaxy and shit. I also want to become a rock star and score with many chicks at the same time.<br><br>Lol, You guys really are something!!.<br><br><br>Last modification: CARPEDIEM - 03/31/01 at 16:14:59

Hey, I want to be a rock star too.  But that's kindof irrelevant.  Come on Carpe, you're being a little harsh for someone that had to take shit from Dan, randall and Mark(killzat) for being a newbie programmer (even though you weren't that new and you are/were quite good) only a couple months ago.  These guys are just aspiring programmers and you're talking them down so that they won't want to be one after they write their first hello world application and think its too much work.  So instead of calling them morons for wanting to know how to program, you of all people, should be trying to encourage them, and not talk about Pamela anderson... besides she's getting old anyways, and her implants are gone

CARPEDIEM, what was that about? Are you trying to discourage me from learning to program? If you discourage everyone who wants to learn to program, then there'll be no programmers! It is quite disappointing when I read your post. I'm excited to learn C++, and then you laugh at me. Now I'm going to go up to my room and cry my heart out because of you. Well, maybe not... Remember, YOU were a newbie programmer at one time, and did anyone discourage you? I'm going to learn C++ and you can't stop me because you're not the boss of me (it's funny using kiddy language).

It's called "Tough Love" people<br><br>Fuhgedabowdit<br><br>

1) Pam Anderson is not attractive<br>2) Own microsoft? Just take his money, owning the company would be miserable<br>3) President of the world? That's my job, but I'm the supreme dictator of the world. You may call my Mr. Dictator Sir<br>4) I've already been to Alpha Centauri. The plants are purple (binary white dwarf stars do that) and the mind worms are a nuissance.<br><br>Warren, why didn't you just order them using the Amazon.com link I gave to you in the other thread. If you clicked on the name of the book it would have taken you there.<br>Warren, that game programmers book I told you about, it comes with Visual C++ 6.0 on the included CD for free, why not get that so you can actually do what the book is telling you.

Ok, Moose Master (Mr. Dictator Sir), I'll get Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus off of Amazon. I got the 2 other books from Barnes & Nobles cheaper than Amazon's prices, because they had to order them. The Complete Idiot's Guide to C++ comes with a CD, but I'm not sure if it's Visual C++. C++ For Dummies came with GNU C++, which only works in DOS and can only do DOS programs. I never installed it though, because I knew I was going to return it. I saw on Amazon that the real full Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 is $250! How can the game programming book come with Visual C++? Is it Microsoft's, a trial version, or some other brand? Oh, and Moose Master, I did click on the links to go to Amazon, read all the reviews, and compared prices. I know that Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus's CD come with some source codes of some games. Do you know what source codes are on the CD?