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Moser
11-09-2005, 8:34 AM
Alright, I am trying to learn C++ but I am pretty new to programming and I need some help. I know Visual Basic, but I need to learn C++ and my school doesn't really offer it so I can't ask my teachers any questions so I came here. Where can I get the basics on learning C++? I am completely new. =/
RedRagToAnOrc
11-09-2005, 10:56 AM
Alright, I am trying to learn C++ but I am pretty new to programming and I need some help. I know Visual Basic, but I need to learn C++ and my school doesn't really offer it so I can't ask my teachers any questions so I came here. Where can I get the basics on learning C++? I am completely new. =/

I had the same problem. I found a website - can't remember the name, but it offered somethng along the lines of 54 step-by-step tutorials in programming C++. Well, the basics and some pretty advanced stuff.

After that, I was bought C# by my parents (plus a really technical book to guide me through it) and so I kinda forgot about all the C++ stuff. Need any help with the actual programming, you can PM me.

There are some good sites out there, so just search for 'C++ Tutorials' or something along those lines.

Hope this helps.
TimP
11-09-2005, 12:15 PM
I would also recommend considering Java or C# instead. Those languages provide a nicer object oriented programming experience IMO. Both use C-style syntax so moving from C#/Java to C++ down the road is much easier than trying to jump straight from VB to C++.
Moser
11-09-2005, 12:27 PM
I would also recommend considering Java or C# instead. Those languages provide a nicer object oriented programming experience IMO. Both use C-style syntax so moving from C#/Java to C++ down the road is much easier than trying to jump straight from VB to C++.

I would do that, if I could get ahold of all the programs and everything. But right now, I have C++ and thats it. So If that's the thing I should ultimatly want to use, I would like to start with it. I feel thats what would make it easier on me. :/

Anyways. Here is my #1 noob question for the day:

I have MS Visual C++ 6.0 Professional Edition. I would like to start doing a little writing thanks to some tutorials online. (Good ol' Hello World! Tutorial). However, I don't know a single thing about the C++ 6.0 Interface. How do I start a new project?

I would like to appologize for all my "Noob" questions, but I need to learn so yeah.. heh.
Modred
11-09-2005, 1:03 PM
In Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0, click File -> New.

Select the Projects tab.

Select "Win32 Console Application," type the name in the approapriate field, and OK.

On the next screen, select "Empty Project" if you want to create all the files from scratch.

And for the record, MS Visual .Net provides a much better environment than Visual C++ 6.0. I've got V C++ 6 on my comp, but our lab computers here have .Net professional, and it's great.

I'm taking C++ courses right now, and our text is Starting Out With C++, 4th Edition by Tony Gaddis. It starts you out from the very basics and does a good job, imo, of explaining everything. Of course, it is a textbook and is thus a bit expensive....
TimP
11-09-2005, 1:27 PM
You can get the brand new C++ (and C#) IDEs for free in the form of Visual Studio 2005 Express. Don't let the name (or price) fool you, these tools use the regular C++ and C# compilers that are used in the more expensive products.

Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualc/

Visual C# 2005 Express Edition:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualcsharp/

I would still recommend C#, though.
RedRagToAnOrc
11-09-2005, 1:49 PM
I would still recommend C#, though.

So would I. It makes designing the programs a whole lot easier.
King_Templar
11-09-2005, 4:04 PM
I do my programming in C++, and I've been doing more of it lately. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me, and I'll answer them as best I can.
Black.Ice
11-09-2005, 5:52 PM
I've been learning Java for about 10 months, and I've become a Java fanboy. I'm also beginning to learn C#, as in, I've looked through a few source code examples and I've got a few reference books on hold at the local library.

I love doing OO design in Java, however, I still struggle with some stuff in C++ related to OO design. I would also recommend starting off in Java and then moving back to C++.
Mindslaver
11-09-2005, 8:03 PM
The best place to start learning C++ is through books. Generally, web tutorials (http://www.awprofessional.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0201824701&redir=1) for C++ are not as concise.

I would recommend C++ Primer (http://www.awprofessional.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0201824701&redir=1). It is a tried-and-true tome for learning C++.

If you want to learn programming, I would recommend that you start with a scripting language. Though you might think that professionals use C++, think about the purposes with which you will be programming. If you want to learn programming for programming's sake, you should probably start with a scripting language like Python or Perl. You will see results more quickly, and the success will keep you motivated. Learning C++ is a hard task, and you will find yourself unmotivated quite often (at least, I did).

I can safely say that unless you are going to become a hard-core programmer, you might find your time better invested in a scripting language. For game programming however, stick to C++.
X-Master2
11-09-2005, 9:00 PM
Mindslaver is right, it is a lot better to learn C++ from a book, thats what I have been doing, unfortunetly I haven't looked at it in a while, I should start that back up again, before I forget what I have learned. But you could go to downloads.com (http://www.download.com/Developer-Tools/2001-2026_4-0.html?tag=nav_dir), they have some nice things there, that is if you don't have access to any places to get books right now.
Moser
11-09-2005, 10:21 PM
can safely say that unless you are going to become a hard-core programmer, you might find your time better invested in a scripting language. For game programming however, stick to C++.

Well, as of now, programming is what I'd like to do after school. That'll be my career, hopefully. So I don't know. I am starting to learn a little early, and I am pretty motivated. I have a huge intrest in programming.

With that in mind, should I still start off with something else and work my way up? I'll probably need it all if I want a career in programming, eh?
King_Templar
11-09-2005, 10:49 PM
Well, if you do want to start off with a scripting language, you could try Javascript. The syntax is close to that of C++, and you don't need any special software for it. (Just notepad and a web browser.)
TimP
11-09-2005, 11:23 PM
I would again recommend C#. Free IDE, compiler, and you can be writing Windows applications quickly (in other words, you get results much faster than you would in just about any other full fledged object oriented programming language).
Mindslaver
11-10-2005, 3:10 PM
Reconsidering your interests, you should either start with C++ or go to Java/C#. Answer the following questions:

What platform (operating system) do you intend to work on, and release your applications?
What do you intend to create with your programming skills?
If you can efficiently program in C++, then you will be capable of working with any procedural/object-oriented language. Though this is a huge generalization, it is true for the most part. However, seeing that you intend to learn programming as a hobby, you will see results faster through a scripting language. Java/C# are between C++ and scripting languages in terms of complexity. Because you intend to do programming as a vocation, you should learn scripting languages on the side, but your main focus should be on either C++, Java, or C#.

C++ - Not so cross-platform, but capable if cross-platform libraries are used.
Java - Extremely cross-platform. The same byte-code can run on any supported operating system, assuming the VM is installed.
C# - Not cross-platform at all (as of now - I beileve a .NET compiler for Linux is in the works). You will be limiting yourself to Windows if you choose C#.

C# and C++ are best for game programming. Java is good for enterprise-level applications, but nothing really that you could work on at home and have fun with.

If you wanted to get started with C#, look at SharpDevelop (http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/). You can start using tutorials (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=sharp+develop+tutorial&btnG=Search).

Microsoft Visual C++ 6 is quickly being outdated. Take a look at MinGW, if you are interested in *nix style development. However, considering the tools at your disposal, C# or a scripting language would seem to be your best options. The choice depends on your desired level of cross-platform capabilities.