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Geek Culture / Diving head first into C++ (One book on the way)

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That Guy John
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Posted: 7th Mar 2013 09:29 Edited at: 10th Mar 2013 21:51
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As with what seems to be many people around here lately, I am jumping into C++. Of course, for game development.

I have one book on the way and trying to find a couple others to follow up with after completing the first.

Book on the way:
Sams Teach Yourself

The two I am looking at for possible follow ups:
Introduction to 3D Game Programming with DirectX 11

Game Coding Complete, Fourth Edition

The one I already ordered and the two follow-ups I have posted seem to be the most relevant with the best reviews. Do any of you have any experience with any of these books? Am I on the right path?

I am already familiar with VB and comfortable. Not mastered but, I feel as though I have a tight enough grasp on programming in general to tackle another language.

I know there are loads of other threads pointing to online resources but, I haven't found anything that really makes anything clear to me and well laid out text books with really good exercises have always been a big help to me. Even before starting college, I was already teaching myself VB but, was never comfortable with it until I had my VB class.

Additional Links as suggested by other members:
http://www.cplusplus.com/files/tutorial.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_C%2B%2B_Programming_Language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pragmatic_Programmer
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Van B
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Posted: 7th Mar 2013 13:36 Edited at: 7th Mar 2013 13:37
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This PDF tutorial is really good, I found it invaluable - it won't go into game creation or 3D or anything fancy really, it's more like a really good foundation course. I suggest getting it printed out and put it in a nice folder.

http://www.cplusplus.com/files/tutorial.pdf

For me, well I hate C++ books, there's so much obfuscation, it's almost like anyone who writes a C++ book feels the need to avoid any sort of question from the learned C++ community. That PDF tutorial cuts out all the chaff - I don't feel like I owe the author an apology after reading it . It's free, and I promise that after reading through just the first 30 pages you'll see just how much of a dark art C++ really isn't.

One thing that is apparent with C++ users is the usual snobbery when it comes to languages like VB. What I found is that the more you use a language, the more your coding style matures, and it tends to mature towards a C++ way of working - so when it comes to learning C++, it really is more like a change of syntax, and not rocket surgery, like some might have you believe.

I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more memes.
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Sph!nx
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Posted: 7th Mar 2013 14:47
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@ Van B: Thanks!

I'm gather resources (Documentation, tutorials, libraries, etc.) for C++ beginners, since I'm also eager to jump in. When I have sufficient stuff to share, I will!

Regards Sph!nx
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Dar13
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Posted: 7th Mar 2013 15:08 Edited at: 7th Mar 2013 15:08
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Eventually you should pick up a couple of the more standard C++ books like Effective C++(I think there's two of them) and The C++ Programming Language that was written by the language's creator Bjarne Stroustrup. Another good book that you should get when you get some more experience in C++ and programming in general is the The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master.

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That Guy John
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Posted: 7th Mar 2013 20:39
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Thanks for all the links guys. Big help.

Van B, printing that PDF right now.

I know what you mean about some text books or even msdn. It's as though they think you already know what they are talking about and makes me feel ignorant because I don't understand what it is talking about.
The first two books I have listed have really good reviews all over the place though. Speaking of which, I went ahead and ordered the DirectX book. (The second one I listed)

I went ahead and ordered it because I tend to want to learn more when I have an immediate purpose. I'll do my best not to dig too far into the DirectX book until I make it through the first book as not to cause anymore grey hairs than necessary.

I'll update the OP later on today with all the links you guys have posted.

Keep the links coming? I'll keep updating the OP.

Thanks again.
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Sph!nx
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Posted: 8th Mar 2013 11:26 Edited at: 8th Mar 2013 11:27
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Well, in that case, I will send you a PM with the links I have/will find, so we can have one proper list instead of several. It would be good to have a place around here for C++ n00bs like ourselves.

Regards Sph!nx
www.mental-image.net
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That Guy John
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Posted: 10th Mar 2013 21:55
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Sph!nx, just post links here and I will update the OP when I can.

Got my first book in last night and worked on the first three lessons today. I must say, I am glad to see, so far, the concept of C++ is pretty much the same as VB. Just different syntax, so far anyways.
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Sph!nx
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Posted: 11th Mar 2013 14:11 Edited at: 11th Mar 2013 14:16
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I still need to dive in (Got a pretty big project in DBP). I'm collecting as much as I can so the next project will start in C++. When I have a little more, I'll sort it out and post it here then.

Yeah, the more I find and learn about C++, the less it scares me. Logic is logic and learning syntax and commands is not that difficult for me.

Edit: When a proper list has been assembled, perhaps a moderator could post it in a sticky thread for all future starters? All neatly categorized. Just a thought...

Regards Sph!nx
www.mental-image.net
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Dar13
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Posted: 11th Mar 2013 15:34
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OOP is quite a bit different from DBP, and templates is a whole nother beast, but yeah logic is logic is logic in the end.

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Libervurto
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Posted: 12th Mar 2013 12:37
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I don't know why I stopped learning C++, I was enjoying it and have a really good book (Accelerated C++ by Koenig & Moo). I guess I probably just thought of something cool that I could only do in DB (based on my own knowledge). I certainly think it's more difficult to learn a new "method" if the old one is still useful, because we are lazy creatures. After I've completed my current project I think I might abstain from DB and dive head first into C++ along with you!


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Sph!nx
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Posted: 12th Mar 2013 13:32 Edited at: 12th Mar 2013 13:33
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Well said. That's how I feel too. Still collecting resources and brainstorming a bit for a small side project to start with C++. I can't abandon my current project so it needs to be small.

Regards Sph!nx
www.mental-image.net
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