Books For Learning Programming

[Clyde]

I have 5 books on learning aspects of C++ which I've had for some time but haven't managed to read some of them properly; mostly because of finding Freebasic and learning that.

I've found that these book are geared towards Dev C++, as they come package with a CD of it. The titles I have are, 'Beginning C++ Game Programming', 'Beginning Open GL', 'C++ For Dummies', 'Windows Game Programming For Dummies, & finally a huge book intitled 'Game Programming All In One'

At some stage when I've dabbled enough with Freebasic to learn more complex things than Blitz, and are are similar to the ways of C/C++. Then I'll be getting my head into them, but that wont be for a while yet I feel.

I wondered if any of you have or know of any good books to learn from ( without confusing Jargon )? And preferably dealing with Microsoft Visual C++ ( Express Edition ) as for one thing I wouldn't know how to convert Dev syntax to that of Visual Studio.

Also books on ASM might be pretty good to look into, as of the inline Assembler capabalites with Freebasic.

Cheers and many thanks,
Clyde.

[Shockwave]

I'd say that unless you were going to use assembly language to make low byte intros, there's probably no point in learning asm. C++ is what the whole world uses these days.

The only C++ book I have is Sams teach yourself c++ in 21 days, it's very basic and just covers the syntax of the language. If you want to use opengl, you'd be fine working through the sams book and then looking into the nehe tutorials once you'd finished the book.

Personally I am going to be learning DirectX as opposed to GL, though I have heard Jim say that DirectX is a pain in the arse to set up.

[benny!]

Learning assembly might be good to gain some general knowledge of the hardware.
But as shocky already said - for the majority of today commercial projects you need
a language like C++ and / or Java with which you can plan and model larger projects
more effectively ( e.g. think about UML and so on... ).

Nevertheless, I think it is definately worth knowing some basic asm and infos about
the hardware you program. A good book for general asm is IMHO the following :

http://www.drpaulcarter.com/pcasm/

Speaking about C/C++ I personally began with pure ANSI C with a book simply called
ANSI C. It deals with the very basics and was perfect for the beginning. If you
want to get into the basic Windows-Programming ( e.g. WinAPI ) then you should
go with Petzold's Windows Programming book with is considered as the bible
for windows programmer.

If you want to learn something about the Object Orientated features of C++ you might
try the Thinking in C++ book. I didn't read it myself but I heard a lot of good
things about it. Personally, I did learn the gernal object orientation while learning Java.

[mike_g]

The only C++ book I have is Sams teach yourself c++ in 21 days

Thats the only C++ book I have. I have hardly read it, and as shockwave said it doesent go into much detail. Heres some online stuff that I tend to use instead: C++ Notes

Hope its of some use

[Shockwave]

The detail it does go into though Mike is probably worth looking at, even if you only read it as far as classes..

[mike_g]

Yeah youre probably right, I still got to learn most of the OO stuff. Personally tho I liked he C++ notes as it covers some useful/interesting stuff that my book dosent.

[Clyde]

Cool and thankyou, I'll check those out at the library. What editions should I be looking for, or doesn't it matter?

Anyone else have titles for books that have helped them out?

Cheers,
Clyde.

[Jim]

Personally I am going to be learning DirectX as opposed to GL, though I have heard Jim say that DirectX is a pain in the arse to set up.

http://dbfinteractive.com/index.php?topic=1536.0

It just got a lot easier

Jim

[Hotshot]

DirectX is a pain in the arse to set up

Yup very true 

[ferris]

I don't mind DirectX's setting up, but Direct3D bothers me.

Anyway I don't have any books or know of any really to help. But when you do, all I can say is try to make it a reference and not so much as a guide.

I've learned alot in my 6 years of programming, and probably the best advice I can give to anybody is this: *Read what you want to know from the book first. Don't waste your time with projects it tells you to do if they don't help you. Then play around as much as you can. You can learn alot from a book, but it won't give you anywhere NEAR as good as an understanding as figuring things out yourself. Finally, if all else fails, read the rest of the book * .

Also, what I did is just play around with basic stuff of a new language every once in awhile, while still using a language you're comfortable with most of the time. This helps make connections to things you know from old languages and lets you learn more at your own pace. Don't ever rush yourself!! I did my first C program when I was 11. I turned 15 in December and only then have I finally began to understand it all.

And I hate to say it, but you probably know this; it's gonna be way harder for you to learn than it would a younger person (like myself [No, not bragging ] ) because of how much your brain has developed. This might hold you back a bit, and most likely slow you down. But you're stubbourn as hell, so I'd say not to worry

Anyway good luck, C++ is tough to go to from something like Blitz or FB, but just press on. We have faith in you