Learning C++

CoDeMaN · July 17, 2006

When i asked for this C++ section it was because about 4 other people mentioned they want to learn it aswell.
What happened ?

Everyone seems to have gone to Freebasic instead ...

Shockwave · July 17, 2006

There was a bit of interest in this forum and I believe that there still is. There have been several topics posted, plenty of source but if the source posted is not supported by comments off the other members then I can understand why ppl would be less inclined to post their code.

In a nutshell, this forum is bought and paid for to provide like minded people with a place to exchange ideas, learn effects and languages etc. There is a limit to what I an the mod team on this board can do. If you don't support the forum with code, questions and feedback then you can't honestly be surprised if it is slow going.

In a nutshell, try posting some questions / feedback / source in the areas that you are interested in and then see what happens.

I know for a fact that plenty of people who are excellent at C / C++ come by here so it's not as if your pleas for help would fall on deaf ears.

Stonemonkey · July 17, 2006

I've been thinking about it for a while and will at some point although sticking to FB for now. And when I do I'll definitely be needing somewhere to ask questions.

Clyde · July 17, 2006

Im using Freebasic as a stepping stone before I go into C ++ / C# or even ASM at some point. It's going to be sometime before that though. As there's so much more to explore with it.

As Shockwave stated, theres absolutely nothing stopping you to ask for help on C++ dude - there's plenty of peeps who've some kind of experience with the lingo; and they'd be more then happy to assist ya mate.

Jim · July 17, 2006

One problem with saying C or C++ is that it's a monstrously huge area to cover. To get anywhere you need to think like yabasic or blitz or freebasic where there is only one strict version of the language, and everyone is targetting the same platform, Win32 Windows.

With C++ you could be covering anything from a PS1 Mod chip up to an IBM supercomputer!

So the plan should be to pick one of the free C compilers, devC++, OpenWatcom, lcc, gcc whatever, and then pick a target OS.
The assembler group has the same problem, with some archaic(!) <64Kb 16bit DOS programs and other far more complicated stuff.

Under Windows you can target command prompt stuff, like some of the ASCII demos, so it runs in a command shell, or you can open full GUI Windows. But at that point you're not so much learning C++ as learning how to program Windows. TinyPTC exists as a C library too, if that tickles your fancy?

C itself isn't much more complicated than the freebasic code you've all been writing, C++ is a much, much bigger adventure. I suspect nobody in the world knows that language and its runtime library completely. The ISO Standard is over 700 pages long!

So really, it depends what you want. You have to narrow the field you're looking at to get anywhere.

All IMHO.

Jim

Rbz · July 17, 2006

I'm with Jim here.

IMO, try Dev-cpp (IDE/Compiler) and C language + DOS programs for your start.

Any problems, just ask here and someone will try to help.

relsoft · July 18, 2006

Just limit yourself to the ANSI standard and you're gonna be alright. :*)

Yeah as Rbraz zed, Dev CPP

TinDragon · July 18, 2006

Well I would say DevCPP for the free compiler/ide to offer support for, as far as target platform, I would stick with windows. I have DevCPP installed as well as VisualC++ and as long as you dont use any MS extensions code is pretty interchangable. The thing with learning C or C++, the languages are fairly simple with very few commands it's all the include's and libs that really add all the more interesting stuff and thats the part that is dificult to grasp for alot of people.

I would say dont program DOS as such, target the command prompt under windows instead as plain DOS is really not good for winxp and modern hardware, more from the graphics standpoint than anything else and since were talking about effect and demo coding you really want gfx. Personally I have done a few things using just the windows GDI, some DirectDraw and alot of OpenGL, as well as a quick fiddle with TinyPTC, all of them good fun and while GDI is really rather slow it's on every windows pc so you know it will run. Directx I have found a little confusing so I tried OpenGL instead and found it easier to get going with, even got a very basic version of the ttdvectorlib running using it

Clyde · July 18, 2006

You could if you wanted to and opt for the free VisualStudio Express Editions from Microsoft: http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/default.aspx

Jim · July 18, 2006

That would be my preference Clyde.
While devc++ is the industry standard on Linux dev boxes, most of us are Windows users, and devc++ is a bit of a fish out of water on Windows.Ã, VS is the industry standard for Windows development and the compiler and debugger in VS Express are excellent. Plus you get a proper editor.Ã, It also means you can use VB, C# etc, along with all the modern Microsoft APIs.
The biggest issue is that VS Express is 35-70Mb to download.Ã, DevC++ is 13.5Mb.

Jim

Shockwave · July 25, 2006

This whole thread pretty much sums up what I said, you have one person complaining that there aren't any C++ posts, everyone dives in to show their support and the silence from the original poster is deafening.

Codey, if you really do want to learn C++ then post some source and questions and see what happens!

CoDeMaN · August 05, 2006

Quote from: Shockwave on July 25, 2006
This whole thread pretty much sums up what I said, you have one person complaining that there aren't any C++ posts, everyone dives in to show their support and the silence from the original poster is deafening.

Codey, if you really do want to learn C++ then post some source and questions and see what happens!

As i stated a lot of people mentioned about learning C++ so i asked a simple question about where are they and they still wanna learn.
I dont remember posting any complaints about no posts being made.

As the school holidays are now upon us im away for 6 weeks at my caravan popping back now and again making sure things are ok (house/emails ect) so my learning is on hold.

As i wanted the c++ section and am not using it as you want me too then please feel free to delete it.
If when the holidays are over its still here i will use it

Shockwave · August 06, 2006

Lol. I don't think I'm going to delete the C forum somehow.

.:] Druid [:. · December 09, 2006

Quote from: Shockwave on August 06, 2006
Lol. I don't think I'm going to delete the C forum somehow.Ã,

You'd rather not! I installed ms visual c++ express today!

taj · December 09, 2006

Quote from: [Druid] on December 09, 2006
Quote from: Shockwave on August 06, 2006
Lol. I don't think I'm going to delete the C forum somehow.

You'd rather not! I installed ms visual c++ express today!

Yey Druid-tro! Forever will it dominate your destiny...

rdc · December 09, 2006

I too want to try my hand at some C++. Given that the MS express version is a free download, it seems to be a good time to exapnd my horizons a bit.

Shockwave · December 10, 2006

It's a hell of a big download but worth it Rick.
I am busy making hello world stuff at the moment. I'll post as soon as I have something worth seeing.

rdc · December 10, 2006

Lookig forward to it.

Clyde · December 10, 2006

Perhaps you could try doing a few ascii effects dude.
All the best with your endevours in C mate.

Cheers,
Clyde.

rdc · December 10, 2006

I finally got everything d/l'ed. Damn, big was an understatement.

Time to dig in a little.