Basically just wondering what peoples thoughts are as far as learning C++ itself properly before getting too much into game programming. I''ve got about 8 years programming experience now, 3 years Uni and 5 in the workforce. Did a lot of C through Uni and used a large variety of languages since. Started looking at Game programming a couple of years ago (bought Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Guru''s) and got to the stage of an animated spaceship flying around the screen then let it go for whatever reason (can''t remember). Getting back into it now, and have no problem working through books and understanding what they''re on about and taking what they teach and applying it. Objects and so on I''ve had no problem understanding how they work (so far). I guess I''m just wondering about other features of the language that I don''t know and haven''t come accross. Is it worthwhile breaking from the games books for a while to work through learning C++ properly, or just continue through picking it up as I go? - Ben Scott Just starting out

Well, I believe it is if you are motivated enough to learn the language, if not then start developing games. I myself learned about two months of c++ then started to try and develop games I don''t think that was the most ideal situation it takes just too long using shabby programming practices especially if you don''t know more then one way to solve a problem.

I took a break and decided to learn c++ as you say "properly" bought the book accelerated c++ and effective C++ both which are excellent books. I''ve done a lot of my own research and am now probably going to pick up the book "effective STL" and Code complete. I believe that understanding the stl and object oriented design is important to me for developing quality games.

I must say now whenever I dip into a DX game I have a much shorter debugging session after reading the two books I picked up recently.

Reiterating my point: If you have the motivation to learn c++ thoroughly before going on to game development then by all means do it. If not jump into game development then relearn the language later when you have more motivation, but one way or the other your going to have to have a deep understanding of c++.