I''m nearing completion of my current (and first) C++ book, "Learning how to program in C++" by Steve Heller (I strongly recommend it for beginners, especially ones who know nothing about the language). Anyway, I was wondering where I should go next? I want to sort of get into making a few windows software programs before I go into anything for gaming, any advice? Help appreciated, forsakenMarz

Well, follow some tutorials on Windows Programming then, or pick up a book on it.

Hope you have enough practicals than theories.

I hope so too Derek

So I should just read tutorials? Okay, I think I''ll read that GUI tutorial, thanks.

Before I go, I was wondering, I want to go into AI programming when I get to university, so would I have to begin taking Biology? Or will that not help me?

Believe me, AI doesn`t have to do anything with biology (lessons in school). I had been learning biology for quite a few years and quite into deep areas of it (because of my high school), but there`s nothing related to AI. AI is strictly academic and mathematic approach to decision problem - although it is very simply said.

If you want to go for AI, you`ll have to master all fundamentals of c++, especially data structures. You have to be fluent with pointer arrays, linked lists and stuff - that`s what`s being used extensively when programming some pathfinding within game engine.

Few books related to AI wouldn`t hurt either. If you don`t have money, try making it a perfect Birthday gift. Search amazon. Or try GameProgramming gems 1-3 - they`re currently a bargain - check their page (i think it`s www.gameprogramminggems.com). And they`ll help you when you`re advanced. I have all three of them at home and like them very much.

You can play pretty well with AI in text mode, no graphics is needed really. And a good AI programmer is needed everywhere.

Try www.gameai.com for a wealthy info on AI.