G'day!

You don't have to use MS Visual C++, but it seems like most ppl use it these days.

* As for a start I'd go for "The Waite Group's C++ Primer Plus" (an excellent book for beginners) and a free DOS C/C++ compiler.

* "Windows Game Programming For Dummies" by Andre Lamothe is a great beginner book for getting started with DirectX.

Compilers are usually in the $100-$400 range. OR, you could get DJGPP at www.delorie.com which is a free compiler -- although you won't get all cool features some of the commercial compilers will give you.

So, either VC++ 6 Standard (which you can get for $100) or DJGPP are good choices.

Happy coding!
--TheGoop

Also, you can get VC++ Professional in any
college bookstore for $99..

Hi!
Just wondering, how much does C/C++ cost? Do you H-A-V-E to have Visual C++ to make apps, games? ok is this about all you need:

Book:$30.00
Compiler: $0.00-$10:00(??)

and what else do you need?
Thanks for your help.
Tyler

André LaMothe's new book, Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus (see the books section for more info), includes an introductory version of Visual C++ 6.0. I'd suggest buying that, since it's also a great introduction to Windows and DirectX programming. You're going to want to understand C/C++ pretty well before you read it, but it's worth getting now for the compiler and other tools that come with it.