Well, The best place to start would be to download the directx sdk from microsoft. It comes with a lot more examples then just ploting a few pixels on the screen. I would assume that you know thier address?

If it is not there anymore, then I can't really help you anymore then to say to get it. There are some websites that allow you to download it, but I don't know which ones. I'm sure that someone here will tell you.

Good luck.

Thanks, Wallace.. ehh.. I mean Gromit, I'm dling DirectX 7.0 SDK right now. It's kinda huge. Maybe I am getting started here.

But what about the C-compiler? Opinions, anyone?

-Alec-

Visual C++ 6.0 Introductory Edition

It's not free, but pretty close. I've been told that it comes with some of the DirectX programming books out there.

If you can let go of $68 for a few weeks, BUY.COM has MS Visual C++ 6.0 Standard for $68 but you get a mail in rebate for $50. Not a bad deal for $18 (plus shipping, of course).

Thanks for your posts, Strabbi & rperkins.

But isn't there anything else out there but the Official MS Product(TM)? I've heard there are free ones, too.

-Alec-

(46Mb downloaded...)

To deal with the MS "monster" you would be much better off with Visual C++. Free software, like DJGPP, while good, doesn't compare to the nice IDE of Visual C++. Add to that the fact that DirectX is geared towards Visual C++ in several ways, and you really need it.

- Splat

WATCOM can be a good compiler for DX-programs, too. But the ugly IDE really s....

Alec, if you are a student the PROFESSIONAL versions of Borland C++ Builder 4 and MS Visual C++ 6 are EACH $99. BUY ONE OF THEM...they are the best currently availible for Windows / DirectX Development...i own both and a few others to boot. DO NOT BUY the learning or introductory edition of anything....if you did...return it and upgrade. If you don't have a school book store that will order the software for you....look online for student pricing...just go to microsoft or inprise's web sites.
The free compiler's don't cut it for windows ;for dos...yes...or even if you want to do cross platform development...but they lack the extra help you get from Visual C++ or Borland C++ Builder.
One word of caution: Borland Builder is great...but it hides the traditional compiler behind it's RAD development tools, so expect to spend a few hours learning how to make NORMAL (not component based) programs with it...but once you learn...it's just as good (maybe better)....I use Visual C++ 6 at work...and since all SDK's are developed with/for it...it's easy

I have experience in programming, and I'm even studying for a degree in computer science. Now that I would like to pick up where I left in game programming (in the old Atari days), I'm facing this MS monster.. Windows and DirectX.

All I need is a ready-made program (in C), that initializes a full screen window (in win98), and a few functions to draw pixels on it. Is that too much to ask? The rest I can figure out myself. Or if I can't, I'll post another question, but now, I just want to get this thing started! Can you please help me, people?

Thanks in advance,

-Alec-

And hey, a free C-compiler would be nice. Which one do you recommend? (and where can I get it?)

Hey dont put down DJGPP.(hehe), if yo want to make MS games in Windoz you need a(or the only good) MS product,get MSV++ 6.0 Standered