For the last few years I have been using Borland Delphi to do Windows programming for my A-level course. I now want to start doing some games programming and realise that this is not the best language for it. So, I am most likely going to use C++. I have a copy of Borland C++ Builder 4 and have used it a little. But my question is really, is it worth getting Microsoft Visual C++ on student licence to do games programming. Any help will be appreciated. ----------------------------------------- "If you''re feeling good, don''t worry. You''ll get over it." Edited by - Paranoia on April 29, 2001 5:18:54 AM

When I started, I was using C++Builder 3...

The Borland compiler actually has better ANSI standard support that the Microsoft one, and I believe it is faster.

The only reasons I can think of to get VC++ are that 1) almost everybody who does Windows stuff uses it, and most examples you download will come with VC++ project files if they come with project files at all, and 2) most libraries you download will be ready to work with VC++, and might take a little mucking around to work with BCB.

But you''ve been programming for a few years already, so you probably know your way around. If I were you, I would stick with BCB for a while, just to save money. If you work for a while, and decide you''d rather try something else or use the same IDE that everybody else does, then you could get VC++.

On the other hand, if you''re about to graduate or something, getting VC++ Pro for $99 is a good deal, and you''ll probably want to take advantage of it while you can.

Good luck.

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For the last few years I have been using Borland Delphi to do Windows programming for my A-level course. I now want to start doing some games programming and realise that this is not the best language for it.

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Not to get off topic or anything, but what's wrong with Delphi? Delphi is just as viable a game programming language as C or C++. Just so you can make an informed decision, here are some things to think about:

Delphi compiles to native code, that code is just as fast as code compiled with C++ Builder (in fact I think it uses the same linker C++ Builder does), and it can compile assembly if you really need the optimized speed. So right there you're off to a good start.

Delphi handles pointers extremely well, just as good as C. (Allowing for pointer arithmetic etc.) You really won't gain much from making the move to C/C++. Memory management is on par as well.

Win API, DirectX, OpenGL, third party DLLs, etc. are all accessable via Delphi (Fullscreen games are not a problem). Sure most resources are initially geared towards C/C++, but converting a C/C++ header to a Delphi unit isn't all that hard, and most of the time it's already been done by someone and available for download somewhere on the net (i.e. DirectX).

Delphi just went cross platform (Kylix). So if you were worried about being stuck under Windows, worry not.

Delphi is strongly typed, meaning it pushes structured coding, which in turn makes for less involved bug hunts. I can't say the same for C/C++.


Sure Delphi might seem be the runner up to the industry standard C for programming games, there aren't as many examples/samples/tutorials and Microsoft's Delphi support is lack-luster, but Delphi works and not only that, it works well. And while the Delphi gaming community may be small it's there, and it's growning every day. So don't discount it so quickly. If you've already been programming in Delphi... why not stick with it, pick up "Delphi Graphics and Game Programming Exposed" by John Ayres. Try programming a couple games. In the end it'll be your personal preference that determines whether you stay with Delphi or move on.


- The forum's brand new Delphi representative

Edited by - Xorcist on April 30, 2001 2:02:06 AM

Edited by - Xorcist on April 30, 2001 2:03:14 AM

Cheers to both of you for all your help, it was very useful. I think I''m going to hang on till I finish my A-levels in a few months time and then start looking into it a little harder.

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"If you''''re feeling good, don''''t worry.
You''''ll get over it."