Hey guys, how''s it hangin''? I''ve been learning C++ for the past few days now from an online course called "Teach Yourself C++ in 21 days". So far, it''s been a great course/tutorial. I highly recommend it if you''re looking to start off in DOS programming... I''ve downloaded dozens of libraries and code dumps from gametutorials.com and for my C++ compiler, I''m using Dev-C++ from bloodshed.net(if any of you know of a better, free C++ compiler, I''m all ears). So anyway, here''s the problem: I''m not running DOS... Or Win3.1... Or Win9x... Or Win2K... I''m using WinXP Pro. Getting DOS-made programs to work in Windows Me is hard enough as it is, let alone XP Pro! Testing DOS-made programs has not been an easy feat! So what I''m looking for is a free online course/tutorial that will teach me Windows-only based programming. I''d prefer something that was more game-oriented, and something that assumes that the reader has little or no C++ programming experience... but I''ll take anything y''all got. DOS is deader than disco(*sniff*... Privateer... Wing Commander...*sniff*). Basicly, I''m looking to make a multiple-graphic-layered, 2D, sprite-based RPG. I''d like to learn how to make a graphical engine similiar to that of Final Fantasy VI. I realize that the graphics I draw will be the real determining factor to the overall looks of the game, but I just want to give you an idea of what I''m trying to make. I assure you guys, this is going to be, by absolutely no means what-so-ever, another Final Fantasy clone. I have original ideas, and I''d like to learn how to make them come to life. So... Ideas? Do you think I should stick with this C++ tutorial(it was written in the Win3.1 days)? And for this kind of game that I''m [going to start] writing, should I learn some OpenGL or DirectX too? I think software-based "rendering" will do... This game will be nothing more than a bunch of GIF animations and BMP backgrounds... Nothing 3D. But you all... You are the masters.

i don''t know of any good windows programming tutorials for c++ (i''m sure there are plenty out there though). i first started with dos, and in fact learned all of c++ in dos, and i still use dos some because that''s what school uses in computer science. i learned windows programming from a combination of madly looking for internet sources to teach me, finding lots of bad ones, but still looking through the code, and reading part 1 (the windows programming part) of tricks of the windows game programming gurus, by andre lamothe (a great book, by the way).

and also, although you''re looking to make a multiple-graphic-layered 2d sprite-based rpg, maybe you should start with something a little simpler, like tic tac toe perhaps? then maybe tetris? and if you''re really up to the challenge, breakout? before you can make anything big and at all good, you need lots and lots of practice making things that suck. keep that in mind.


- f l u c k y p o o
- the geek inside

Oh yeah, I plan to make a lot of those simpler games first. Guess I sorta forgot to mention that.

Anyway, I''ll check out that book you mentioned... I could use all the help I can get.

you should give linux a try, all the tools are free (well you can buy some if you want), and you can make console and gui programs, and no winmain or wndproc crap

Yeah, but Linux is an entirely new OS in itself, isn''t it? I have hard enough times grasping C++, let alone C++ and an entirely new OS. :D

im running winxp pro, and i have no trouble at all getting
win32 console apps running.. just make sure you create the
right kind of exe and you wont have trouble testing them.
if you''re interested in a free compiler to learn on, i highly
recommend Visual C++ Learning edition (it stamps a msgbox to your
app, but at least you can learn on it.. hence the title).
when you get good enough to sell programs or distribute them,
you can spend the 150 or whatever dollars to get the retail
version


-eldee
;another space monkey;
[ Forced Evolution Studios ]

OK, where do I go about on getting this Learning Edition? Isn''t the Visual series part of Microsoft''s line???

For a free online tutorial try out winprog.org

Besides that, why start with an RPG?? Not to say that you don't have the knowledge to actually code it, but wouldn't it be easier to start out with a more "basic" game, like pong or something??? Especially if your new to C/C++ it's a better start..atleast in my opinion..

Anyway, good luck

EDIT - HTML is NOT a programming language, but I still can't do it right on the first try.... *grrr* The link should work now

Wannabe

Edited by - Rickmeister on March 11, 2002 5:36:45 AM

For a few Windows C++ tuts Check out: Windows API Tutorials

Also take a look at developmentor

These are just for starters. Consult with google for additional resources

I was looking for some to. Thanks. I didn''t start with console-based stuff, just ordinary no project programming(I also use Dev-C++), but now I can probably do WinMain() and stuff now(hopefully)

If you care about her/him, you''''ll listen
If you love her/him, you''''ll heal his/her wounds
If you like her/him, you''''ll do all of the above, and help her/him in need

A person who cares is a person who never speaks