I''m a ASP/Visual Basic programmer by profession, am familiar with COM, as well as java-script, so i''ve got programming fundamentals down. I''m interested in learning C++/DirectX game programming, and need a little advice. I''ve got Microsoft Visual C++ off of the Visual Studio 6, so i''m set for my compiler. I''ve got Andre Lamothe''s "Windows Game Programming for Dummies", as well as his "Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Guru''s" book. I''ve got rudimentary C++ down. Would the dummies book be a good place to start, or should i really go back and read my "Learn C++ in 21 days", even though i''ve read a few other books and understand stack and pointers and so forth. I''m not really sure what level i need to be to start in on Windows Programming. Thanks in advance.

Andre''s books aren''t really going to teach you C/C++ (if I remember, though, they barely use C++), so if you''re not comfortable with them, you''ll struggle.

However, since you already own them, you may as well start reading, and if you get stuck, go back and read a C or C++ book.

Btw, the material in Dummies was rewritten and included in Tricks, so you really don''t need to read both. Tricks has information beyond what was covered in Dummies, and is slightly newer, so you''re probably better off with it.

My overall best bet would be to go back and ready my "Learn C++ in 21 days" book then, correct? well, i might as well not get too far ahead of myself in this.

can anyone recommend a good C++ (preferably windows programming, but whatever works) learning book? as i've stated above i've got the Sams book, but i'd like to hear what others recommmend.

[edited by - jrb171079 on March 13, 2002 12:50:37 PM]

C++: ''Accelerated C++'' by Koenig and Moo
Win32: ''Programming Windows'' by Charles Petzold

My advice is to stay away from books that try to teach Windows and C++ at the same time, it just doesn''t work. If money is a problem I suggest you try Bruce Eckel''s online version of ''Thinking in C++''. Also, winprog.org has a good intro tutorial on Windows programming.

quote: Original post by kvh
C++: ''Accelerated C++'' by Koenig and Moo
Win32: ''Programming Windows'' by Charles Petzold

My advice is to stay away from books that try to teach Windows and C++ at the same time, it just doesn''t work. If money is a problem I suggest you try Bruce Eckel''s online version of ''Thinking in C++''. Also, winprog.org has a good intro tutorial on Windows programming.

I second this. The "learn Visual C++" etc style books that try to teach both aspects are not too hot. I learned just dos-style C++ first and applied windows techniques later on when I had some confidence in C++ itself.

The book that was standard at MIT for a while was C++ Primer Plus by Stephen Prata. Of course, I was taking a course at the same time that I used the book, so i'm not sure if it was the course that was good, or if it was the book that was good.

It talks about all aspects of C++ very thoroughly -- but it is also written to teach (thus it is not the best reference manual, but it will teach you.) It also will not tell you how to use Visual C++ (which is actually a good thing). Once you've finished a fundamental C++ book I suggest "Effective C++" to learn how to actually use C++ in the real world. =)

Also, you prolly know this, but if you are trying to just do vanilla C++ within Visual C++ go to File, New, and under the projects tab select "Win32 Console Application" type the project name, then press ok. Then select "an empty project" and press Finish. Then to add a new file (like main.cpp) goto file, new, then under the files tab choose C++ source file, type a name, and press ok. This will allow you to use VC++ as though it were a dos C++ compiler. Goto build, execute to compile and run the code. Walla! Now if you go buy a vanilla C++ book you'll know how to run the samples in VC++.

Random story -- In high school I took a college level C++ course at my local community college (my H.S. did not teach C++). I'm reading the course listing and it says, Professor: Prata. Text: Prata. I'm thinking, "Great, typo." Turns out that Prata was actually teaching at the local community college! He's a nice guy, a little bit shy, but generally nice and humourous.

DmGoober

[edited by - DmGoober on March 14, 2002 9:06:37 PM]

C++: The Complete Reference by Herbert Schildt is a very good tutorial and reference book. I use it all the time.

Programming Windows, The Definitive Guide to the Win32 API by Charles Petzold is "the" book to get for windows programming.

Whatever you do, don''t buy any of those learn c++ and vc++ at the same time books. Having a good understanding of c/c++ first will save a lot of pain when you start learning the win32 api.

quote: Original post by Poisler
C++: The Complete Reference by Herbert Schildt is a very good tutorial and reference book. I use it all the time.

Bullschildt!

Books I keep on my shelf always:

1. C++ Primer Plus
2. C++ Programming Language Bjarne Stroustrup
3. Win32 Programming Charles Petzold
4. MFC Programming Charles Petzold

I really liked Charles Petzoldz approach at trying to teach you windows programming. Very straight forward and thorough. Good books.

I have to agree with KVH, the books that try to combine C++ and Windows Programming tend to be much more difficult to learn from.

quote: Original post by AlekM
4. MFC Programming Charles Petzold

Oh come on, let''s give Jeff Prosise credit where it''s due!