Thread: What to do after learning the basics?

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    5

    What to do after learning the basics?

    I'm kind of lost. It seems like my textbooks almost exclusively teach how to work in command prompt style programs with mainly iostream. I've been over use of classes, loops, structures, arrays, vectors, ect. I don't really know what to do from here? How does one bridge the gap from beginner to intermediate.

  2. #2
    C++まいる!Cをこわせ!
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Inside my computer
    Posts
    24,654
    Decide what you want to do. Do you want to GUI apps? Then pick your GUI library of choice and start learning it.
    If you choose a popular library, chances are that there will be tutorials and/or books.
    You can also deepen your knowledge with some intermediate books. Learn design patters, good practices, etc.
    And aside from that, all that you need is experience. Lots and lots of experience. And the only way you're going to get that is to program, program, program.

    I know of a few libraries for C++. Among them are Qt, wxWidgets, MFC (not free), GTK (?). But there are lots of others.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    5
    What are some popular and well documented (and hopefully cross platform) GUI libraries?
    Last edited by MrBojangels; 06-27-2010 at 06:21 PM.

  4. #4
    Lurking whiteflags's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    9,613
    You should write a program. You know enough C++ to do that, even if it won't have a graphical interface.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    5
    Quote Originally Posted by whiteflags View Post
    You should write a program. You know enough C++ to do that, even if it won't have a graphical interface.
    I've written plenty with iostream; I learned what I know taking a C++ class. I just can't really think of anything to set as a goal and how to pursue it.

    I want to learn more but there isn't anything in specific I want to write.

  6. #6
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    The edge of the known universe
    Posts
    39,660
    > What are some popular and well documented (and hopefully cross platform) GUI libraries?
    The ones Elysia listed in the previous reply.
    Wikipedia has a large list of GUI toolkits.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    5
    Do you guys feel like it would be more worth wild to get a book focusing on software development/OOP or to grab a book on QT?

  8. #8
    The Autodidact Dante Wingates's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Valhalla
    Posts
    56
    Can't you simply get both?

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    5
    Yes and I will, but which should come first?

  10. #10
    In the Land of Diddly-Doo g4j31a5's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    476
    Quote Originally Posted by MrBojangels View Post
    Yes and I will, but which should come first?
    OOP first, then the others. If you can, grab a copy of the book Design Patterns from The Gang of Four. Which is the next mandatory book after Bjarne's IMHO.
    ERROR: Brain not found. Please insert a new brain!

    “Do nothing which is of no use.” - Miyamoto Musashi.

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. Learning the basics
    By sounz in forum C++ Programming
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-16-2010, 03:32 PM
  2. Machine Learning with Lego Mindstorms
    By DavidP in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 01-30-2009, 02:34 PM
  3. Best Approach for Learning
    By UCnLA in forum C Programming
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 03-21-2008, 02:35 AM
  4. Need Help On a Simple Bank Program
    By oobootsy1 in forum C# Programming
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 08-08-2005, 10:51 AM
  5. Learning Rate Of C++
    By Krak in forum C++ Programming
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 01-29-2003, 01:53 PM