Windows Apps in Dev-C++

Ok here i go:

I am 16 years old and mainly program in a few BASIC Languages, PHP and a small bit of VB. I would like to learn C++ and have downlaoded and installed Dev-C++. But from what i can see the tutorials do not go very far.

I would like to, for the moment, concentrate on Windows App programming rather than console programming with the view to learn console at a later date for games etc. So are there any books that cover Windows App programming in a compiler like Dev-C++ or are there and online tutorials on it.

Thank You,
- MP

IMO it would be very difficult, if now impossible, to learn to write windows apps without having a strong understanding of generic C++, and for that you would really need to do console programming first because it is the easiest way.

~ Paul

I know, but i can jump in at the deep end and learn from that.

I just need a book or a tut or somming.

If i find it too hard i will go and do console too, but for the moment i want to do windows.

There are a couple of links from the Programming FAQ [FAQ/Other References/Tutorials]
There are also some "simple" Windows examples at www.cplusplus.com

And, to quote myself from a previous post:

WARNING - C++ is more difficult than BASIC (all these mysterious library functions... classes, etc.) Windows programming is even more complicated than that! For example, "Hello World" is one line of BASIC, about 5 lines of C++ , and Petzold's Hello Windows is about 50 lines!!! ("Programming Windows" by Charles Petzold)

Ok, well given half the chance i would go an buy visual C++ but no money.

I am very good at picking up new languages. I picked up and used correctly Perl in my work experience. Made a comple calendar and events system in 4 days without knowing the language.

I know C++ i much more complicated, but i learn by example not tutorial. I change things in code and see how it effects things. Then once i have a general knowolege i goto forums ask questions and then buy some refence books.

Thanks,
- MP

i would go an buy visual C++ but no money.

You don't need Visual C++ to write windows programs. The dev c++ compiler will work, and the free Borland compiler will work too... But the Borland has a command-line interface. That is, it can make windows programs, but it doesn't run like a windows program itself.

You can get Visual C++ for about $100. Is that still a lot for a 16 year old? (It was a lot of money back when I was 16.) If money is tight, you'd be better-off getting a free compiler and spending your money on books... and computers... and internet access...

[EDIT]
The other book I always recommend, besides Petzold, is "Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days" by Jesse Liberty. (There's no windows stuff in this beginning book.)

Well i am not stipped for cash, i can get hold of C++ or even the latest studio if i plead with my Dad. He should have a few coppies flying around at work, like ehem the Windows 2000 pro we comendered.

But i would rather learn from the main programming for commercial reasons. Like there are just about no limitations on what you can do with somming made in Dev-C++. Basicly i am aiming for games or apps programming. I have been doing games programming for about a year and a bit now, not much just looking at other peoples and getting contacts from within the industry things like that. My web development skills are my fav, but get a bit repettative. My last 2 sites only needed spins on my News and Gallery systems, no brain taxing stuff.

So i am going to learn C++ and make a forum/portal system if posiblie over the summer break (i get 3 months ) and then continue on them at a slower rate while i am at college.

Then i am hitting Uni doing somming like a Comuter Science course. Hoping to do software engineering, games programming and some hardware/firmware work.

Then with a degree i hope to either move to the US and continue my PHP, goto a games dev company, or goto a software engineering company.