Thread: How long will it take to get good at c++?

  1. #1
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    How long will it take to get good at c++?

    I picked up VB pretty well in about 4-5 months also did some ASP.NET and XML stuff.

    I know the very basics of C++ but could never seem to progress past simple DOS programs.

    I basically want a future job coding probably in C++/VB/VB.NET.

  2. #2
    Registered User Draco's Avatar
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    The time it would take and the quality of understanding would depend on many factors. If you want a good coding job expect to be getting a computer science bachelor for 4 years or at least some tech school equivalent, then probably a few more tests such as microsoft certifications, and expect that you'll fluently learn C++ and windows programming in that time.

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    All I know is that I got good at C++ in a few days, not THAT good as experts but I knew a lot of stuff like cout, namespaces, random numbers, loops, pointers, arrays, structures, classes, hmm.....
    Child who knows C++
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  4. #4
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    Depends really on yourself. It's like asking how long it will take to get good at algebra. Buy a few books, visit a few sites, and teach yourself as much as you possibly can while still understanding it to the best of your ability. You could also take classes to learn it even faster.

  5. #5
    Registered User gandalf_bar's Avatar
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    The best way to learning something is to practicing....... it......
    Make the project.....
    Make something useful....
    You learn a lot from there......
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  6. #6
    VA National Guard The Brain's Avatar
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    students in my CS classes asked our professors the same question.. their responses were similar.. on the average, c++ students in about their 6th year of study are usually able to go out and make a living with their c++ skills.. this was in contrast to java students.. who are able to make a living after about 2 to 3 years.
    • "Problem Solving C++, The Object of Programming" -Walter Savitch
    • "Data Structures and Other Objects using C++" -Walter Savitch
    • "Assembly Language for Intel-Based Computers" -Kip Irvine
    • "Programming Windows, 5th edition" -Charles Petzold
    • "Visual C++ MFC Programming by Example" -John E. Swanke
    • "Network Programming Windows" -Jones/Ohlund
    • "Sams Teach Yourself Game Programming in 24 Hours" -Michael Morrison
    • "Mathmatics for 3D Game Programming & Computer Graphics" -Eric Lengyel

  7. #7
    Registered User major_small's Avatar
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    C++ is a VERY powerful language, if you have the time to understand it... but it does take time and dedication... most tutorials you'll find (or at least the ones I found) stop at basic classes, but there's still alot more to learn from there... for example, learning basic classes is just scratching the surface of complex data types, and you'll still be working in a console window...

    one more thing: did you mean DOS programs, or are you referring to the console as a DOS window? if that's so (which I'm assuming it is), you should note that you're programming win32 applications that run in a console, which is just a text-based interface to your operating system. it's not DOS.
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    Well from VB i understand about Classes, UDT's, Functions, structures, API, COM, ADO, SQL etc.. I have an ok grasp of the C++ fundamentals, but i dont know if i really want to commit myself to full on C++ but there doesn't seem to be any other way. VB is pretty simple and you can pick up a lot in a short time.

    Pity VB couldn't have the power of C++.

    I see a lot of jobs advertised for VB/VB.NET with ASP.NET, XML and SQL Server but also even more for C++.

    I wonder if these jobs will be around for a while, i cant see C++ dying out in the near future. What i can see though will be tools to make GUI creation a lot easier in C++.

  9. #9
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    If you are looking to makeing GUI than I would suggest win32 programming. You can find some links for that in the Windows programming forums.

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    Or if you're into game-making, you may want to use SDL ( wich is a portable graphic library )

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    You'll burn with ease if u no JScript. That's just my 2c worth.
    Child who knows C++
    Using Borland C/C++ Compiler 5.5 (Command Line Version)

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    JScript sounds to me like a scripting language, and I haven't found them to be much use other than web design and small personal jobs ( a bit like batch files). I could be wrong, but I'm also pretty sure that JScript is a .NET only language, and if you're going to subject yourself to the limitations of .NET, you should at least take some of the power and use C# or something, and don't use a very low-power scripting language unless you have to - it has it's uses, but it's not widespread at all.


    I think joeyzt should just stick with what he's doing right now. He's still learning, and I think he's following a suitable and logical path. As far as how long it'll take you to get good at C++, that all depends on how much time you're going to put into it. You've already learned another language, so a lot of the concepts will come easy for you, you just need to be careful that you don't keep bad habits from VB.

  13. #13
    S Sang-drax's Avatar
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    It's quite easy to learn enough C++ to be able to do useful things, like game development or windows programming.

    But C++ is a very hard language to truly master. There are many advanced concepts within template programming and lots of weird syntax. But most people don't need to know everything and you don't have to master C++ to make good use of it.
    Last edited by Sang-drax : Tomorrow at 02:21 AM. Reason: Time travelling

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by C++Child
    You'll burn with ease if u no JScript. That's just my 2c worth.

    You could be right. I always saw C/C++, Java, PHP as all in the same style as opposed to VB/.NET/ASP/Delphi.

    But i think Java/Jscript is mainly geared toward internet coding which i never really like anyway.

  15. #15
    S Sang-drax's Avatar
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    C++ is much more advanced than Java.
    Java has very little features (in the language) compared to C++. Java has a much larger standard library and is capable of actually doing more, though.

    It's like comparing English and Latin. Latin has more advanced grammar, but lacks many useful words that we need today (I know this is only partly true).
    Last edited by Sang-drax : Tomorrow at 02:21 AM. Reason: Time travelling

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