I'm pretty new to programming and C++, so I have some newbie questions (sorry if this is not the right forum for these questions or if they've been asked before). I'm just trying to get a few thngs straight.
1. What do I need to learn besides the C++ language itself to be able to program Windows type programs? Do I need to have all of that MS Visual C++ software or can it be done with a compiler like Dev-C++? Also, before I forget, what is that .NET stuff? Do I need to know about that also?
2. What about game programming? Does this have any ties to Windows programming? Is DirectX programming a whole separate thing from C++ altogether?
That's all I can think of for now. Thanks in advance-