A few questions in C++

Hello, I'm new around here.
I started learning C++ from a book about two weeks ago. I've also learned Pascal (at school) so I was familiar with some of C++ aspects, such as loops, if statements, etc...
I'm using Microsot visual C++ and i'm not programming in MFC or something like that, but in a dos console.
Anyway, I started making a simple (classic) game, in which the user controls a spacecraft, and above of him there are aliens that try to kill him. Of course I don't use any graphics becuase I don't know how. Anyway, my questions are:
1. How can I tell the compiler to go to certain x,y coordinates? (I want to "print" the spacecraft in a simple letter, and it has to be in the bottom of the window, in the center).
2. How can the compiler check if the user pressed a key, such as space, left, right...?
3. I heard from a friend that, in order to make the aliens move, I need to clear the screen and print them again, after they moved. How do I do that?
4. Most important, I want to make the screen size constant, becuase I don't want the user to change it. How do I do that?

Thank you

Well, I thought it wouldn't be a problem to answer all these questions, after all I don't want you to make the game for me.
The problem is, I can't keep going unless I get these questions answered.
another problem is that i'm not asking about specific topics that are the chapter of a book. I'm not asking, for example, about pointers, what it is, what it does, how to use, etc...
I'm asking about things that are hard to find in the internet, and thats why I went to that forum.

Platform specific, but there is a well stocked set of console API's that you can work with.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de..._functions.asp

You might be able to lock the size of the console by having a set size for your console screen, and you can get notifications of it being changed and then change it back. THings you can look at if you're still motivated after Salem's post (kinda harsh)

SetConsoleWindowInfo
SetConsoleCursorPosition

SetConsoleMode/ENABLE_WINDOW_INPUT
ReadConsoleInput/INPUT_RECORD

You can read arrow keys and get window sizing notifications from ReadConsoleInput. Change the window size to what you want with SetConsoleWindowInfo, and uh, ya.

It will depend on the system you want to run your game in. If you want portability the answer could be a library like PDCurses that allows you to code for the console with the functionality you are after. If strictly windows you can either go with PDCurses, or choose something more specific like the Conio or the WinBGIm library. And you can even use windows.h and console.h supplied with most compilers for windows.

As for the keyboard you can use the normal C/C++ input functions defined in cstdio and possibly those in iostream.

You need to learn about user input/output rom the many tutorials you can find on the web.

I started making a simple (classic) game, in which the user controls a spacecraft, and above of him there are aliens that try to kill him.

Have you written any piece of code for your game? If so, send it here.

Code:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
void display_aliens();
int main()
{
	int aliens[10][10] = {{0}, {0}}; // The array elements' number hold for alien coordinates
	// Whereas 0 means they are alive, 1 means they are dead
	int spacecraft[12] = {0}; // Same, array elements' number hold for spacecraft x coordinate
	display_aliens(); // Display aliens
	return 0;
}
void display_aliens()
{
	int i,j;
	for (i=0; i<10; i++)
	{
		cout << "\n";
		for (j=0; j<10; j++)
			cout << "Y "; // Display aliens as 'Y's
	}
}

It is important to mention I don't know classes at all.

I started learning C++ from a book about two weeks ago.

Why don't keep on with the book? I think this code will put you into trouble.

Well, I think that making a simple game will help me learn a bit. In addition, reading and reading non-stop is boring, I just have to do something. I keep reading from the book, anyway.
Tonto and Mario F., I didn't really understand you guys.
Thank you for informing me about the libraries, but I don't know what the functions are.

Originally Posted by ThWolf

Well, I think that making a simple game will help me learn a bit. In addition, reading and reading non-stop is boring, I just have to do something.

The problem might be that you choose a really hard game to start with. Why don't you try to do a pick a path kind of game? Their easier, can get very big but are playable after a very small amout of time. For example,

Code:

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
using namespace std;

void startWizardQuest();
void startKnightQuest();

string job;
string name;

int main(void) {
    cout << "Welcome to fantasy land\n";
    cout << "What is your name? ";
    
    cin >> name;
    cout << "do you want to be a wizard or knight (w/k): ";
    char answer;
    cin >> answer;
    if (answer == 'w') {
        cout << "you are a wizard\n";
        job = "wizard";
    } else {
        cout << "you are a knight!\n";
        job = "knight";
    }
    
    if (job == "wizard") {
        startWizardQuest();
    } else {
        startKnightQuest();
    }
    cout << "press enter to quit";
    cin.get(); cin.get();
	return 0;
}

void startWizardQuest() {
    cout << "\"Hello " << name << "\", said the archmage.";
    cout << " \"Do you want to practice alchemy or mysticism?\" (a/m)";
    char choice;
    cin >> choice;
    if (choice == 'a') {
        cout << "Alchemy is boring!!!\n";
        // more stuff
    } else {
        cout << "Mysticism is boring!!!\n";
        // more stuff
    }
    cout << "ahh well you lose...\n";
}
void startKnightQuest() {
    cout << "Knights are cool. You win!!!!\n";
}

Thanks for putting the time for writing this code, but those games are pretty boring and will teach me nothing, I'm certain of that, especially due to the fact that I've learned Pascal for two years in school.
Anyway, I will keep learning through my book, but I really hope I'll get these questions answered.

Edit:
BTW, in the book I learned that in order to input a string, you need a char array. Never thought that you can do "string name", for example.

Originally Posted by ThWolf

Well, I think that making a simple game will help me learn a bit. In addition, reading and reading non-stop is boring, I just have to do something. I keep reading from the book, anyway.

Which is fine, however you may want to try things differently. Instead of trying to write any practical application like a complex game, you may want to try instead just to write small snpipets of code that address the issue you are studying at that time so that you can better understand the concepts. The reason I suggest this is exactly because of what you are already experiencing; You are putting the wagon in fron of the horses and are having difficulties putting into code more complex concepts that you haven't studied yet.

Originally Posted by ThWolf

Tonto and Mario F., I didn't really understand you guys.
Thank you for informing me about the libraries, but I don't know what the functions are.

You would need to read those libraries documentation to know how to use them. You would of course also have to install them. Once you do that and start trying to use them it will be easier to come back here with more specific questions on how to use them. Although I really suggest you take my advice above in consideration. Try to first understand the programming language. You will see that most of the doubts you have now will be answered by your own study.

Good idea Mario F, I guess you're right.
As much as I want to make that game, it would be a good choice to keep studying a bit more

Well, ThWolf there is one thing I would take note of, writing a game like to one that Monkeymagic does teach you something whether you know it or not... because how many different ways are there to write that same game? more than you can count I assure you. Also, you become more familiar with the functions and flow of C++. and I also figure youll say you know all this because you learned pascal for 2 years, but C++ is a far more advanced and useful language than pascal, and much much different. I am really not trying to be rude, but recently it seems alot of people on these boards ask questions, then they return rude replies to the answers they get, just because they arnt the answers they expected, and I think it is sad, because these good programmers are taking time out of thier day to help you, should you not return some courtesy? sorry if this post is off-topic

I thought I was being pretty specific, I gave a little list of what functions you'd probably use. If you want more help, you should search for it, whether you do go for the Windows console API's or some other console library. I am not sure whether you could lock the console size with another console library, but I have not looked very hard.

Originally Posted by Raigne

Well, ThWolf there is one thing I would take note of, writing a game like to one that Monkeymagic does teach you something whether you know it or not... because how many different ways are there to write that same game? more than you can count I assure you. Also, you become more familiar with the functions and flow of C++. and I also figure youll say you know all this because you learned pascal for 2 years, but C++ is a far more advanced and useful language than pascal, and much much different. I am really not trying to be rude, but recently it seems alot of people on these boards ask questions, then they return rude replies to the answers they get, just because they arnt the answers they expected, and I think it is sad, because these good programmers are taking time out of thier day to help you, should you not return some courtesy? sorry if this post is off-topic

Ahmmm I don't remember myself saying something like "Damn you why didn't you answer my questions?!!?!?".
I thank everyone that takes some of his time to help me, and I don't recall myself being rude.