Thread: Newbie ~ a problem with learning C++

  1. #16
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    thank you all for your information, you have helped me a bit and, i will try out most of these suggestions, thanks

  2. #17
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    If I had one suggestion, it would be not to learn C++ as a first language. I love C++ and the power it gives, but C++ is really like a bunch of very different languages bunched together.

    Another reason I'd recommend not to learn C++ is that I don't know a single good introductory book for it. C++ has tons of very good books for people who know how to program another language, but the books like Deitel and Savitch that my college used for introductory classes are both pretty badly written IMO, very dry, and difficult to learn from on ones own.

    You might want to give Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs a chance. You won't learn object oriented programming from it, but it will teach you to break problems down into much simpler ones, how to glue the solutions to the small problems into solutions to big ones, and you won't have to worry about getting lost in some of the really nasty corners of C/C++ (though you'll type a seemingly never-ending string of parentheses). The language the book uses is Scheme, but it's really a book about programming way more than it is a book about a programming language.

    SICP is a world class book, and it's available for free at http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/
    It's a difficult book, and maybe it's a bit much to ask of someone at 15. Then again, the book is very well written, and you'll have the benefit of videos given by MIT professors available to you for free also at http://www.swiss.ai.mit.edu/classes/...sman-lectures/

    I don't know if it's still used now, but I know it was the book MIT used in its intro to programming course up to a year or two ago.

    Even if you're not interested in starting with SICP, if you love computer science it's a lot of fun, and you should give it a look sometime. The two guys who give the video lectures are brilliant.

  3. #18
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    Well 3rdcoast, My cousin can program, idk how well, but he knows how to, and he really recommended a book for me called "Sams teach yourself C++ in 10 minutes." He said it were 10 minute lesson type things that build on eachother, so since he said it was a good book, I'm going to try that out. But I would really love to learn C++ as a first instead of learning these other languages to get to there. Since OOP is what I'm looking to go to, I would rather I started and stayed with C++ thanks though

  4. #19
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    If you're going to pick up a title that proclaims it can teach you a language in fixnum minutes or days, check the reviews. Chances are if it's recommended here, or other professionals like it, it's a good resource. Personally, I've had a poor experience with those types of books and could have learned a lot more from a different book.

  5. #20
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    Gaming is a great choice for learning to program. I started programming when I was 14 using SDL and OpenGL not much later. I soon learned that it wasn't learning c++ that would be the biggest hardship, but tackling the mathematical challenges of game development. I had to learn/use math that I would be taught in later years of my high school. I'm now 17 and working with the SourceSDK to develop a mod which is a revamped versions of the Sourceforts mod, called Construct.
    I will also be taking an "Advanced Placement CS" course this coming year, which will focus on teaching java. If you like me your biggest fear will be that your first CS professor will be a complete idiot because he teaches Java

    Anyway, a few tips for things which really helped me out when I first got started.
    Use IRC. It's online chat boards which allow you to get nearly instant feedback on simple questions. Check out xchat for an IRC client (I linked to the free windows version). Check out the ##c++ channel on the freenode network.
    Also check out gamedev.net for game development forums/help/resources. (they have their own IRC channel as well).

    For SDL tutorials check out lazyfoo.net.

    I wouldn't go 3d until you have a good idea of how to use the language.

    And finally if you find c++ too hard, try python.

    Hope I was of help,

    Joe
    A quality job is not necessarily a *good* job. A quality job is, by definition, conformance to requirements. Therefore a *good* job, may not be a quality job.

  6. #21
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    thnx Joe, I'll try those out

  7. #22
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    In companies, you normally have something called "Code Review".
    Aaaahhh.. so it DOES exist! Wish my company was like that.... more and more I find that we just do something, we just create classes without a thouroughly studied architecture. Bosses don't seem to understand that thinking before doing costs less time and money than cleaning up trash in the end!

    Sorry for this extremely unuseful post, but it reliefs..

  8. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by MarkZWEERS View Post
    Aaaahhh.. so it DOES exist! Wish my company was like that.... more and more I find that we just do something, we just create classes without a thouroughly studied architecture. Bosses don't seem to understand that thinking before doing costs less time and money than cleaning up trash in the end!

    Sorry for this extremely unuseful post, but it reliefs..
    Astounding levels of ignorance, really. To quote my colleague: Managers should be forced to read (and understand) the last chapters of Stroustrup's The C++ Language (chapter 23-25 in the third edition). Unfortunately, managers often become managers because they are good at other things than understanding the software that the company produces. This does not mean ALL managers, but certainly some are not so good at understanding either of the software itself, or the finer points in difference between a good design and a quick hack. I'm all in favour of prototyping and trying things out, but you shouldn't then sell that as a the final product.

    --
    Mats
    Compilers can produce warnings - make the compiler programmers happy: Use them!
    Please don't PM me for help - and no, I don't do help over instant messengers.

  9. #24
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    I didn't say to expect to create anything when jumping in over your head, I simply said that doing that for me 'forced' (and by forced, I mean ticked me off, and MADE me learn why I was screwing up) to learn the concepts in a CORRECT way. If you don't need to complete such code for actual use, I find this to be a GREAT way to learn. Nothing teaches better than your own mistakes.

    FlyingIsFun1217

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