Thread: Using cin with 8-bit integers?

I know this is a bit late, but I figure I should add my two cents.

I'm not looking to program game engines, or do stuff in assembly; I just want to learn programming to make games (and perhaps get a job in the IT field coding other things). My interest in C++ largely comes from the fact that it's a high-performance language that (when used skillfully) doesn't bloat the system requirements.

If getting a better understanding of computer architecture will help me write significantly faster code, then I'd be happy to fit it somewhere in my learning regimen.

Originally Posted by jimblumberg

When I went to school a prerequisite for any programming class was an Introduction to Computer Science class that included the basics of computers and operating systems, including what a processor was, a disk drive was, and memory was, and the basics of how these components interacted with each other. This included information on how a microprocessor retrieved information from the subsystems. This included things like bus sizes, and processor register sizes.

IMO if you don't know the basics of how a computer operates you'll never be a competent programmer. I'm not saying that you need deep in depth knowledge but you do need very basic knowledge to be a programmer.


Jim

Huh. For what its worth, the Intro To computer Science class I took had a very general overview of the computers' components, though it didn't do much to actually help understand all that :/ It also spent some time watching movies about how the rivalry between Bill Gates and Steve Jobs affected the IT industry.


Also for future reference, what programmer-oriented resources for understanding computer architecture would you guys recommend?

The Elements of Computing Systems: Building a Modern Computer from First Principles