Thread: Ways to better programming skill

  1. #1
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    Ways to better programming skill

    Hello, all. As you may have noticed I am new to this forum, and I have only started in C++ class since August 6th 2003. This is not a beckoning for help with a specific piece of code, nor is it trying to cheat for class.

    My worst problem is writing for loops, I believe. A simple program such as a Black Jack game confuses me. (You know... deal the cards, ask for a hit, if its over 21 then give a win to the computer, if not and its greater than...etc. etc.)

    I've been giving this as much effort as I can, though perhaps other factors are hindering my progress. I just for some reason lost it when we hit for loops.

    So for my question...

    Do you have any suggestions for learning methods in C++ ? Any suggestions for the writing of algorithms?

    I've seen them posted on sites elsehwere, but I'm trying to gather as much input as possible.

    Thanks in advance, and sorry for the trouble.
    -Unferth

  2. #2
    Registered User major_small's Avatar
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    just try to follow the class, and if you really have trouble with something ask your professor and/or look it up on sites like this one (FAQ/tutorial)... i can't remember any good sources of info offhand, except for http://www.cppreference.com
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  3. #3
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    i have a quick question:

    do you go to fullsail?

    start C++ in early august... write blackjack in late september... sounds exactly like fullsail curriculum
    I came up with a cool phrase to put down here, but i forgot it...

  4. #4
    Grammar Police HybridM's Avatar
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    There's a point you go through when learning for your first time, and I think it's either the time you quit, or stick with it til the end.

    I can't speak for everyone, but I know this happened to me. I tried to learn C++ or java about 4 times before this time.

    My suggestion is READ like the wind*. Anything you don't understand, read about it over and over, and from different sources until you get it.

    this is a for loop:
    Code:
    int x;
    
    for(x=0 ; x<10 ; ++x)
    { 
         cout << x << endl;
    }
    this sets x to 0, and loops while x<10 and each time it loops it increments x.

    the loop will print out x 10 times ( 0 - 9 ).


    *I know the wind can't really read.
    Thor's self help tip:
    Maybe a neighbor is tossing leaf clippings on your lawn, looking at your woman, or harboring desires regarding your longboat. You enslave his children, set his house on fire. He shall not bother you again.

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  5. #5
    Senior Member joshdick's Avatar
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    I agree with HybridM. That's the strategy I used to get comfortable with classes and OOP, and that's what I'm doing now to get pointers down pat.

    If coding BlackJack seems overwhelming, just try to code the modules needed for it. That's what I did to program card games. First, I wrote a good card class. Then a function to deal cards. Then a function to add or remove cards from a hand. It took me quite some time until I was done improving my card class. Just keep at it. There are countless resources available to you not the least of which is all of us
    FAQ

    "The computer programmer is a creator of universes for which he alone is responsible. Universes of virtually unlimited complexity can be created in the form of computer programs." -- Joseph Weizenbaum.

    "If you cannot grok the overall structure of a program while taking a shower, you are not ready to code it." -- Richard Pattis.

  6. #6
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    I think I just cannot give you much advice as I learnt by myself. Even if I gave you the way I learnt, I don't think you could find it any use. (Besides, my method was one of the worst I guess)

    Anyway, the question is, did you understand the theory? Because if so, it is only a matter of syntax and it is easily solved by either reading a lot of different papers/codes or trying it by yourself.

    My only piece of advice would be that you should try a whole lot of sample code to see for yourself what's happening and not only read other's notes. (It is there that a compiler such as Inprise's one is great as it build very quickly compared to the one I use for example)

    Probably nothing to do with the thread but could anyone tell me what is exactly "fullsail curriculum"? Thanks.

  7. #7
    Registered User major_small's Avatar
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    learning C++ kinda came easy for me, because I tried to learn it one summer on my own (using mostly this site), but that didn't work out too well... then I took a high school programming class (I didn't know what language until I took it) and realized it was C++... when I realized I already knew the entire course, I went on to build on what I already know, and quickly became the best in my class...

    what I'm trying to say is, if you have free time and you're caught up in your class, learn ahead of your class... even if you don't know what the class is learning next, they'll most likely encounter what you study eventually anyway, and that way you can compare the way you do things with the way the class is taught to do things (which isn't always right anyway)...

    now I feel like I'm rambling, and somebody, somewhere will probably say I'm wrong, but oh well... take it or leave it.
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  8. #8
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    I love you people, I really do

    And yes.. what is this "Fullsail Cirriculum"... ?

    Well occasionally I have the syntax errors, but the concept was weird for me... and I have absolutely no idea why. I guess just the counters or something *shrugs*. Other than that I'm doing well.


    Reading source code will do me well though.. y just seeing the teacher scribble code without much explanation doesn't help.

    Test tomorrow over Functions ^^ Wish me luck.

    Thanks again!
    -unferth

  9. #9
    plzduntlakliekthiskthx
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    Fullsail is a college. They teach game programming as well as some other related stuff (production etc...)

  10. #10
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    Oh, I see. I'm a Junior in HS.

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