Thread: I want to learn C++ (: How shall I start?

  1. #1
    Dumb to the power of 999. Wall's Avatar
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    I want to learn C++ (: How shall I start?

    Hi, I'm new here.

    I've learnt JavaScript, PHP and MySQL and all that web designing stuff but now I want to start some real programming stuff. I've recently become quite interested in learning C++. but I have no idea how to start off. I know that I need a compiler and that, but which compiler should I choose? Where should I learn C++? Where can I learn about the history of the language? Thanks. :P (I've asked a lot of questions xD)

    - Wall

  2. #2
    Registered User
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    this is a good one http://www.cplusplus.com .... and also look at the FAQ http://faq.cprogramming.com/cgi-bin/smartfaq.cgi

    good luck and have fun

  3. #3
    meow nbk's Avatar
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    Umm... a book.... and Dev-C++( Dev-C++ ) I won't recommend a book since I can't... but I'm currently reading the 21 days book(Which is awesome compared to C++ for Dummies).

    Last edited by nbk; 08-17-2004 at 04:34 PM.

  4. #4
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    i got a book called C++ "black book" which i learned C++ from, it comes with a CD too pretty cool. pretty pricey but i learned C++ off it when i was 13. (i still use it for code refrence)

    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

    i paid 60 or 80 somehting like that when i bought it from the store. thats the book off amazon.com (obviously a good deal)

    btw im only 15, this book isnt anchient or anything

  5. #5

  6. #6
    Registered User
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    ok try posting those links again, just copy and paste the address into the forum it makes them links stop trying to type in HTML crap the link is all messed up

  7. #7

  8. #8
    I'm less than sure.... abyssphobia's Avatar
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    also take a look at this

    http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/index.html
    learn basics&much more

    http://www.hal-pc.org/~johnnie2/windows.html
    when you feel you are ready for win32 (and knows the basic) this one is good

    http://www.course.com/catalog/produ...FTOKEN=32569495

    get fun!!!!!
    _____________________________________

    love,

    abyssphobia
    Have I crossed the line?

  9. #9
    Registered User
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    I think I should give you some advices:
    Always post your code between code tags
    Search the forum for questions similar to yours, all questions are pretty similar when you begin, they become very different when you are a little bit more experienced

  10. #10
    Some Guy
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    I would also recommend to buying a book. I was thinking I could get learn C++ using the internet, but purchasing a book is so much greater and convenient. I'm using Starting Out With C++ ($11 used). Also, be sure to code a lot, not just read.

  11. #11
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    I always had trouble with windows programming. There aren't alot of good tutorials online for it. Nitty Gritty Windows Programming with C++ was a cheap buy on Amazon and I got the basics down within a few hours. It's pretty good for beginning. And starting is really the hardest part. Although, you should have a fair understanding of the regular Dos programs before you go into windows.
    Code:
    #include <iostream.h>
    int var;
    int test();
    int main() { 
     cout << "Please input your language:\n 1. C (C,C++,C#)\n 2. VB\n 3. Other\n";
     cin >> var;
     return test(); }
    int test() {  
     if(var == 1) {
      cout << "Y0u 4r3 t3h 1337\n";
      system("PAUSE");
      return main(); }
     else if(var == 2) {
      cout << "N00B3R!\n";
      system("PAUSE");
      return main(); }
     else if(var == 3) {
      cout << "You were not thought of.\n";
      system("PAUSE");
      return main(); }
     else {      
      return 0; }}

  12. #12
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    Although I don't buy many books for programming, I lean towards the dark side of the net, I do know there are some good books that are free. Bad part about it is......the lower the price, the lower the quality. Although that is not always true in everything, I think it fits well with C++ books. Prices for books can get down right ridiculous. A good book will cost anywhere from $50-$100, so don't buy the good books unless you actually plan to do something that will make you feel better using C++.

    I could give you some links to some more books if you dont find anything you are looking for. I have spent a long time searching for free books so I got quite a long list of sites.
    Knowledge is power and I want it all

    -0RealityFusion0-

  13. #13
    Hardware Engineer
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    Welcome Wall,

    I assume that you have already checked-out the getting started link here at cprogramming.com.

    COMPILERS
    I recommend that you start-out with something popular, so that you can get help. It's usually a pain to get a compiler (or IDE) installed, configured, and working, so don't give-up on the compiler if it takes you a few hours (or longer) to get your first "Hello World" program working!

    The Bloodshed DEV-C++ package (recommended above by nbk) is very popular. The free Borland compiler is also very popular, but it works from the "command line". (It can make Windows programs, but it is not a Windows-GUI program itself.) You can get Microsoft Visual C++ (which is what I use most of the time) for about $100. You can find links to several free compilers at TheFreeCountry.com.

    BOOKS
    I agree with gflores. Online tutorials can be a great introduction, and a handy reference, but most tutorials simply don't have as much information or structure as a several-hundred page book. (Of course, all of this "information" is on the net... if you know what you are looking for, and if you can find it.)

    My beginning book was Teach Yourself C++ In 21 Days, by Jesse Liberty. It is easy to understand, and well structured for self-study, with questions & exercises at the end of each chapter (day), and answers & solutions in the back. But, whenever I recommend this book, I include a WARNING - SOME PEOPLE HATE ALL OF THE "21 DAYS" BOOKS.

    Another often-recommended beginning book (which I don't own, but I've never read anything negative about) is Accelerated C++, by Koenig & Moo

  14. #14
    Dumb to the power of 999. Wall's Avatar
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    :d

    Thanks everyone. I think I have enough info to get started now !
    My head hurts.

  15. #15
    Dumb to the power of 999. Wall's Avatar
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    I've finally got a book. The name of it is:

    Ivor Horton's Beginning
    ANSI C++
    The complete language
    Third edition

    It costed 43gbp (about $70 I think) and has about 1100 pages. I've found it very helpful so far.
    My head hurts.

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