Thread: newbie q!

  1. #1
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    newbie q!

    ahh, well i took a look at the code to do a simple thing as create a windows application that shows you the words hello world!

    When do you know when you should start taking a look at windows programs?

    How long will it take untill you will master the skills to even wright small windows programs?
    What skills should you have before you even try?
    It just seemed like a lot of things to keep inside your brain.

    I know it takes a while but, a year? 2,3,4?
    and what is it that keeps you going?

    And how do you comme up with ideas about what to do?
    tell me about why you are programming!

  2. #2
    Handy Andy andyhunter's Avatar
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    You should have a strong grasp of the C language prior to attempting to program the windows API. This includes, but not limited to:

    basic C logic
    variables(types, defining, accessing, passing to functions)
    functions(creating, using, calling, defining)
    pointers
    working with header files
    structures (using, creating)
    classes(using, creating, deriving from)
    C runtime library

    That should get you started.

  3. #3
    Banned master5001's Avatar
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    Whoa slow down buddy. It sounds to me like you are ambitious and it may be pretty soon for you so long as your ability to perform matches your will to learn. It does vary depending on how fast you grasp concepts. I started doing windows applications 6 months after I started learning C. I know some people who *gasp* swear by pascal and learned C specifically for doing something with the Win32 API. So I can safely say, timewise, you will be ready to learn it sometime between now and when you die

    Seriously though, in programming necessity is the mother of needing to learn something new. So you will know when you are ready because you will need to learn how to do it in order to accomplish a project you are trying to write.

  4. #4
    VA National Guard The Brain's Avatar
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    I have been console programming in c++ for almost 2 years. I'm in no rush to get into Windows API.
    • "Problem Solving C++, The Object of Programming" -Walter Savitch
    • "Data Structures and Other Objects using C++" -Walter Savitch
    • "Assembly Language for Intel-Based Computers" -Kip Irvine
    • "Programming Windows, 5th edition" -Charles Petzold
    • "Visual C++ MFC Programming by Example" -John E. Swanke
    • "Network Programming Windows" -Jones/Ohlund
    • "Sams Teach Yourself Game Programming in 24 Hours" -Michael Morrison
    • "Mathmatics for 3D Game Programming & Computer Graphics" -Eric Lengyel

  5. #5
    yes, I'm registered!!! algi's Avatar
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    Books say that you should be able to

    be familiar with variables
    functions
    classes
    loops
    statements
    pointers
    references

  6. #6
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    Depends. I've only been using C++ for a few weeks and I've had no problems learning how to do windows programs. In fact, I'm well underway into making my first game in DirectX...

    So it varies from person to person. You'll know when you're ready

  7. #7
    Cat without Hat CornedBee's Avatar
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    Books might be wrong. Yes, those things are important, but they are the core of programming. And no, for the WinAPI you actually don't need classes or references.

    I'd say, above all, be familiar with pointers and dynamic memory. Perhaps with function pointers.
    All the buzzt!
    CornedBee

    "There is not now, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be, any programming language in which it is the least bit difficult to write bad code."
    - Flon's Law

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