Guys, I kinda just started C++ with the book C++ Primer. I also have Bjarne's C++ Standard Library. The thing is, it gets so incredibly hard sometimes in the book. Like the exercises at the back of each section/chapter. Sometimes I just can't do them without looking back to check up on code and stuff. Did this happen for you? I really don't want to get too discouraged..I want to learn this.
-Kai
It takes a lot of practise to become familiar with anthing, especially C++! But keep at it, and the main thing is play around with whatever code you're doing. See what works, see what doesn't, think about it, see if you understand it. That's the essence, understanding, not knowing!
lol i have the same prob mate, im still learning. been learning for bout a month now.
C++ is a lil bastard to learn, but it is worth it i guess.
>The thing is, it gets so incredibly hard sometimes in the book.
Yea, you were expecting it to be easy? It takes years of hard work and dedication to learn how to program well, and most of the path is littered with rocks and potholes. It may sound harsh, but if you get discouraged enough to quit and don't come back shortly after, you probably weren't cut out for programming to begin with. Everything about programming is a struggle, from start to finish, even after you've "learned" the language. But it's worth it.
My best code is written with the delete key.
In fact, I don't recommend you to read Bjarne Stroustrup's book until you have learned quite a lot about the language itself because Bjarne goes into details which you can't understand if you don't know the base stuff.
I agree. Programming is hard... C++ is a hard programming language. I'd say you could learn most of Standard C++ in two semesters of college classes. Then, you could start learning something specialized, like graphics/GUI, network programming, etc. (I've been "fooling around" with C++ for several years, but I'm still not an expert.)
That's normal for any technical subject (math, science, engineering). You can't read a technical book the same way you read a novel... You have to read, re-read, study and re-read some parts again, and maybe research the parts you don't understand. You could read your entire math book in about a week, but it takes a semester or two to really learn everything in the book!Sometimes I just can't do them without looking back to check up on code and stuff.
You will always need reference books and materials. Professional programmers all have books and online references, and most programmers are likely researching something every day!
C++ is a professional, systems-level programming language. It's not really a language for hobbyists. It is certainly possible to become good at C++ in your spare time, but to be honest, if you're just programming for fun, you'd be far better off with a language like C# or python.
"I saw a sign that said 'Drink Canada Dry', so I started"
-- Brendan Behan
Free Compiler: Visual C++ 2005 Express
If you program in C++, you need Boost. You should also know how to use the Standard Library (STL). Want to make games? After reading this, I don't like WxWidgets anymore.Want to add some scripting to your App?
So... the millions of C++ programmers out there, they all have jobs programming with C++?
I think not
In the meantime I'll enjoy learning and programming in C++ for fun and as an hobbyist.
Originally Posted by brewbuck:
Reimplementing a large system in another language to get a 25% performance boost is nonsense. It would be cheaper to just get a computer which is 25% faster.
I am learning to program C++ partially as a hobbist, partially as a student, my job uses no C++ but the concepts I have learned in the language has made it really easy to learn RAD languages easily, (though C# and BASIC anything is forbidden at work lol)
Plenty of hobbyists program in C++ (and C). What do you call kde, k3b, or any other large scale openly developed application? Most of them aren't programmer's source of income, but instead a hobby they work on in their spare time.
Plenty of real applications are coded in languages other than C and C++ as well.
I love your companythough C# and BASIC anything is forbidden at work
Obviously they don't ALL have jobs, but most of the good ones do. C++ takes a long time to master. If you're not actually working with it 40 hours a week, chances are, you won't have the time to master it.Originally Posted by Mario F.
So... the millions of C++ programmers out there, they all have jobs programming with C++?
I think not
I've worked for nearly 7 years programming with C++ as my main language. That's over 10000 hours of programming, and I still don't consider myself a guru.
I never said you couldn't. But if all you want to do is write some code for fun, you'd be more productive in python.In the meantime I'll enjoy learning and programming in C++ for fun and as an hobbyist.
"I saw a sign that said 'Drink Canada Dry', so I started"
-- Brendan Behan
Free Compiler: Visual C++ 2005 Express
If you program in C++, you need Boost. You should also know how to use the Standard Library (STL). Want to make games? After reading this, I don't like WxWidgets anymore.
He didn't say it was only for professionals. You can tell from the posts that over half of the members here are students and hobbyists. Lots of students take C++ programming, and never become professional programmers.
I'm not a programmer. Mostly, I program as a hobby and I do some C/C++ and BASIC programming for my job. I've never taken a C or C++ class, but I've had classes in a couple of other programming languages.
Last edited by DougDbug; 06-06-2006 at 04:28 PM.
It is possible to achieve great results without actually mastering C++. C++ is really not that difficult of a language as the OP put it. It's actually a very intuitive language once you come to think of it. The syntax, the keywords and some concepts can be bewildering at first (boy! do I know that). However there's a natural logic to them. There are few places on C++ where you are left asking yourself things like "why isn't this curly brace followed by a coma?" when you start understanding the grammar. Many, many, other languages are poorly implemented and are not so... "natural" as far as the semantics and grammar are concerned.
And trust me, I'm a newbie to the language. If I say so... maybe I feel it so.
Mastering C++ is a thing for only a few good heads, in my humble opinion. Do I want to code drivers? Maybe deal with interrupts? Or do I simply want to grab ready made graphics libraries and code some fun game I can share on Sourceforge? The knowledge needed is still a big task, I agree. But much more manageable and very compatible with a hobbyist approach to things.
Let's just not put C++ that high on the scale of things. It's a programming language. Period. The learning process can and should be scaled.
Originally Posted by brewbuck:
Reimplementing a large system in another language to get a 25% performance boost is nonsense. It would be cheaper to just get a computer which is 25% faster.
OMG! I've been at it for almost 20 years and am still learning. There is probably nobody who can truthfully claim that they have mastered the entire language. What's nice about c++ is that you don't have to be a master of the entire language -- learn the basics and then master the reset as time, opportunity and experience permits.
just learn c++ in small chunks of code
see what each peice of syntax means , etc
its easy i find learning in small peices
