Thread: New to C++

Originally Posted by JimRoach

I too am new and trying to learn C++ for fun, however the whole compiler thing has me baffled. I tried to do that quick tutorial on "how do I us a compiler", followed it word for word, but nothing happened. I have also tried the watcom compiler with IDE and had the same issues. Any ideas on how I can figure out how to use a compiler so I can learn C++?

First thing to learn is how to communicate with other humans properly in context of programming. You'll find that the reason you have trouble with programming later on is sometimes because you fail to think things through properly. This is just what many newbie programmers go through because they have trouble thinking in "verbose terms", if I'm allowed to make that term up.

When you tell us "nothing happened" when you tried to setup a compiler, that means nothing to us. If you are having car trouble, and you tell the mechanic that it "doesn't work", or that "nothing happens" when you try to start it, he has to look at it himself or ask you 20 questions until you tell him more about the problem for him to give a proper diagnosis. Try telling a doctor that your arm doesn't work. If it turns out that you mean you experience pain while moving it, you should say exactly that.

Try to give more details about your problems. Explain to us what you've done already, and we should be able to better help you.

Lastly, enjoy C++, and programming in general, and welcome to cboard.

Originally Posted by MacGyver

First thing to learn is how to communicate with other humans properly in context of programming.

MacGyver, first thing you need to learn is how to communicate with other humans (not birds, bears, snakes or those extra terrestrials) who happen to be completely new to programming.

Originally Posted by MacGyver

You'll find that the reason you have trouble with programming later on is sometimes because you fail to think things through properly.

Because we love to write flawed code on purpose...right?

Originally Posted by MacGyver

This is just what many newbie programmers go through because they have trouble thinking in "verbose terms", if I'm allowed to make that term up.

You know, it could just be that... um, hes new? I guess it is a little odd when we usually understand all that there is to know at birth.

Originally Posted by MacGyver

When you tell us "nothing happened" when you tried to setup a compiler, that means nothing to us. If you are having car trouble, and you tell the mechanic that it "doesn't work", or that "nothing happens" when you try to start it, he has to look at it himself or ask you 20 questions until you tell him more about the problem for him to give a proper diagnosis. Try telling a doctor that your arm doesn't work. If it turns out that you mean you experience pain while moving it, you should say exactly that.

Yeah JimRoach, ya stupid son of *itch! What the hell were you thinking? Do you want to get killed? This is the CBoard, you need to be a little bit more careful.

Wow heh, that MacGyver is just oh so cool

Originally Posted by MacGyver

Lastly, enjoy C++, and programming in general, and welcome to cboard.

Ahem. I just want to let you know... I too would like to welcome you to the cboard (but only because its ok with MacGyver) and enjoy C++, ok Buddy? Enjoy C++, it is MacGyvers creation afterall. ...............But I swear to G*d if you act up or deliberately disobey our precious smart-questions faq we'll #@#@^* #@*&$^ @#$^*&@# @#$&*^#@ your whole family! Oh, and did I say welcome to the cboard yet?

Originally Posted by MacGyver

Yes, but your description of your problem was sorely lacking, to put it mildly.

Whoa, JimRoach. We can all tell you, he did indeed put it mildly. He must be in a good mood or something because he usually doesn't do that.

Originally Posted by MacGyver

So, did the code I give you work? If not, what did you try? What did you expect it to do? What actually happened?

I think he expected it to tear a hole in the universe. He must have been very surprised when it just printed "Hello, World" to his screen.

Originally Posted by ChaosEngine

in other words read this!!!

It'd be great if there was some way of forcing people to read that doc before starting programming. Perhaps with eyelids held open and Beethoven played loudly....

Yes, I agree. Instead of telling him what he needs to know, lets get him to read some lame faq written by some stoic obese individual so he can stop making our lives so difficult with his improper forum etiquette. However, its threads like this that give us the chance to increase our post counts and increase our cool-points by flaming the thread starter, throwing up a faq, and say things like "We should force people to read our smart-questions faq. Perhaps with eyelids held open and Beethoven played loudly...." Admit it ChaosEngine, you love these threads... c'mon, be honest.

Incase you are thinking of complaining about this post, think again. It would be against the smart-questions faq under On Not Reacting Like A Loser:
"Odds are you'll screw up a few times on hacker community forums — in ways detailed in this article, or similar. And you'll be told exactly how you screwed up, possibly with colourful asides. In public.
When this happens, the worst thing you can do is whine about the experience, claim to have been verbally assaulted, demand apologies, scream, hold your breath, threaten lawsuits, complain to people's employers, leave the toilet seat up, etc. Instead, here's what you do: Get over it. It's normal. In fact, it's healthy and appropriate."
So if any of you complain, I'll blow the whistle as loud as I can in your face and red card you. (and as the title of that section says, you will be reacting like a loser.. so becareful)

Originally Posted by swgh

The FAQ code is rather old to be honest. But it should be correct.

No more than 1 minute after your previous post. I have a better idea. After every word you type in a reply you can hit Submit Reply and stretch your post/reply through-out a thread simultaneously increasing your post count. This way, if your reply consists of 1000 words; you just increased your post count by 1000!

JimRoach
Tutorials (most of them) are not going to be enough for you. You need a book.

1. Drive to your local book store (B&Nobles, Books-a-gazillion*2, etc)
2. Find the computer section (you must to be IN the store to do this)
3. Look for a modern book about C++ (do not get a reference book)
4. Take the book off the shelf. Look in the book. (Place the weight of the book on your right hand, then use your left hand to peel back the cover to expose the pages)
5. If the book looks like it will teach you C++ from the ground up, close the book. (take your left hand off the book and place it under the cover of the book and lift up)
6. Walk over to a register (with the book in hand) and explain to the employee that you would like to purchase the book. (note: that you cannot walk out of the store until you pay for the book)

Books will go into detail on why you are doing what you are doing, whats happening when you are doing whatever it is your doing and even tell you what NOT to do and things to watch out for. Some will even show you clever solutions to common problems.
http://cboard.cprogramming.com/showthread.php?t=74078 Read one, practice and when you encounter a problem or you can't grasp an idea; post it. (if you post code, be sure to place [ code ] ... [/ code ] tags around it)

Originally Posted by knave

MacGyver, first thing you need to learn is how to communicate with other humans (not birds, bears, snakes or those extra terrestrials) who happen to be completely new to programming.

I take it you're telling me that I come across as relatively non-friendly, which would be an accurate assessment. I hope no one takes offense at it, since this is the Internet, and text can be taken the wrong way at times.

Originally Posted by knave

Because we love to write flawed code on purpose...right?

Mmm, no. Many times new programmers fail to think things through properly because they intuitively know how to do simple tasks, but they have very little experience with expressing how they are able to achieve the results. For example, many people are well able to tell you if a word is a palindrome, but that does not mean they can write a C/C++ function that will do the same thing. Many times they can't even break down the problem small enough to code it before they get themselves confused. Part of writing a function like this when brand new requires them to think differently than they might be used to.

Originally Posted by knave

You know, it could just be that... um, hes new?

Yes, that's exactly what I said.

Originally Posted by knave

I think he expected it to tear a hole in the universe. He must have been very surprised when it just printed "Hello, World" to his screen.

You want me to assume this guy is brand new, but that he's well familiar with a Hello, world program when he couldn't get one to work earlier? I'd rather not play 20 questions with people that tell me that the code I give them "doesn't work". I'd like to get through the garbage of lousy communications and cut to the heart of the matter. The person asking for help learns how to actually ask a question, as well as the solution to their question.

Now as I said, I'm not the most friendliest person on the planet, but to my credit I do try to assist people. I find it irritating when people either cannot or choose not to express their thoughts in some complete form that I, or anyone else that could potentially help them, are able to understand.

I naturally hope JimRoach was not offended by anything I said, since I really didn't mean anything to be offensive. From his reaction, I don't think he took my words the wrong way. In fact, I would imagine he would have more of a problem with your way of telling him how to hold and open a book, but I naturally could be wrong.

Originally Posted by MacGyver

I take it you're telling me that I come across as relatively non-friendly, which would be an accurate assessment. I hope no one takes offense at it, since this is the Internet, and text can be taken the wrong way at times.

You're right, text can be "taken the wrong way." However, in this case it wasn't. It was an "accurate assessment."

Originally Posted by MacGyver

Mmm, no. Many times new programmers fail to think things through properly because they intuitively know how to do simple tasks, but they have very little experience with expressing how they are able to achieve the results.

He doesn't even understand a compiler. This is almost random...

Is equivalent to:

Many times new bicyclers fail to balance or use the pedals properly (when at first attempting to ride a bike) because they have become too accustomed to walking and running.

And??? Does something like that even need to be said/posted? "some" of your posts remind me of cotton candy, when I try to eat it, it dissolves so quickly its like nothing was there.

Originally Posted by MacGyver

Yes, that's exactly what I said.

Yeah... that was the problem. Did you think we needed a reminder? - Thanks?

Originally Posted by MacGyver

So, did the code I give you work?

It was standard C++.

Originally Posted by MacGyver

What did you expect it to do?

Print "Hello, World" maybe?

Originally Posted by MacGyver

What actually happened?

Yeah, it definitely printed "Hello, World"

Originally Posted by MacGyver

In fact, I would imagine he would have more of a problem with your way of telling him how to hold and open a book, but I naturally could be wrong.

Naturally.

in other words read this!!!

It'd be great if there was some way of forcing people to read that doc before starting programming. Perhaps with eyelids held open and Beethoven played loudly....

I ditto that. Non-standard C++ is evil.

Also, in the same menu item you used for Compiling, click on the Run button. It will run the program.

Code:

#include <iostream>

int main()
{
	std::cout << "Hello, world" << std::endl;
	return 0;
}

Something like this should work I think, from the command line.