Thread: Interested in C++, but only C# offered...

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    4

    Interested in C++, but only C# offered...

    Good day all.

    I'm interested in learning C++ and was looking for a class at my community college, but they only offer a C# class at this time. Would it be worth taking the C# class or just self study C++?

    In case it matters: I am tossing the idea of video game programming around, and have read that C++ is very prevalent in the gaming industry.

  2. #2
    C++まいる!Cをこわせ!
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Inside my computer
    Posts
    24,654
    Do you have earlier programming background? If so, I'd say study on C++.
    If not, you may want to study an available language, such as C#.
    But make no mistake--even after learning another language, you will have a lot to learn if you want to learn C++ later.

    But you don't think you can find a course of C++ elsewhere? That would be the best option.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    4
    I do have some limited PHP experience from web design, but it is very limited. I think I'll stick with C++.

    After doing some more looking around, it appears they have Computer Science 1 and 2, which they categorize under C++... They just don't have C++ in their title. Maybe I'll look into those.

    Edit: Also, I think I may just stick with self study for now... there are some awesome tutorials on this site, so thanks for that!
    Last edited by scottay; 07-07-2010 at 03:08 PM.

  4. #4
    Devil's Advocate SlyMaelstrom's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Out of scope
    Posts
    4,079
    I would say take the course and study C++ in your free time. Formal study in C# will give you a better understanding of many object-oriented paradigm that is necessary in C++ programming... in fact, aside from a series of caveats that can be found in each language (and there are plenty in every one of them), the language itself is simply syntax. A different way to achieve the same goal and learning one always helps you understand the others.

    Formal study is invaluable, so don't pass it up even if it's not in your language of choice. However, to achieve any degree of success in programming, it will demand a lot of additional private study, much of which you can dedicate to the language(s) of your choosing.
    Sent from my iPadŽ

  5. #5
    C++まいる!Cをこわせ!
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Inside my computer
    Posts
    24,654
    Also know that tutorials just aren't enough. You will need a good book. Myself, I recommend Accelerated C++. You just need to know how to use an IDE of choice and compile your programs which is easily fixed via tutorials.
    But if just have limited PHP experience, then there's a chance it might be tough. Formal educations are, are sly says, invaluable. See if there are some OOP course available, preferably, but not limited to, C++. They should prove invaluable experience.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    4
    I bought "Beginning C++ Through Game Programming" by Mike Dawson, and am liking it so far. Any good websites that have some good video tutorial? I'm much more visual... reading this stuff out of a book can be tough.

    I've been tinkering with both Dev-C++ and Visual Studio C++ 2010 Express. I think I prefer Visual Studio, but am open to suggestions.

  7. #7
    Officially An Architect brewbuck's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    7,396
    As long as you approach your education as the act of "Learning how to program a computer" instead of "Learning how to program in language XYZ" then it won't be a waste, regardless of what language it is.

    I had to do some C# development last month, and I'd never touched the language before in any real sense. I felt pretty comfortable with it after a few days. I even got excited about some syntactic possibilities offered by C# that are difficult to achieve in C++, and it inspired me to port some of my old C++ code to C#, both for practice and just to have a bit of fun.

    I say, don't sweat it. Take whatever course is offered.
    Code:
    //try
    //{
    	if (a) do { f( b); } while(1);
    	else   do { f(!b); } while(1);
    //}

  8. #8
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    The edge of the known universe
    Posts
    39,660
    Echo brewbuck - if you come away with "how to program", then the language doesn't matter.

    Also IIRC, C# is used on some Microsoft games consoles, so it might even be a good thing.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

  9. #9
    Ethernal Noob
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Posts
    1,901
    Learning C# will also be good since you have a web background and C# has a couple of really good (well one of them is really good) web frameworks. Everyone's covered pretty much all you need to know to get starting with C++.

  10. #10
    C++まいる!Cをこわせ!
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Inside my computer
    Posts
    24,654
    Well, that depends on what you want to do. Web programming? Then it might be good. But for games it's useless.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    3,229
    Microsoft game consoles also run C++. AFAIK C# is only used for tools, like a graphical scripting language. Not in released code.

  12. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    4
    Thank you all for your replies.

    I'm not sure exactly what I want to program at this point, but games sound interesting, so that's how I'd like to set my path for now.

    I know that C# is quite a bit different from C++; however, will I really get into the differences and nuances of it in a 1 semester class? Aren't the "basics" of programming basically the same with any code? With this logic, it sounds like taking the C# class will give me a good foundation on which I can apply any language I choose to learn. By doing the C# at least I'll have a variation of C to apply...

    Or am I off base?

    Thanks again!

  13. #13
    C++ Witch laserlight's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    28,413
    Quote Originally Posted by scottay
    I know that C# is quite a bit different from C++; however, will I really get into the differences and nuances of it in a 1 semester class?
    Not likely. You will be too busy trying to understand the syntax of C#, and applying your knowledge to solve programming problems.

    Quote Originally Posted by scottay
    Aren't the "basics" of programming basically the same with any code?
    It depends. Different programming languages tend to be better suited for different programming paradigms, and this can influence one's problem solving approach. Certain algorithms may be more naturally implemented in one programming language than another. But you have to start somewhere.
    Quote Originally Posted by Bjarne Stroustrup (2000-10-14)
    I get maybe two dozen requests for help with some sort of programming or design problem every day. Most have more sense than to send me hundreds of lines of code. If they do, I ask them to find the smallest example that exhibits the problem and send me that. Mostly, they then find the error themselves. "Finding the smallest program that demonstrates the error" is a powerful debugging tool.
    Look up a C++ Reference and learn How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

  14. #14
    Woof, woof! zacs7's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    3,459
    Quote Originally Posted by cyberfish View Post
    Microsoft game consoles also run C++. AFAIK C# is only used for tools, like a graphical scripting language. Not in released code.
    C# is used for games (On all their [latest] consoles, and Windows), through the XNA framework. See Microsoft XNA - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

  15. #15
    C++まいる!Cをこわせ!
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Inside my computer
    Posts
    24,654
    I believe it's used for the live marketplace. Dunno if one can make games in C++ and submit to the marketplace. "Real" cannot possibly use it or they would fall flat on their face against Sony, which Microsoft doesn't want.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. how to keep interested.
    By mabufo in forum C++ Programming
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 02-11-2006, 12:32 AM
  2. Anyone interested?
    By JarJarBinks in forum Projects and Job Recruitment
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 09-17-2004, 05:59 AM
  3. for beginner's or anyone interested
    By Iconoklast in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-25-2004, 02:45 PM
  4. War with Iraq - Read this article if you're interested
    By Davros in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 01-26-2003, 12:10 AM
  5. Who here would be interested...
    By TechWins in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 07-19-2002, 08:10 PM