Newbie ~ a problem with learning C++

Well I have an interest in learning C++ programming, so I came to this site to learn what I can about it. As I go through these lessons, i find that I have learned a bit, but I have nothing to apply my new-obtained knowledge to. If anyone has a suggestion to what I can do to help me better understand the concepts placed out on the guides, I am only 15, but I don't think that effects my understanding of the material much. I am only on lesson about 8 and I'm confused at what to do with the information I am given in order to practice and perfect it. Please help if you can.

Keep writing programs. This topic is about C, so some things may not apply (such as reading through the K&R book), but the general advice should help you out.

And no, being 15 won't stop you if you're a diligent worker, motivated, and really want to learn.

thanks for your input :)

Also bear in mind that C++ is a difficult language to learn completely. Whilst there are books called the likes of "Learn C++ in 21 days", I do not beleive that is realistic, even if you work 15 (or 24) hours a day for 21 days - it will still be a lot of intimate details of how the language works that will be missing in your understanding.

Working with the language, doing exercises (either from the book or for example spotting the homework puzzles given on this site - but don't post your answer, we don't do other peoples homework!)

If you get stuck, post here, and someone will help you out.

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Mats

thank you, yes, I've talked with my parents about it, and i do know its a large commitement, but I am hoping to find a way that works best for me about learning this language. I tried when I was 11 years old to do visual basic, but at that age, it does make a difference because you havent had much schooling to use the knowledge you already know to relate to how the language works. Now i might have a way better chance, thank you for your post mat, and for the homework on the site suggestion :)

what are your interests?

gaming?

music?

art?

it might help to pick something that interests you and try to write a program related to that.

My big interest is gaming definitly, and I really want to go into that in the future :) thank you also, that does make sense, and I will try to do that to help practice and perfect the knowledge I gain.

Edit ~ also for some reason every time i try to type a code for a program into my compiler, it never works, but if i copy paste it from the tutorial it will, when the stuff I wrote looks exactly like the stuff on the tutorial, idk why...

Another good way to learn is to write some code [not HUGE amounts] and post it here for comments. Be aware that not everyone has the same opinion, but comments will probably be made [particularly if you ask] as to whether there is a different/better/recommended way of doing something. Remembering that for the next time [or implementing the ideas suggested] when you see good suggestions is the idea.

In companies, you normally have something called "Code Review". In our company, we send out a listing of the bits of code that has changed [a "diff"], and tell the colleagues that have worked with the subject code before to have a look over it, and they will ask questions and/or point out mistakes made in the code. Again, the idea is that "more eyes see more things", so that the quality of the code is improved.

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Mats

lol, thanks mat :) I can only write the most simplest of things right now (like i mean so simple you'll think its garbage, and it doesnt even do anything. ) I guess thats what u get when you have someone who started to learn last night lol... I will keep that in mind when i can actually use the knowledge i get to make something worth looking at though. I appretiate everyone's reply, thank you :) still open for more comments if a reader thinks appropriate.

Edit ~ Also random tips would be helpful if any skilled programmers would like to share any tips that may be helpful to a newbie like me, and maybe helpful to me later on in my adventures of programming

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Originally Posted by ultrablade12

Edit ~ Also random tips would be helpful if any skilled programmers would like to share any tips that may be helpful to a newbie like me, and maybe helpful to me later on in my adventures of programming

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Learn what "undefined" and "undefined behavior" means. This will save you loads of grief. ;)

I guess that helps, now to find what they mean :P

I started a couple of years ago when I was your age. Just keep going through random tutorials.

And I'll tell you what REALLY helped me. Start working on something WAY over your head. I started using wxWidgets after learning just the basics (didn't even know classes, silly me!), and jumping into something so complex FORCED me to learn more than what I ever would have learned just doing random stuff.

Most importantly, have a goal. Why are you learning C++? That's what you need to code for!

Best of luck!
FlyingIsFun1217

Jumping into stuff too complicated is usually not a good idea. Perhaps you'll learn, but if you do, often it's the wrong way.
It's better to really learn the basics first, then try building up complications as you can, and most important of all - SOLVE the problems the arises and not ignore them.

I wrote a bit about undefined behaviour here:
http://cpwiki.sourceforge.net/Undefined_behaviour

You may also want to study some of the other subjects there.

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Mats

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Originally Posted by ultrablade12

My big interest is gaming definitly, and I really want to go into that in the future :) thank you also, that does make sense, and I will try to do that to help practice and perfect the knowledge I gain.

Edit ~ also for some reason every time i try to type a code for a program into my compiler, it never works, but if i copy paste it from the tutorial it will, when the stuff I wrote looks exactly like the stuff on the tutorial, idk why...

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recreating dikumuds (the original MMORPG) seems to be a pretty popular choice.

that's what i did o-so-long ago when i was first learning.

they're 100% text based, so you can learn all about how different bits of code work together to create the mechanics of a game without having to delve into graphics programming just to get something done.

there's quite a few threads in this forum that are in that vein. i'd do a search, and lots or reading, then post questions in the threads that seem at least half-way understandable to you, or if you're feeling plucky enough to go at it yourself, start your own thread and post up your own code.

thank you all for your information, you have helped me a bit :) and, i will try out most of these suggestions, thanks

If I had one suggestion, it would be not to learn C++ as a first language. I love C++ and the power it gives, but C++ is really like a bunch of very different languages bunched together.

Another reason I'd recommend not to learn C++ is that I don't know a single good introductory book for it. C++ has tons of very good books for people who know how to program another language, but the books like Deitel and Savitch that my college used for introductory classes are both pretty badly written IMO, very dry, and difficult to learn from on ones own.

You might want to give Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs a chance. You won't learn object oriented programming from it, but it will teach you to break problems down into much simpler ones, how to glue the solutions to the small problems into solutions to big ones, and you won't have to worry about getting lost in some of the really nasty corners of C/C++ (though you'll type a seemingly never-ending string of parentheses). The language the book uses is Scheme, but it's really a book about programming way more than it is a book about a programming language.

SICP is a world class book, and it's available for free at http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/
It's a difficult book, and maybe it's a bit much to ask of someone at 15. Then again, the book is very well written, and you'll have the benefit of videos given by MIT professors available to you for free also at http://www.swiss.ai.mit.edu/classes/...sman-lectures/

I don't know if it's still used now, but I know it was the book MIT used in its intro to programming course up to a year or two ago.

Even if you're not interested in starting with SICP, if you love computer science it's a lot of fun, and you should give it a look sometime. The two guys who give the video lectures are brilliant.

Well 3rdcoast, My cousin can program, idk how well, but he knows how to, and he really recommended a book for me called "Sams teach yourself C++ in 10 minutes." He said it were 10 minute lesson type things that build on eachother, so since he said it was a good book, I'm going to try that out. But I would really love to learn C++ as a first instead of learning these other languages to get to there. Since OOP is what I'm looking to go to, I would rather I started and stayed with C++ :) thanks though

If you're going to pick up a title that proclaims it can teach you a language in fixnum minutes or days, check the reviews. Chances are if it's recommended here, or other professionals like it, it's a good resource. Personally, I've had a poor experience with those types of books and could have learned a lot more from a different book.

Gaming is a great choice for learning to program. I started programming when I was 14 using SDL and OpenGL not much later. I soon learned that it wasn't learning c++ that would be the biggest hardship, but tackling the mathematical challenges of game development. I had to learn/use math that I would be taught in later years of my high school. I'm now 17 and working with the SourceSDK to develop a mod which is a revamped versions of the Sourceforts mod, called Construct.
I will also be taking an "Advanced Placement CS" course this coming year, which will focus on teaching java. If you like me your biggest fear will be that your first CS professor will be a complete idiot because he teaches Java :)

Anyway, a few tips for things which really helped me out when I first got started.
Use IRC. It's online chat boards which allow you to get nearly instant feedback on simple questions. Check out xchat for an IRC client (I linked to the free windows version). Check out the ##c++ channel on the freenode network.
Also check out gamedev.net for game development forums/help/resources. (they have their own IRC channel as well).

For SDL tutorials check out lazyfoo.net.

I wouldn't go 3d until you have a good idea of how to use the language.

And finally if you find c++ too hard, try python.

Hope I was of help,

Joe

thnx Joe, I'll try those out :)

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In companies, you normally have something called "Code Review".

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Aaaahhh.. so it DOES exist! Wish my company was like that.... more and more I find that we just do something, we just create classes without a thouroughly studied architecture. Bosses don't seem to understand that thinking before doing costs less time and money than cleaning up trash in the end!

Sorry for this extremely unuseful post, but it reliefs..

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Originally Posted by MarkZWEERS

Aaaahhh.. so it DOES exist! Wish my company was like that.... more and more I find that we just do something, we just create classes without a thouroughly studied architecture. Bosses don't seem to understand that thinking before doing costs less time and money than cleaning up trash in the end!

Sorry for this extremely unuseful post, but it reliefs..

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Astounding levels of ignorance, really. To quote my colleague: Managers should be forced to read (and understand) the last chapters of Stroustrup's The C++ Language (chapter 23-25 in the third edition). Unfortunately, managers often become managers because they are good at other things than understanding the software that the company produces. This does not mean ALL managers, but certainly some are not so good at understanding either of the software itself, or the finer points in difference between a good design and a quick hack. I'm all in favour of prototyping and trying things out, but you shouldn't then sell that as a the final product.

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Mats

I didn't say to expect to create anything when jumping in over your head, I simply said that doing that for me 'forced' (and by forced, I mean ticked me off, and MADE me learn why I was screwing up) to learn the concepts in a CORRECT way. If you don't need to complete such code for actual use, I find this to be a GREAT way to learn. Nothing teaches better than your own mistakes.

FlyingIsFun1217