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I am very new to C programming, and I've spent the past several days learning all the functions, variables, pointers, basically all the basic components that C has to offer.
I'm trying to create a video playback software, and I need some tips on how to get started. I'm more than willing to do the studies myself, so I just need some pointers on how to begin. I'm not looking for tutorials, as I want to study and create it all on my own. But I just need some direction to simply get started.
Since you mention "very new to C programming" specifically, does this mean that you're coming from a programming background, i.e., you're already familiar with all the basic algorithms and data structures stuff, and you already have a good idea of how to design and organise programs larger than those found in introductory programming textbooks? Are you familiar with unit testing and the use of a version control system?Quote:
Originally Posted by leopoldo100
I ask because from your previous posts, you gave me the impression that you're new to programming in general, in which case you might want to build your basic skills first before trying to tackle something like this. For example, your calculator idea is not a bad one: you can start with a simple text-based one where you learn how to parse the infix notation such that your program can do the calculations. Then later you can learn the GUI APIs necessary to create a GUI version.
I would begin by understanding the problem. For example, I have a vague idea that in the video world, there are codecs and containers. If you aren't already clear on what these are, you would need to learn about them. Then you might decide what you're trying to tackle, e.g., are you trying to implement a codec, or are you going to make use of an existing library and write a frontend video player, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by leopoldo100
It'll be a basic video playback software where someone uploads a video file and it plays it. That's it.Quote:
Originally Posted by laserlight
I have no prior experience in programming, and C is the first language I am trying to learn. I am purposefully giving myself a challenge so that I learn a lot in the process. I can make a text based calculator easily, and I've already done it as part of my practice.
Basically I know the basic components, like loops, variables, strings, arrays, pointers (not 100%, still a bit confusing), header files (some), dynamic memory allocation, functions, and am now getting into linked lists.
I'm trying to step up my gear because I feel that I am really slow right now. I have started learning C about a month ago, actually a little bit less than that. I've heard CS classes at universities gives students projects like making a game, stock trading ai, etc. I'm already almost a month in and I can't make a game right now. I'm sure classes give projects like these as homeworks like the first week or so of starting class, and I'm a month in. So I'm giving myself a more challenging project so I learn as I go while creating.
P.S: I've only used command prompt for practice coding sessions. So far I've made a calculator, file storage management system (practicing creating, writing, editing files) /w a password, inventory handling system (practicing arrays), and that mage warrior healer project you know about. I've created mini projects for each new concept I was learning, so I've made more than that but those were the more "complex" ones to test my knowledge by utilizing different learned components.
What do you mean by "upload"? I would expect something like the the user providing the path to a file, whereas "upload" tends to have connotations of transferring a file over a network.Quote:
Originally Posted by leopoldo100
As for "it plays it": that's back to my previous post: are you trying to implement a codec, or are you going to make use of an existing library and write a frontend video player, etc. Frankly, I don't have the background to advise you specifically, i.e., this is not an area that I am familiar with. Maybe it is actually quite easy because there are readily available libraries that you can patch together, but if you're trying to do this from scratch as you seem to want to, I would rate this more a final year university project or a penultimate year group project than a first year project, much less something I'd expect from someone in their first semester (or with just a month's worth of experience).
So maybe it is a good long term goal, but I'm not sure if you're really going to go faster by attempting something like this because it seems to me that there's a great deal of research involved rather than actually learning fundamental programming and computer science concepts. Keep in mind also the notion that it is faster to build a 3 inch telescope and then build a 6 inch telescope than it is to build a 6 inch telescope, i.e., doing easier stuff to build a strong foundation and then attempting the harder stuff is ultimately faster than trying to do the harder stuff straightaway.
Is your text-based calculator able to correctly evaluate the expression (-5 * (4 - 7) + 1) / (20 / 10)? That's a fairly typical first-year university programming homework question, so if you haven't gotten to that point yet, it would be good practice.Quote:
Originally Posted by leopoldo100
That's good.Quote:
Originally Posted by leopoldo100
Not even rock-paper-scissors, tic-tac-toe, or some kind of "guess the number" game? Those are the kind of games that beginners are expected to start with. As for "stock trading ai": it'll probably be some simple stock trading simulation.Quote:
Originally Posted by leopoldo100
It was a very simple calculator, so no I don't think it can do those kind of operations. I can give it a go though for practice!Quote:
Originally Posted by laserlight
I haven't created those kinds of games yet. I will definitely try and make those for good practice.
By upload, I mean the user selects a video file from their computer and it plays on the player. That, or the user can drag and drop media files in and it plays it. Kinda like a much simpler version of VLC.
leopoldo100, when you say "very simple" it means from a user point of view. Video players aren't "simple", even when using some library (like ffmpeg's libav*).
Yes, I am very aware of that. By "very simple" I was meaning it from the user point of view. It won't have any other functions besides what I have mentioned. I've already said "I wanted to give myself a challenging project", so yes I am 100% aware this project will not be simple. I purposefully gave myself a tough assignment so I can learn heaps while doing it.Quote:
Originally Posted by flp1969
That being said, if anyone has any pointers in getting started, I would greatly appreciate the help.
But you already have a few pointers to get started: I mentioned reading up on topics like codecs and containers; flp1969 mentioned a library.
Okay, thank you. I'll have to start studying the general structure of computer programming first as for now I've only done function based studies. I think I'll actually hold off on the video playback project and take on more manageable projects as I go, just as I have done so far with the basics.Quote:
Originally Posted by laserlight
Do you have any recommendations for books I can read to study this? I was thinking of getting C programming for Dummies to start.
DO NOT TRUST the information on the non-official c-for-dummies.com website. I wasted two hours because they implied getline was a part of standard C; it is only part of POSIX C.
The getline() Function | C For Dummies Blog
Tim S.
To be fair, getline is also defined by a standard extension to C as ISO/IEC TR 24731 (Dynamic Allocation Functions), though it's not part of the C standard itself.Quote:
Originally Posted by stahta01