C/C++ then where? A novice question from a novice programmer

To all:

I've spent a couple months familiarizing myself with programming in C and Jython (due to a class for jython). I am now reading the SAMS Teach Yourself C++ in 21 days to get a base for C++. I'm very attracted to windows programming. What should I do once I finish this book? What book would I need to buy next, and how would I go about learning API/MFC. Which do you guys recommend? I plan on installing Windows 95/98 to begin learning the GUI programming. Well thanks and I look forward to your responses.

Hern

What? Did I hear windows 95? Why not use Windows XP? .. Well, to start programming in windows i suggest you get the free online tutorial called theForger's Guide to Windows API .. or something like that.. I'll tell you the link if I find it (remind me).. And also get yourself an api guide (a good one is from www.allapi.net - it's made for VisualBasic (the examples and stuff) but the explenation of each function, the parameters are the same everywhere).. and the good stuff is that you don't need to do the vb-style decleration.. you just include windows.h and you're off! You can also get SAMS Teachyourself Windows Programming in 21 days (or 24 hrs.. forgot).. but I still suggest using online resources.. cause they're rapidly updating

When I started learning win32 API I used free tutorials supplied at the following link:

http://www.gametutorials.com/tutorials.htm

The tutorials went step by step through creating a window. Switching to fullscreen. Get devices context. Draw lines, text, etc... The source code was very heavily commented so a n00b could understand why things were the way they were.

Found it to be a good start. Then I bought Win32 API superbible for reference.

Just a thought.

Edit: oops I'm sorry seems like they charge for their tutorials now.. damn that sucks.. those were some good tutorials.. still have them on my harddrive, but I guess uploading them would be illegal... sorry

Programming Windows, by Charles Petzold. If you know some C, this book will teach you Windows programming (WinAPI). This is THE BOOK to get. Almost every Windows programmer owns a copy.

The only danger of jumping into Windows programming too soon, is that you will spend all of your time learning how to make a nice user interface, and you won't learn the standard C++ that you need to make your program useful and efficient. Both topics require a fair amount of time, study, and practice.

For some intermediate to advanced C++ (standard not Windows-specific) programming -

Thinking in C++, by Bruce Eckel. I think this book was written as a beginning C++ book for experienced C programmers, but it makes a good 2nd C++ book. You can download it FREE, or buy hard copies. Last time I checked, you could also download solutions to the exercises in volume 1 (for about $20, I think), but there were no solutions available for volume 2.

The C++ Standard Library, by Nicolai M. Josuttis. This book is a really good (and complete) reference to the C++ Standard Template Library (STL). The title is a little misleading, as it does not cover the entire C++ library... It doesn't cover any of the "C part" of the library.

Dougdbug, thanks I'll look into the book you recommended. Deo, coudl you send me some of those tutorials. If you got them before they started charging for them then they are not illegal.

I'm learning from my C++ book now, I just am trying to figure out what best to do, but all responses I've gotten are each different. Tutorials, web, and book. I'm confused :o

Order the Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Beta. I've done it, so have all my friends, it's free and they mail it to you. No charge, no limits, full program, all features.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/getthebetas/country/

Then, use c++ .net, or c# .net, java .net, etc or what ever and learn from there.
If you want to be a windows programmer that is your future. ;)
Do not get msvs 6.0 or below and windows 98, that's just going to make it harder for you in the long run, and more stress going through all the changes between it all to .net

You could just not take my advice and proceed by commiting computer suicide. :)
I hope this helps.
Get that beta reguardless of what you do... it's free! :D

If you need proof I could get a picture of me holding the package and cds and stuff. :)

Learn the .net environment for visuall C++, if you havent already. Windows programming becomes a lot easier in .net, almost drag and drop. But I guess its also a good idea to learn it manually.

If you want to get into windows programming quickly, you can get the book:

Ivor Horton's Beginning Visual C++ 6

The first 12 chapters are on C++, and then the rest of the book is on windows programming with MFC(i.e. creating pretty windows for your programs).

Windows programming is not exactly easy though. The first time I looked at it, I was totally lost. A couple of years later and a lot more practice with C++, it wasn't as incomprehensible anymore.

Wehn you say .net and how I can just drag and drop what language is that? How do I learn .net? Is that what Visual C++ is or C#?? I'm lost

.NET is microsoft's new creation to try and kill java. .NET is cross platform(=programs can run on lots of different computers) in that any computer equipped with the .NET software can run .NET programs. .NET programs can be written in many different languages, with one of them being C#. Another is Visual Basic.NET. All programs written in a .NET language get converted into a common code, so the idea is that it doesn't matter what .NET language you write the program with. If you want to learn an easier language, you should consider Visual Basic.NET.

Visual C++ is not a .NET language. Visual C++ allows you to do what's called "windows programming". Windows programming involves creating windows for your programs to execute in, which is probably what every program you use on an everyday basis does. Windows programming was originally done with C because Windows was written in C, but there is so much drudgery involved, microsoft invented the MFC, which is a library of classes written in C++ that you can use to make Windows programming easier.

yeah .net is slowly gonna take over. Actually .net automates a lot of mfc programming. Like for instance when you create a window, you can adjust it simply editing a box for height,width., as opposed to manually coding it out. Kinda nice but its well worth the time to learn mfc.