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Hello,
I've been self learning the basics of C++ with a book and C++BuilderX and Eclipse shipped with it however this book only covers the basics. Basically I want to work on a project that involves writing a GUI app that maps a local area network, however the internet isnt proving very useful on where to begin. Would anyone know where i should start and where the best resources would be to help achieve this goal?
Thanks :)
These two statements do not go together:
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I've been self learning the basics of C++
Learn C++ first, then you can branch off into GUI and network programming. I can guarantee that you'll have a hell of a time if you aren't very comfortable with the basics of C++ when you start specializing.Quote:
I want to work on a project that involves writing a GUI app that maps a local area network
Actually, you don't have to know that much standard C++ to learn GUI programming... But... There's a lot to learn in both subject areas. It's easy to get bogged-down learning the GUI shtuff, and distracted from the underlying standard C++ that makes your program do something useful.
I agree that it's difficult to learn this stuff from the Internet. But, take a look at this tutorial. That tutorial should help you decide if you're ready to dig-into Windows programming. Then when you feel you're ready, get a copy of Programming Windows, by Charles Petzold.
(I can't help you with the network stuff.)
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BTW - If you don't already know. All of this is "beyond" ANSI/ISO Standard C++. There are no graphics, color, mouse, sound, or networking, in Standard C++.
I don't know... I would say before you learn anything about the GUI implementations, you should get a solid feeling for the language first.
Reading the WIN API when I had a smattering of C++ experience made my head hurt, now that I've got a deeper understanding it makes things a lot easier to comprehend.
As for network stuff there are plenty of tutorials for that on the internet, one notably is here .
However again, it would be good to have a good solid grasp of what you are writing and working with beforehand. I suppose I am agreeing with both prelude and Doug... hopefully that was a bit of help.
I second Prelude's recommendation. Make sure you know basic C++ well. You do not have to be an expert with templates or a complete master of all the intracies of OOP with C++ (multiple inheritance, virtual inheritance, etc) to learn to do GUI programming (in C++), but you should be really comfortable using the language (pointers, classes, inheritance, etc) before moving on, or you will likely end up frustrated or doing things "just because it works" (tm) without really knowing what is going on.
Cheers
Ok I agree with you thanks very much for all your suggestions, i have had a brief glance at the tutorials and yes i will need a more solid foundation in C before i attempt it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Prelude
Thanks for your help :)