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  1. #1
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    I am a beginner c++ programmer and have no idea where to go next

    If this is the wrong place to post this I am sorry



    Hi, I am a beginner c++ programmer and i have been trying to learn the language for about 2 months now. I have read 2 Begging c++ books and have learned a lot but I have no idea where to go next.

    Pretty much all I have learned is how to use stuff from the STL Library and some of the basics of the language like classes and functions but thats about it. Ive looked around the internet of where to go next and basically everyone said "make your own programs" Ive tried to make some programs like a basic calculator or a text based game but it seems like I am only refining my skills not really learning anything.

    I know that you can do A LOT of stuff with c++ and at this point i have multiple directions I could probably take but I have no idea how to gain more knowledge, there are either really basic stuff or really advanced stuff that I dont understand at all. I want to learn the launguage but everything I have no idea where to go.

    So I was wondering if anyone one these forums would like to help point me in the right direction or give me some advice on what to do next, any help would be greatly appreciated by me

  2. #2
    2kaud's Avatar
    2kaud is offline Super Moderator Power Poster
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    Re: I am a beginner c++ programmer and have no idea where to go next

    Why are you learning the language? What do you want to use it for? Do you want to be a professional programmer or are you just learning it for fun/hobby? Are you using Windows or Linux or Apple? c++ is a very complex language and within 2 months you're probably just got a good basic knowledge. Where you go next IMO depends upon what direction you want to go. Games? Windows programming? Don't knock refining your skills. Being able to design programs (as opposed to coding programs) is a skill that keeps needing practice.

    I can recommend some professional c++ books to take you to the next level. Have a look at these posts which discuss c++ books

    http://forums.codeguru.com/showthrea...ighlight=books
    http://forums.codeguru.com/showthrea...ighlight=books
    http://forums.codeguru.com/showthrea...ighlight=books
    http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3...guide-and-list
    http://forums.codeguru.com/showthrea...ighlight=books
    http://forums.codeguru.com/showthrea...-books-about-C

    but to advise more specifically we need some idea as to what you are trying to accomlish by learning c++.

    Good luck!
    All advice is offered in good faith only. All my code is tested (unless stated explicitly otherwise) with the latest version of Microsoft Visual Studio (using the supported features of the latest standard) and is offered as examples only - not as production quality. I cannot offer advice regarding any other c/c++ compiler/IDE or incompatibilities with VS. You are ultimately responsible for the effects of your programs and the integrity of the machines they run on. Anything I post, code snippets, advice, etc is licensed as Public Domain https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ and can be used without reference or acknowledgement. Also note that I only provide advice and guidance via the forums - and not via private messages!

    C++23 Compiler: Microsoft VS2022 (17.6.5)

  3. #3
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    Re: I am a beginner c++ programmer and have no idea where to go next

    I am learning the language mostly for fun, I think my main goal is being able to make game like Homeworld 2 of course I know that wont happen in the next few years so im just trying to build up a general knowledge of the language because I also want to be able to make small programs that do stuff like move files around my computer (Personalized desktop cleaner?). Currently I am using Windows 7 mostly because my books reccomended I used Windows Visual C++. If i wanted to take both paths would that be a bit to hard for a beginner and where would I start for either?

    I think if I had to take a main goal I would say programming games and maybe going a bit into windows programming but mostly games.

    Thank you so much for your help

  4. #4
    2kaud's Avatar
    2kaud is offline Super Moderator Power Poster
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    Re: I am a beginner c++ programmer and have no idea where to go next

    For games, I would suggest
    Beginning c++ through game programming
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beginning-C-...s=c%2B%2B+game

    c++ for game programmers
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Programmers-...s=c%2B%2B+game

    Starting out with Games & Graphics in c++
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Starting-Out...s=c%2B%2B+game

    Introduction to Game Programming with c++
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Introduction...s=c%2B%2B+game

    For windows programming using the WIN32 APIs I would suggest
    Programming Windows by Charles Petzold
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...pf_rd_i=468294

    and for programming Windows using Microsoft MFC I would suggest
    Programming Windows with MFC by Jeff Prosise
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...pf_rd_i=468294

    Note that for MFC you will need a good understanding of c++ classes as MFC is Windows programming using classes.

    Have fun!

    PS You might like to have a look at these web sites
    http://www.learncpp.com/
    http://www.cplusplus.com/
    http://programminghelp.org/c++/
    http://www.parashift.com/c++-faq/

    There is also a wealth of information about c++, windows programming, using Visual c++ etc on the Microsoft developers web site
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/library

    One final point that beginners sometimes overlook. Become familiar with the debugger. It is an extremely powerful and useful tool. If you aren't yet familiar with its capabilities, use some of your existing programs to discover how to use it.

    Also, if/when you find problems if you post your question here we'll provide advice and guidance.
    Last edited by 2kaud; November 9th, 2013 at 03:19 PM.
    All advice is offered in good faith only. All my code is tested (unless stated explicitly otherwise) with the latest version of Microsoft Visual Studio (using the supported features of the latest standard) and is offered as examples only - not as production quality. I cannot offer advice regarding any other c/c++ compiler/IDE or incompatibilities with VS. You are ultimately responsible for the effects of your programs and the integrity of the machines they run on. Anything I post, code snippets, advice, etc is licensed as Public Domain https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ and can be used without reference or acknowledgement. Also note that I only provide advice and guidance via the forums - and not via private messages!

    C++23 Compiler: Microsoft VS2022 (17.6.5)

  5. #5
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    Re: I am a beginner c++ programmer and have no idea where to go next

    If you are interested in programming games in C++, have a look at Herb Sutter's talk here. About 40 minutes in he starts the relevant part.
    Cheers, D Drmmr

    Please put [code][/code] tags around your code to preserve indentation and make it more readable.

    As long as man ascribes to himself what is merely a posibility, he will not work for the attainment of it. - P. D. Ouspensky

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