C++ where to start?

fl0p · 10-07-2008

I am doing computer science this year and have learnt a fair bit of java and i really find it interesting. So now i am interested in getting into a bit of C++ and was wondering what programs i need etc and a good website to self teach myself.

Any help would be appreciated.

**Swordfish** · 10-07-2008

Probably be best to pm Jayso he knows it all.

GL!

Jayso · 10-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swordfish

Probably be best to pm Jayso he knows it all.

GL!

Na, chem and Khaless are probably better choices - I don't code C++

afrikakorps · 10-07-2008

Start with C, then move into C++. Understand pointers, function pointers, and bit operators. Learn basic C libraries (stdin, string, stdlib).

chemicalNova · 10-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by afrikakorps

Start with C, then move into C++. Understand pointers, function pointers, and bit operators. Learn basic C libraries (stdin, string, stdlib).

Why exactly?

Any good C++ tutorial or book will start with all of the C basics anyway. The "Advanced" parts of C++ tutorials.. are mostly just C++ specific stuff (class design, inheritance, polymorphism, templates, etc).

Depending on tastes.. there are few ways you can go.

IDE:

Visual Studio - http://www.microsoft.com/express/vc/ - I would invest in the full version if you end up getting seriously into Microsoft stuff.. The downside to Visual Studio is there is alot of ****ing around to make sure that your applications don't require all of the stupid Microsoft dependencies/runtimes. Of course its possible to make it so they don't.. its just a hassle.

CodeBlocks - Home - I use this for most of my C++ stuff. I mostly use Visual Studio for C#.. The plus side to CodeBlocks is there is no ****ing around with settings. You can load it up.. select a template (windows or otherwise), and it will run straight off Win32 libraries (unless you link them in yourself). Theres also some nice packages for cross-platform libraries/widgets for codeblocks too. One of the download packages ships with MingW I think..

If you're proficient in Java.. then you should understand almost everything in C++. I don't personally know Java.. but from what I've seen the only difference is that there is a colon instead of "inherits"

chem

afrikakorps · 10-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by chemicalNova

Why exactly?

Any good C++ tutorial or book will start with all of the C basics anyway. The "Advanced" parts of C++ tutorials.. are mostly just C++ specific stuff (class design, inheritance, polymorphism, templates, etc).

I disagree, most C++ tutorials / books assume you come from a C background, + the features I mentioned are do not have any java equivalents AFAIK however they are important features to C and C++ and normally pose problems to those learning C.

chemicalNova · 10-07-2008

I have about 5 C++ books and none assume you come from a C background. In fact, at least one of them assumes you've just learnt how to turn a computer on.

About 2 assume you're new to programming, but good with computers..

And the other two are class design / good language practises.

chem

fl0p · 14-07-2008

Ok thanks guys dling CodeBlocks now

SargeRX8 · 14-07-2008

Codeblocks imo. Its a great package and no where near as heavy as Visual Studio. I used a text book which i got for $10. I already knew coding and the book focused on C++ and object oriented program

Khaless · 14-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by afrikakorps

Start with C, then move into C++. Understand pointers, function pointers, and bit operators. Learn basic C libraries (stdin, string, stdlib).

Actually coding in C++ can very different to coding in C and people who learn C++ by learning C, I think often forget this! And the better you know C the harder it is to avoid writing C++ in C style (and thus loosing some of the benefits of C++)

YES, you do need basics from C, you need to know about Pointers (although dont forget about references), about memory allocation, about compilers and debuggers but if you program C++ as a C programmer you are bound to fail (perhaps I am being a bit strong :P)

If you got great big balls, Stroustrup's "The C++ Programming Language" is the way to go. Perhaps hit up the basics of C, do some pointer exercises and read some input exercises.

And if you are at usyd and thinking about C++, please take one of Matty Farrow's courses (I hope it is still offered).

Khaless · 14-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by afrikakorps

Start with C, then move into C++. Understand pointers, function pointers, and bit operators. Learn basic C libraries (stdin, string, stdlib).

we dont really use those basic C libraries in C++..

fl0p · 15-07-2008

$100 from Angus and Robertson really worth it?

bokCHOI · 15-07-2008

Pdfs for me. Yeah, ebooks the legal or the not so legal way... pretty good for ruby so far.

Should be same for c++ course.

fl0p · 15-07-2008

Ah I'll see what i decide I won't be starting any of this until next month i have mid years next week.

Khaless · 15-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bokCHOI

Pdfs for me. Yeah, ebooks the legal or the not so legal way... pretty good for ruby so far.

Should be same for c++ course.

Pragmatic programmers have a nice intro to ruby on an ebook.

Caprock · 23-07-2008

@afrikakorps: no idea why you would start off with C...

But as for IDEs I would go for Code::Blocks using the MinGW compiler, a good site for reference is cplusplus.com - The C++ Resources Network, and make sure to keep your code up to standard etc. You may want a book to start off with, best bet is to go to the store and just look around at the begginer ones, see what suits your reading style. I personally learnt off Sams teach yourself C++ in 24 hours - No it will not take 24 hours! I also own Bjarnes Stroutsrups (sp?) C++ Programming Language 3rd edition, great for reference on everything.

chemicalNova · 23-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caprock

I personally learnt off Sams teach yourself C++ in 24 hours

I know the guy who wrote that..

..but they are horrible. I remember reading one revision of that and I'm pretty sure it was all MFC based..

chem

Caprock · 24-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by chemicalNova

I know the guy who wrote that..

..but they are horrible. I remember reading one revision of that and I'm pretty sure it was all MFC based..

chem

I didn't find it that bad, all code is cross platform teaches pretty good coding practice, the only thing I hate about most begginer books, is the lack of explanation of why you would use things. They'll teach you about arrays and how to use them, but not when and why you would use them. Same with pointers, which is pretty dificult to understand once you start off.

Khaless · 24-07-2008

Well how and when to use data structures is not really in the area of teaching a language. It is principals (data structures and such) which really is a separate area.

I mean if you were to get into the whole argument of when to use which data structure where, it really is quite a big one.

geno · 03-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by afrikakorps

Start with C, then move into C++. Understand pointers, function pointers, and bit operators. Learn basic C libraries (stdin, string, stdlib).

Quote:

Originally Posted by chemicalNova

Why exactly?
Any good C++ tutorial or book will start with all of the C basics anyway. The "Advanced" parts of C++ tutorials.. are mostly just C++ specific stuff (class design, inheritance, polymorphism, templates, etc).

Bad idea. You do not to need have ANY background of C to learn C++. Stick with learning C++, go buy yourself a few books from your local bookstore and read them. A simple online C++ tutorial website is cplusplus.com

10-07-2008	#1 (permalink)
fl0p Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tas Posts: 79 Rep Power: 1	C++ where to start? I am doing computer science this year and have learnt a fair bit of java and i really find it interesting. So now i am interested in getting into a bit of C++ and was wondering what programs i need etc and a good website to self teach myself. Any help would be appreciated.

10-07-2008	#2 (permalink)
Swordfish GotGames Admin Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 3,429 gXboxLive Leaderboard: 102^nd Rep Power: 5	Probably be best to pm Jayso he knows it all. GL! __________________ www.sublimepcgear.com.au www.epicservers.com.au ~ Head Admin / Support

10-07-2008	#4 (permalink)
afrikakorps Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 22 Posts: 527 Rep Power: 3	Start with C, then move into C++. Understand pointers, function pointers, and bit operators. Learn basic C libraries (stdin, string, stdlib). __________________ Semi-Pro

10-07-2008	#7 (permalink)
chemicalNova Pro Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 19 Posts: 5,593 Rep Power: 8	I have about 5 C++ books and none assume you come from a C background. In fact, at least one of them assumes you've just learnt how to turn a computer on. About 2 assume you're new to programming, but good with computers.. And the other two are class design / good language practises. chem __________________ There are no stupid questions... but there are alot of inquisitive idiots. - Last edited by chemicalNova; 10-07-2008 at 05:14 PM..

14-07-2008	#9 (permalink)
SargeRX8 Monster Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Merrylands 2160 Age: 21 Posts: 3,687 Rep Power: 6	Codeblocks imo. Its a great package and no where near as heavy as Visual Studio. I used a text book which i got for $10. I already knew coding and the book focused on C++ and object oriented program __________________ Click the sig to watch my Rambo Video HuggyCHEA[2f][2sxc]: im a gentleman gee HuggyCHEA[2f][2sxc]: but get me drunk broo, ill grab your tits

14-07-2008	#8 (permalink)
fl0p Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tas Posts: 79 Rep Power: 1	Ok thanks guys dling CodeBlocks now

15-07-2008	#12 (permalink)
fl0p Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tas Posts: 79 Rep Power: 1	$100 from Angus and Robertson really worth it?

15-07-2008	#13 (permalink)
bokCHOI Honorary Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: \|====\|¯¯¯¯¯¯¯/ Penis Size : 10 "s ¯¯¯¯¯¯ Posts: 1,372 Rep Power: 4	Pdfs for me. Yeah, ebooks the legal or the not so legal way... pretty good for ruby so far. Should be same for c++ course. __________________ »-(¯`v´¯)-»"I'm so gay I sweat glitter!"»-(¯`v´¯)-» .ǝɹʇɐǝɥʇ ǝıʌoɯ ʇǝ1oɹʌǝɥɔ ɐ ǝʌıɹp ı ɹoʇɐbı11ɐ ǝ1ıpoɔoɹɔ ɹoıɹǝʇuı

15-07-2008	#14 (permalink)
fl0p Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tas Posts: 79 Rep Power: 1	Ah I'll see what i decide I won't be starting any of this until next month i have mid years next week.

23-07-2008	#16 (permalink)
Caprock Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sydney Age: 23 Posts: 84 gXboxLive Leaderboard: 311^th Rep Power: 1	@afrikakorps: no idea why you would start off with C... But as for IDEs I would go for Code::Blocks using the MinGW compiler, a good site for reference is cplusplus.com - The C++ Resources Network, and make sure to keep your code up to standard etc. You may want a book to start off with, best bet is to go to the store and just look around at the begginer ones, see what suits your reading style. I personally learnt off Sams teach yourself C++ in 24 hours - No it will not take 24 hours! I also own Bjarnes Stroutsrups (sp?) C++ Programming Language 3rd edition, great for reference on everything. __________________ http://res0urc3.com/ http://gamesessions.co.nr

24-07-2008	#19 (permalink)
Khaless Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 607 Rep Power: 3	Well how and when to use data structures is not really in the area of teaching a language. It is principals (data structures and such) which really is a separate area. I mean if you were to get into the whole argument of when to use which data structure where, it really is quite a big one. __________________ 92% of teens have moved on to rap. If you are part of the 8% who still listen to real music, copy and paste this into your signature.