Looking to get back into C++ programming.

[Unconscious]

I started learning when I was 13: but struggled with the IF command. I've been learning AS for a couple of years now, and I understand it moderately well.

I'd like to get back into C++ programming. Does anyone know of any resources that will help a newbie like me?

Or perhaps a helping hand via IM?

Thanks.

[Rizimar]

I'm particularly fond of Programmer's Heaven. It has good articles and source code for various languages and platforms.

A good thing to do after reading some basic tutorials is to look over others' code. And read articles about different algorithms and try to program them yourself.

One of my favorite books was Code Complete, but that's not language-specific. It basically goes over code optimization and specifications for different languages.

Also, Boralnd's Turbo C++ 3.0 helped me learn a lot about C/C++. Despite it being for DOS, it let you highlight keywords in your code and look up what the different commands and functions did, what files you needed to include to use them, etc. It was rather convenient.

[Bad Sector]

Ouch. No Programmer's Heaven please. Its far from Heaven (although ok, it has some nice archives of old stuff). Also it is *NOT* good to look others' code. I know, i did for the first years of my programming, trying to understand what the hell the code does. NO. The best way is learn the language GOOD and then try to find documentation about the algorithms for what you want to do. Source code is only helpful when you it has been written as an aid for understanding a particular algorithm or in the context of solving a small problem.

Recently i found this site. Generally cplusplus.com seem to have nice documentation (i've visiting myself when i want to make it clear about some C++ stuff). Haven't fully read it, but from what i've seen it seems ok.

About compilers. Since you're going to learn the language, a command-line interface is IMHO better. Therefore i recommend you to get Ubuntu and install one of the myriad of IDEs and the GCC and G++ compilers. Although for simple learning uses, the included gedit text editor (with syntax highlighting, line numbers and stuff) maybe is good enough.

If you don't want to install Ubuntu, try Eclipse/MinGW or Visual Studio Express. Unlike previous versions, the latest version of VSE seems to be good enough (although Eclipse seems superior to me, with only a couple editing features i would like to see from VSE). In fact, personally i have VSE instead of MinGW installed to do my C++ coding (although these days i write in FreePascal and Lazarus).

In any case, steer clear from graphics and GUI programming.

[Unconscious]

Hm. Thanks guys, I'll check them out.

[David]

If you want a good book about c++ (actually c++ not c), you can try The C++ Programming language. Its written by Bjarne Stroustrup (who is in fact the creator of c++) and describes the c++ standard very well.
If you want to go a step further, try scott meyers "effective c++ programing".

[Bad Sector]

i've heard this book sucks in explaining the language,

[Rizimar]

Bad Sector, you're quite negative!

[David]

You did? I own that book and I think its really good. Especially as a reference book.
Yeah, the book is not a usual 'c++ learning' book that starts by 'hello world' and ends with classes (or maybe some template basics). It actually targets the c++ standard, and in my opinion stroustrup did a good job in this point.

[Bad Sector]

As a reference book it might be good (its written by the language's author anyway). However that doesn't make it a good book for learning the language. Personally i believe that its better (and easier) to learn C before learning C++, thus i recommend Kerninghan and Richie's The C Language book. This one is targeted to people who want to use it for learning the language.

But if you want to learn C++ without messing with C, i know no answer .

[Unconscious]

I'd rather jump straight into learning C++ - I consider learning C beforehand, like learning Actionscript 1, before moving onto Actionscript 2. Just a tad unnecessary, and time consuming in my books - and by the time you've mastered it (or make notable progress) the next version will be released.

I spent 2 years trying to learn AS2, only for AS3 to be released straight after, in which the syntax and functions have had a complete overhaul.

[Rizimar]

I'd rather jump straight into learning C++ - I consider learning C beforehand, like learning Actionscript 1, before moving onto Actionscript 2. Just a tad unnecessary, and time consuming in my books - and by the time you've mastered it (or make notable progress) the next version will be released.

Are you kidding? C came about in 1972 and C++ sprung up in 1983. I don't think the "next version" will come about anytime soon

I mean, they both update standards periodically, but it's not like there's going to be a C++++ anytime soon.

But you really ought to learn C first. It's certainly not a waste of time. (And speaking of wasting time, you've been putting off writing that paragraph that I need for that review of yours that I'm editing... )

[Bad Sector]

C and C++ are different languages, despite C++ being mostly compatible with C (most C programs compile with a C++ compiler with no or few modifications, usually just adding some typecasting because C++ is more strict with types). If you're looking for an "upgrade", check D (there is a free compiler available for some platforms and a GNU compiler in the works that will use the gcc backends).

[Rizimar]

If you're looking for an "upgrade", check D (there is a free compiler available for some platforms and a GNU compiler in the works that will use the gcc backends).

He should just stick with C/C++. The main benefit of D is garbage collection, but C/C++ is standardized.

[David]

If you're looking for an "upgrade", check D (there is a free compiler available for some platforms and a GNU compiler in the works that will use the gcc backends).

He should just stick with C/C++. The main benefit of D is garbage collection, but C/C++ is standardized.

In the new C++ Standard, which will be assumedly introduced around 2009, garbage collection is included. But in _my_ opinion garbage collection isn't really a big benefit (I like to keep check on my memory management ). So he should defenitely stick to C or C++.

[Bad Sector]

Depends. For engine programming, for performance reasons, its best that you manage your memory. For tool and application programming, its best to use garbage collection so that you have this damn tool finished sooner .