So.. Just started with C++

iamdjdz · 1 May 2008 at 15:28

Right, I've always been interested in learning C++ and I've decided to give it a go, with the ambition of producing a program with a full GUI aimed at databasing files on a computer, from all directories and being able to show text files in my own viewer, and possibly pictures too. But that's in the distance. Been following a few online tutorials and using MS Visual C++ express and so far I've done a few simple variable programs etc. I have a tiny bit of experience with Visual Basic, and a bit more with Java - through a summer course I went on a few years ago.

Basically does anyone have any useful tuorials or advice that they can give me whilst I start, and hopefully get to a stage where I can understand C++ and what I need to acheive what I want?

Thanks

Shoseki · 1 May 2008 at 16:20

C++ tutorials abound online, simply google C++ tutorials.

The biggest complication you will find (if you are a competent programmer) is learning to use the API's for windowing, you are using Windows so you are probably using MVC/WIN32 API (though I am not certain of the other ones built into MVC++) but you can also use QT/GTK if you wish, its simply a matter of downloading the libraries and learning to build against them.

Databasing files on a computer doesn't require a complex gui, just an algorithm and a button to fire it - and isn't a c++ specific application, it could just as easily be done with PHP - but you will need a database, such as MSAccess, or my recommendation, MySQL, easily installed as part of XAMPP.

My suggestion would be to come up with an actual test application rather than dally around learning - the test application will force you to actually implement something specific that will come up with its own specific challenges, you will learn a lot more than simply reading.

Ladforce · 1 May 2008 at 16:23

Shoseki said:
C++ tutorials abound online, simply google C++ tutorials.

The biggest complication you will find (if you are a competent programmer) is learning to use the API's for windowing, you are using Windows so you are probably using MVC/WIN32 API (though I am not certain of the other ones built into MVC++) but you can also use QT/GTK if you wish, its simply a matter of downloading the libraries and learning to build against them.

Databasing files on a computer doesn't require a complex gui, just an algorithm and a button to fire it - and isn't a c++ specific application, it could just as easily be done with PHP - but you will need a database, such as MSAccess, or my recommendation, MySQL, easily installed as part of XAMPP.

My suggestion would be to come up with an actual test application rather than dally around learning - the test application will force you to actually implement something specific that will come up with its own specific challenges, you will learn a lot more than simply reading.

Good advice. Theres no better way to learn than designing and implementing a project. Start small and build up functionality and modules using different aspects of the language.

dave-lew99 · 1 May 2008 at 18:06

My best advice is to ditch MS Visual Studio (not a popular opinion i know) and pick up the book edition of Borland C++ Builder Personal 6

By book edition i mean theres one of those 'teach yourself' type books and can be had for around £30-40

Version 6 is very out of date, but its an excellent (and extremely cheap) place to start, up until a month ago my work was using version 5 for our flagship software! We've now moved to RAD Studio 2007 at the cost of several thousands of pounds.

Borland has that 'instant gratification' that i find very lacking in MSVC++ - all you have to do to get a gui app is file > new > project | F5 (Run) and it will run a blank application with an empty form.

It's easy to connect to a database as well as do anything else, plus there are many free packages availalbe like JediVCL - a few hundred new drag and drop components including ones for many windows advanced things.

At the code level, most C++ variations are more or less the same, this just makes it easy to build the GUI too.

furnace · 1 May 2008 at 18:36

I would stick with VC++ to be honest. It's very good.

Start a project and make sure you finish it (or at least get very close to finishing it

). For me, doing loads of random tutorials never worked. The only way I can learn is by doing things, and using someones tutorials in the context of my own project - rather than just blind following their tutorials.