What books should i get
 

Ok i got a bargin yesterday Game Programming for windows for £6 so i brought when i saw it however i don't know C++ or C and it doesn't have a compiler with it so what would people reccomend for

A.) Books
B.) C/C++ Compilers

Thanks in advance

leejames04

C++
 

I too am learning C++ or at least going to learn and i just downloaded Microsoft Visual Express

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/ex...s/default.aspx


I havnt got into it just yet but this might help you out a bit.


Cheers

C and C++ compilers
 

Hey leejames04,

I am also getting back in the game industry. I wrote an ancient game with one other guy that sold $750,000 way back in 1983. It was "Sword of Fargoal" for Epyx in Silicon Valley.
Your question about compilers and tools might be found here. It's free and has links to
other resources.

http://www.thefreecountry.com/compilers/cpp.shtml

Good Luck,

Scott Corsaire

This might answer a few questions for you. I have basically taught myself the majority of code and practice I know with the help of some instructors but I was always one or two steps ahead of my class so here are some of the resources I used.

Compiler
Visual Studio 2005. Great compiler offered by Microsoft
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/default.aspx

C++ Resources
C++ tutorials and resources offered by about.com
http://cplus.about.com/od/introducti...pbeginners.htm

XNA
Xna is great and easy I highly suggest it. it has awesome tutorials and documentation. Also it lets you program for the Xbox360. It requires C# which is a mix of C++ and Java.
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/xna/aa937795.aspx

Books
DirectX
http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Mu...7349000&sr=1-6
C/C++/Java
http://www.amazon.com/How-Program-Fo...7349251&sr=1-6

Hope this helps. Happy Studying :)

3D Game Programming All-in-One
Good for learning to work with existing tools/engine
http://www.amazon.com/Game-Programmi.../dp/159200136X


Beginning Game Programming
Better if you're more interested in the "from scratch" approach
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...53/cygadnet-20

Both HagNasty and iddqd have you on the right track. Focus on the core design and build outward. Have a plan and create at least one back-up plan.
If you use a tool for more than 30 days and it does not give you the results you require. Call the companies tech support before getting too frustrated and scapping the whole project.

Good Luck and Rock on.

I converted to visual express compiler from visual c++ 6's. ALthough the compiler seems hard to get to grips with at first and throws a lot more linker errors as it's more specific on setting up projects, it leaves less room for error later on. Definitly worth a look as it's pretty much the mainstream compiler for c++.

You can download free ebooks from torrents that can help you.

Amazon is a very cheap site to buy help books off :)

Thinking in C++ Vol 1 and 2 by Bruce Eckel - Free eBook. Highly recommended.
C++: A Dialog by Steve Heller - Another free eBook. Comes recommended by many programmers.

Both of these are beginner to intermediate level.

C++ FAQ Lite _ Must read C++ FAQ.

Other books to read:
Effective C++ - intermediate C++ gotchas
Exceptional C++ - intermediate C++ gotchas
Code Complete - General programming book based around development practices and procedures.
Pragmatic Programmer - Another general programming book like Code Complete.
Rapid Development - Planning software projects with case studies that can be related to.
Design Patterns - Common OO design patterns with possible applications and examples.