starting out with C++

[ryn1727]

hey ive decided to start out programming with c++ but im not sure what i can do with it, like what things can i make with c++, and how difficult is it to learn if i buy a book/cd combo. I was also wondering if u guys had any tips for me, thanks

[inkedmn]

is this your first language? if so, try python instead :)

[busa_blade]

I would suggest that or java. Learning java would make a C++ transition smooth. Java would allow you to learn a lot of key concepts before moving to C++ which could prove frustrating until you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[LinuxRules]

I agree with the above. C++ is probably not the best choice for a first language, unless you are a really, really sharp guy. Something else you might want to consider for starters is Perl. It is easy to work with, pretty forgiving, and will teach you many of the basic concepts.

[inkedmn]

yes, but perl is ugly ;)

LinuxRules: where in SoCal are you?

[jetblackz]

http://jetblackz.freeservers.com/

Go down the page. Take your pick.

There are a number of online books/tutorials that are better than books.

[LinuxRules]

Originally posted by inkedmn
LinuxRules: where in SoCal are you?

Hey Brett, I am in a rural area of Riverside County.

How about you?

[inkedmn]

Originally posted by LinuxRules
Hey Brett, I am in a rural area of Riverside County.

How about you?

my wife and i live in Fullerton (North Orange County), but there's some talk of moving to the UK once we both finish school... (could just be talk though :))

[joearthur]

C++ is actually not bad... you can get the C++ for dummies.... it will actually teach you how to program if you follow it... problem is.... with c++ the whole deal is the different classes you can include... ie. if you really know how to use the string class your life will be a little easier... thing is, there are a S_load of different classes to include... and these aren't really covered in the for dummies book, or even in deitel and deitel... which is considered one of the better books... so, it is learning the syntax, learning about classes... learning polymorphism... bla bla bla.... then searching and finding all of the other info... kinda like linux huh?

could be worth the trouble though.... because in my honest opinion... who the fsck cares about pearl????

also what you will not hear about in this group, is that once you learn c++ and get pretty good at it, it would really pay to learn and get a good understanding of the .net framework... you can still be a gates-hater like most others on this forum but it really is good to learn and understand the .net... and really if you wanted to be super cool... you could leave all of us c++ goofs to our own devices and just go ahead and learn c#.... or for that matter you could be odd and different and learn pascal or basic or cobal.... whatever.... it is all about you and learning and trying... but appreciate this... it takes about 3 months to learn what the hell programming is and how to do it... and in that time you can learn how to program in a language... but it takes a hell of a long time to get really good at a language... trust me... there are people who have been programming in c++ for years who still get the old: why not just #include <blabidybloob> and you wouldn't have to do all of that.... and then you are like #@#$$*& "why the hell didn't i know that???"


...anyways i am rambling for no reason at all.... bla... point is, none of it is life altering... all of it is kinda fun... and if you have web access (which you do). all of the information in the world is there... there is no better... that is a big crock of ****... people who tell you there is... it is totally opinionated and biosed.... you might just totally hate what they love and love what they hate... it is no different then asking what is better toyota or honda... you will get opinions, not fact.!!!!

...and i can assure you.... spend 3 hours at barnes and noble... and you will know exactly what programming book you want to get. I'd put my paycheck on it.

[bwkaz]

Originally posted by joearthur
who the fsck cares about pearl???? No one cares about pearl. Pearl is a personal database engine that ran on CP/M-86 on my family's Osborne Executive waaay back in like '86 or so. No one cares about it anymore.

Perl, on the other hand, is used by just about every sysadmin at one time or another. Even if you don't know how to write perl code, you better know how to read it if you plan on doing any sysadminning ever. Because others will write it, and you better understand what it's doing.

[madcompnerd]

I'd start with a runtime language like Perl, PHP, or Java. Whatever you do, don't touch Javascript until you know some other language!
Compiled languages are harder to debug. If you have an error while the program is running it will just fail, and possibly give you a non-sensical error.
But C++ will be alright if you find something to teach you terminal programming in C++, I'd avoid gui's while learning the basics.

Don't touch BASIC at first, the syntax is proprietary and it is far too forgiving.

You're not learning a language at this point, you're learning how programming works, at a basic level.

[APwrs]

I also am making the addition (not transition, mind you) of C++ to my knowledge base, and I can attest to the fact that starting with Java and then going to C++ makes things much easier. Java is based on C++ so many things are the same, and other things are so similar that, while not the same, are easy to figure out. C++ will still throw curves your way, but, Java first, then C++ is a really good way to go. I would stay away from C#, it's just Micro$oft's version of Java basically (their blatant rip of it), it's not nearly as popular nor used as much as Java, and its syntax and structure is so close to Java you're best just sticking to Java in the first place. Besides, Java runs on Linux and Macs too. And C#? You can pretty well guess where that runs.

[madcompnerd]

C# run times and compilers for Linux are in development.
And C# uses property methods instead of 'get' and 'set'.
But yes, it sucks. And no, M$ isn't developing the Linux run time or compiler.

[elote_caliente]

C++ is a very powerful/flexible languange that will allow you to create just about any kind of program you want. However, with all that power comes complexity. I suggest you start off w/ Python. Python is also powerful and its syntax is way more friendlier and more easy to understand than C++'s. It's a good language to start off with. Give it a try!

--Python is fun!