Well, I am a C++ programmer.
Atleast, I have got the basics.
Like I can do while loops and if statements, with bool true or false, integers and all that basic stuff.
You know the game Dwarf Fortress?
I want to learn how to make it so in C++ there is a down and up button
and it can scroll the menu
how would i do that?
- Brad
1
2D Game Creating?
Started by Ipwnedx, Jul 05 2011 10:28 PM
9 replies to this topic
Sponsor:
#2 Members - Reputation: 880
Posted 05 July 2011 - 11:19 PM
Hi Brad,
Dwarf Fortress is a huge project, but you could probably pull it off given enough time.
DF is IIRC rendered with SDL. I suggest you play around with SDL a bit, and learn good design principles.
When you then feel like you're good at inheritance and making a clean design, jump right into it.
The mouse interface will probanly be the easiest part. Gui though can be difficult depending on its scale and flexibility.
Good luck!
Dwarf Fortress is a huge project, but you could probably pull it off given enough time.
DF is IIRC rendered with SDL. I suggest you play around with SDL a bit, and learn good design principles.
When you then feel like you're good at inheritance and making a clean design, jump right into it.
The mouse interface will probanly be the easiest part. Gui though can be difficult depending on its scale and flexibility.
Good luck!
#3 Members - Reputation: 100
Posted 05 July 2011 - 11:28 PM
Thank you VERY much SuperVGA!
Since Im learning C++ from a book, I am learning for statements at the moment...
So im not sure
I might try it out, first im going to go to sleep
in the morning i will
I'll be sure to shoot you a PM
Thanks anyways!
Since Im learning C++ from a book, I am learning for statements at the moment...
So im not sure
I might try it out, first im going to go to sleep
in the morning i will
I'll be sure to shoot you a PM
Thanks anyways!
#4 Members - Reputation: 880
Posted 06 July 2011 - 12:29 AM
Also check out my response to caladan yesterday, some of the links i posted there may be useful when you're still learning:
http://www.gamedev.net/topic/605584-new-to-game-development/page__p__4831250__fromsearch__1#entry4831250
http://www.gamedev.net/topic/605584-new-to-game-development/page__p__4831250__fromsearch__1#entry4831250
#5 Members - Reputation: 144
Posted 06 July 2011 - 07:23 AM
If you're only learning for loops right now, I think you're jumping the rope a little too early here.
I'd highly suggest that you don't move on to graphics, and that you stick with the basics for a while longer.
Don't try to get ahead of yourself, keep going at the basics until you feel that you're completely fluent.
I'd highly suggest that you don't move on to graphics, and that you stick with the basics for a while longer.
Don't try to get ahead of yourself, keep going at the basics until you feel that you're completely fluent.
#6 Members - Reputation: 100
Posted 06 July 2011 - 10:28 AM
Will do KazenoZ.
Thanks both of you guys, real lifesavers there.
But just a last question...
If i do about 30 minutes a night on my C++ book,
about how long will it take until I become, erm, good at C++?
Like, very good.
(Book has about 400 pages)
Thanks both of you guys, real lifesavers there.
But just a last question...
If i do about 30 minutes a night on my C++ book,
about how long will it take until I become, erm, good at C++?
Like, very good.
(Book has about 400 pages)
#7 Members - Reputation: 880
Posted 06 July 2011 - 01:00 PM
Forever. ;-)
-You need to practice to get good at C++, no matter how good or how many pages you read.
(I figure it's like that with most things; cooking, drawing, carpentry etc.)
But reading books will probably help if you do it next to the programming. I find that after 17 years of programming, I finally find good use of software design books, while I learnt best by doing, earlier.
I suggest coding about all concepts you encounter, and messing with every code sample you find. Also, for a beginner, reading short best practice guides or advice online is IMO the strongest way to get started, but people learn differently.
-You need to practice to get good at C++, no matter how good or how many pages you read.
(I figure it's like that with most things; cooking, drawing, carpentry etc.)
But reading books will probably help if you do it next to the programming. I find that after 17 years of programming, I finally find good use of software design books, while I learnt best by doing, earlier.
I suggest coding about all concepts you encounter, and messing with every code sample you find. Also, for a beginner, reading short best practice guides or advice online is IMO the strongest way to get started, but people learn differently.
#8 Members - Reputation: 144
Posted 06 July 2011 - 02:04 PM
Like VGA said, it will take a while.
You can't measure how long it takes to be good, since the definition of good is not a strict one, but depends highly on what you think it means.
Also, obviously each person has a different rate of learning, spending 30 minutes a day may be enough for a person with a supercomputer's mind to process, learn and get "good" at the language in less than that, but an average person would probably take years, given that little time a day both to learn and practice.
30 minute in itself is a really short amount of time, and by what you say, you're using it to both learn and practice, you need to remember that most experience does come from practice, and practice is not something you can accomplish, atleast not well, with only 30 minutes a day.
I don't mean to discourage you, you can still do very well, but you will run into a limit very soon with that little time you spend.
You can't measure how long it takes to be good, since the definition of good is not a strict one, but depends highly on what you think it means.
Also, obviously each person has a different rate of learning, spending 30 minutes a day may be enough for a person with a supercomputer's mind to process, learn and get "good" at the language in less than that, but an average person would probably take years, given that little time a day both to learn and practice.
30 minute in itself is a really short amount of time, and by what you say, you're using it to both learn and practice, you need to remember that most experience does come from practice, and practice is not something you can accomplish, atleast not well, with only 30 minutes a day.
I don't mean to discourage you, you can still do very well, but you will run into a limit very soon with that little time you spend.
#9 Members - Reputation: 549
Posted 07 July 2011 - 11:15 AM
Hey Ipwnedx,
Just wanted to throw this in just in case you're looking for more resources - I found this website called http://gameinstitute.com/. It's an online game development school that teaches you (almost) all of the nitty gritty stuff of game programming in C++. I already knew how to code but i was looking for some review materials, specifically on its more advanced topics and just decided to include the C++ courses as well. Each course includes a book, and a power point slide w/ audio for each topic in the entire course. I can't say this enough but their book, lecture, and code project materials are so detailed that it's ridiculous! Sometimes to the point that it gets kinda boring sometimes but they really make sure you get the stuff they're talking about. The course instructors are all industry veterans. Some of them have written top-selling game development books that are a must in your book collection(Andre La Moth, Adam Hoult, Frank Luna). And their courses aren't that super expense either. So i really suggest trying it out if you have the money to spend.
Check this C++ sample lecture that they have if you like it: http://www.gameinstitute.com/apps/samples.php?coursecode=CPP1
And no, i'm not being paid for doing this. Just wanted to share this since I find this site the MOST HELPFUL in learning game programming compared to all the game development books, and possible game schools, out there.
Just wanted to throw this in just in case you're looking for more resources - I found this website called http://gameinstitute.com/. It's an online game development school that teaches you (almost) all of the nitty gritty stuff of game programming in C++. I already knew how to code but i was looking for some review materials, specifically on its more advanced topics and just decided to include the C++ courses as well. Each course includes a book, and a power point slide w/ audio for each topic in the entire course. I can't say this enough but their book, lecture, and code project materials are so detailed that it's ridiculous! Sometimes to the point that it gets kinda boring sometimes but they really make sure you get the stuff they're talking about. The course instructors are all industry veterans. Some of them have written top-selling game development books that are a must in your book collection(Andre La Moth, Adam Hoult, Frank Luna). And their courses aren't that super expense either. So i really suggest trying it out if you have the money to spend.
Check this C++ sample lecture that they have if you like it: http://www.gameinstitute.com/apps/samples.php?coursecode=CPP1
And no, i'm not being paid for doing this.
Just wanted to share this since I find this site the MOST HELPFUL in learning game programming compared to all the game development books, and possible game schools, out there.
