vaironl

Neither is going to help you learn C++, especially since both are pure C APIs. You might be better off trying to use C++11 features or boost. While it's not a big difference, SFML might be a better choice than SDL in that regard as well.

In addition to what Trienco said (he's very right about the difficulty in learning C++ when using C libraries), C++ itself has no understanding of graphics or windows. I'd actually suggest you take a step back and work on a few console-only programs first with pure C++. Focus on learning C++. Then focus on learning different libraries and APIs. You'll find it quite difficult to learn how to use SDL or anything else if you don't yet understand the language you're using it in.

Thanks, to you both.
I actually have a book for learning c++ from the maker of c++ himself. I'll put that to good use as well.

He did not mention he want to do 3D graphics, hell he did not even mention he want real-time interactive graphic (but since he's on a gamedev forum I guess he do). If 2D is enough for you (and it should for a start) try having a look at SFML

As Dunge said, if you're interested in checking out SFML check out this tutorial http://www.gamefroms...PP-Edition.aspx I've personally followed it all the way through and I must say it's very well written. (It is written C++)

Is it ok if I stick with the language I know best (Java)?

I've made a couple of advances since this post. Here is the video of the game I'm making in 2D using Slick2D, and learning about 2Dimensional arrays and level design.
I will try to update my process of the game through the videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HytKxenTn0k

If you are serious about becoming a graphics programmer you need to have linear algebra experience.

If you just want to learn the basics then you don't need much linear algebra; you'll need to understand how a transformation matrix works, what a cross product and dot product are, how to manipulate vectors in space, and so on.

If you don't know how to do those things, then your first stop should be mathematics books. You'll find many books on the subject like "Mathematics for Game Developers", "3D Math Primer for Graphics and Game Development", "3D Mathematics for Game Development", and many others.

Thank you, I'm currently designing 2D games in Java but since I'm liking the subject I will challenge myself to learn the required math.

I really do not have much math experience (I'm now starting as a college freshman, first math will be Precalculus).
Also, thanks for the books I will look into the reviews and which might benefit me more.

When I usually do collision detection it is a square and the boundaries of the frame.......

Thanks.
I'M currently doing a 2D Game using Java . I'm randomly generating red blocks which are 32 x 32.
Now you say use a 2 dimensional array.
I understand how to make them but if my screen is 800 x 600 does that mean I would check every 32x32 area for a block?

Screen size != level size. I would model them as separate entities.

Your display is 800x600 pixels. Your level can be much bigger than that (if you want to be able to scroll around the level as your character runs around).

Your level should be of any size. It will be some number of tiles high and some number of tiles wide. You can model this as a Level object, which can contain the 2-dimensional tile array.

Your help was not a waste, .
I'm learning how to use the array to check for collision ( and it's actually coming out better than before)

I still don't know how to make the level bigger than the screen size, but I've notice that if I try to figure things out I do (this crappy simple game is an example)

I will try to update the process through videos frequently, once again thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HytKxenTn0k

When I usually do collision detection it is a square and the boundaries of the frame.......

Thanks.
I'M currently doing a 2D Game using Java . I'm randomly generating red blocks which are 32 x 32.
Now you say use a 2 dimensional array.
I understand how to make them but if my screen is 800 x 600 does that mean I would check every 32x32 area for a block?