Noob question: When is time to move on and where to?

Si0n · 2004-10-09T20:11:01

I just started learning C++ a week ago, so I don't expect to "move on" anytime soon, of course. But I want to know at what time I can move on and where to. FOr example, when will I be able to deal with graphics? After I mastered the console and events? And what kind of API: Win32, OpenGl, DirectX? Also, what books will help me get through certain topics? (I know there is a book review section, but I'd like specific opinions from you guys =P) For C++, I have: The Complete Reference and Beginning C++ Game Programming (I will probably finish the last this weekend, it's pretty easy).

Si0n

136

Author

October 09, 2004 04:34 PM

I'll buy it for my birthday, next month (gonna turn 17 and don't even have a car =( )
Anyway, I hope it's not over 50 bucks, cuz I haven't been able to get a job (i applied to over 50 places easily) and I have a twin, so we don't get that much money for birthday, and since the rest of my family lives in another country...

By the way, here is a nice little program that I made today (it's a two player game cuz I haven't implemented the AI)
The game revolves around making squares. If you make a square you get a point and it's your turn again, if you don't, it's the other person's turn.
The point system is a little messed up, but I'll fix it in the next version. Along with putting music (MIDI), a "clickable" '?' (help), AI (tough AI!) and other stuff....

tell me what you guys think ;) (but no flaming please, only been programming C++ for a week or so)

main.cpp

#include "game.h"#include "conio.h"#include <stdlib.h>int main(){		COORD title = {32, 10};	COORD thankyou = {60, 24};	HANDLE OutH = GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);	SetConsoleTextAttribute(OutH, FOREGROUND_BLUE | FOREGROUND_INTENSITY);													SetConsoleCursorPosition(OutH, title);	cout << "THE DOT.GAME!";	title.X =23;	title.Y +=1;	SetConsoleTextAttribute(OutH, FOREGROUND_RED | FOREGROUND_INTENSITY);	SetConsoleCursorPosition(OutH, title);	cout << "Created by Byte Me! Productions";	title.X =26;	title.Y +=1;	SetConsoleTextAttribute(OutH, WHITE);	SetConsoleCursorPosition(OutH, title);	cout << "Press any key to start...";	while(!kbhit()) {}	system("cls");	GAMEDATA game; 	game.init(); 	 	while(1)	{		game.getInput();		if(game.gameOver()) {			game.calcWinner();			break;		}	}		SetConsoleCursorPosition(OutH, thankyou);	cout << "Thanks for playing our shitty game...";	return EXIT_SUCCESS;}

game.cpp

#include "game.h" /* See "game.h" for more information *//* Constructor - Only one, no need to pass parameters */GAMEDATA::GAMEDATA() {	srand(GetTickCount()); /* Seed random number generator */	winner = NO_WINNER; /* Nobody has one yet */}/* Initiate GAMEDATA */void GAMEDATA::init(){		/* Initiate Grid */	for(int i = 0; i < (BOARD_WDTH * BOARD_HGT); i++)	{		screen_buff.Char.AsciiChar = (char)grid;		screen_buff.Attributes = FOREGROUND_BLUE; 	}	/* Could also do this 	for(int x = 0; x < BOARD_WDTH; x++)	{			for(int y = 0; y < BOARD_HGT; y++)		{			screen_buff[x+y*BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar = (char)grid[x+y*BOARD_WDTH];			screen_buff[x+y*BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_BLUE; 			}	} But we are far too cool, so we don't... */	/* Get our standard input and output handles */	out_handle = GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);	in_handle = GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);	/* Set the rect of where we want to draw to */	scr_rect.Left = X_START;	scr_rect.Right = X_START + (BOARD_WDTH - 1);	scr_rect.Top = Y_START;	scr_rect.Bottom = Y_START + (BOARD_HGT - 1);	SetConsoleMode(in_handle,ENABLE_MOUSE_INPUT);	turn = rand()%2; /* Randomly pick who starts */	p1Points = 0;	p2Points = 0;	drawScreen(); /* Draw the screen */}/* Draws the screen with the cool looking grid */void GAMEDATA::drawScreen(){		COORD p1 = {X_START,1};	COORD p2 = {BOARD_WDTH-3,1};	COORD size = {BOARD_WDTH , BOARD_HGT}; /* The size of the buffer in (width, height) format */	COORD corner = {0, 0}; /* Upper left corner to begin writing buffer from */								if(turn == 0)	{		SetConsoleTextAttribute(out_handle, FOREGROUND_GREEN | FOREGROUND_INTENSITY);														SetConsoleCursorPosition(out_handle, p1);		cout << "Player 1";		SetConsoleTextAttribute(out_handle, WHITE);		SetConsoleCursorPosition(out_handle, p2);		cout << "Player 2";	}	else	{		SetConsoleTextAttribute(out_handle, FOREGROUND_GREEN | FOREGROUND_INTENSITY);														SetConsoleCursorPosition(out_handle, p2);		cout << "Player 2";		SetConsoleTextAttribute(out_handle, WHITE);		SetConsoleCursorPosition(out_handle, p1);		cout << "Player 1";	}	WriteConsoleOutput(out_handle, screen_buff, size, corner, &scr_rect);}/* Get the user input (mouse clicks) */void GAMEDATA::getInput(){	int x_pos, y_pos, actX, actY;	INPUT_RECORD input_record; /* Keeps track of your inputs */	DWORD events; /* Necessary for events */	/* Get any input */	do{		ReadConsoleInput(in_handle, &input_record, 1, &events); /* '1' means only 1 event to keep record */		if(input_record.EventType == MOUSE_EVENT) /* Check for mouse events */		{			/* If they DID NOT hit the left mouse button, we don't care about the input */			if(input_record.Event.MouseEvent.dwButtonState != FROM_LEFT_1ST_BUTTON_PRESSED)			{ /* Waits for input */			}			else			{				/* Get the coordinates the clicked on */								actX = input_record.Event.MouseEvent.dwMousePosition.X-X_START;				actY = input_record.Event.MouseEvent.dwMousePosition.Y-Y_START;				if(screen_buff[actX + actY * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar == 46) /* If it's a ".", then we are set */				{					x_pos = input_record.Event.MouseEvent.dwMousePosition.X;					y_pos = input_record.Event.MouseEvent.dwMousePosition.Y;					screen_buff[actX + actY * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_GREEN | FOREGROUND_INTENSITY; 					drawScreen();					break; /* Breaks loop */				}							}				}	} while(1); /* Keeps going until you do what we want... */	getInput(x_pos,y_pos);	}void GAMEDATA::getInput(int x, int y){		int x_pos, y_pos, actX, actY;	INPUT_RECORD input_record; /* Keeps track of your inputs */	DWORD events; /* Necessary for events */	/* Get any input */	ReadConsoleInput(in_handle, &input_record, 1, &events); /* '1' means only 1 event to keep record */		if(input_record.EventType == MOUSE_EVENT) /* Check for mouse events */	{		/* If they DID NOT hit the left mouse button, we recall the function untill they do */		if(input_record.Event.MouseEvent.dwButtonState != FROM_LEFT_1ST_BUTTON_PRESSED)		{ 		  getInput(x,y); 		  return;		}		else 		{			/* Get the coordinates the clicked on */			actX = input_record.Event.MouseEvent.dwMousePosition.X-X_START;			actY = input_record.Event.MouseEvent.dwMousePosition.Y-Y_START;			if(screen_buff[actX + actY * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar == 46) /* If it's a ".", then we are set */			{ 				x_pos = input_record.Event.MouseEvent.dwMousePosition.X;				y_pos = input_record.Event.MouseEvent.dwMousePosition.Y;				if(x==x_pos && y==y_pos)				{						screen_buff[x-5 + (y-5) * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_BLUE;					drawScreen();					getInput();					return;				}				else if(!validPts(x,y,x_pos,y_pos)) /* If points are not valid (i.e. 5x5 and 11x5 (too far!)), re-type a second point */				{					getInput(x,y);					return;				}								}			else /* Otherwise, recall the function */			{ 			  getInput(x,y);			  return;			}		}	}		screen_buff[actX + actY * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_GREEN | FOREGROUND_INTENSITY;	drawScreen();	/* FOR DEBUGGING PURPOSES:  cout << x << y << "  " << x_pos << y_pos; */	fillIn(x,y,x_pos,y_pos);}void GAMEDATA::fillIn(int x, int y, int x_pos, int y_pos){		int rX, rY, value;   /* vertical | */   if(x==x_pos)   { screen_buff[x-5 + ((y+y_pos)/2-5) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar = (char)179;	 screen_buff[x-5 + ((y+y_pos)/2-5) * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_GREEN | FOREGROUND_INTENSITY;	 rX = x-5;	 rY = (y+y_pos)/2-5;	 flag = 0;   }	/* horizontal - */   if(y==y_pos)   { screen_buff[(x+x_pos)/2-5 + (y-5) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar = (char)196;	 screen_buff[(x+x_pos)/2-5 + (y-5) * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_GREEN | FOREGROUND_INTENSITY;	 rX = (x+x_pos)/2-5;	 rY = y-5;	 flag =1;    }   screen_buff[x-5 + (y-5) * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_BLUE;   screen_buff[x_pos-5 + (y_pos-5) * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_BLUE;      value = madeSquare(rX,rY,flag);      if(value!=0)	if(!turn)		p1Points+=value;	else		p2Points+=value;	else		if(!turn)			turn++;		else			turn--;   	drawScreen();}bool GAMEDATA::validPts(int x, int y, int x1, int y1){	if((x-2==x1 || x+2==x1) && (y==y1))		return true;	if((y-2==y1 || y+2==y1) && (x==x1))		return true;	return false;}int GAMEDATA::madeSquare(int x, int y, int f){   	int total = 0;	/* If last input is horizontal*/	if(f)	{	/* Checks bottom */		if(y<18) {		if(screen_buff[x-1 + (y+1) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar != 32 &&		 screen_buff[x+1 + (y+1) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar != 32 &&		 screen_buff[x + (y+2) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar != 32) {			total++;			if(!turn) {				screen_buff[x + (y+1) * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_RED | FOREGROUND_RED;				screen_buff[x + (y+1) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar = (char)49;			}			else			{					screen_buff[x + (y+1) * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_RED | FOREGROUND_RED;				screen_buff[x + (y+1) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar = (char)50;			}		}		}		if(y!=0) {			if(screen_buff[x+1 + (y-1) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar != 32 && /* Checks top */				screen_buff[x-1 + (y-1) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar != 32 &&				screen_buff[x + (y-2) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar != 32) {					total++;					if(!turn) {						screen_buff[x + (y-1) * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_RED | FOREGROUND_RED;						screen_buff[x + (y-1) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar = (char)49;					}					else					{							screen_buff[x + (y-1) * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_RED | FOREGROUND_RED;						screen_buff[x + (y-1) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar = (char)50;					}			}		}	}	else	{		/* Checks right */		if(x<18) {		if(screen_buff[x+1 + (y-1) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar != 32 &&		 screen_buff[x+1 + (y+1) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar != 32 &&		 screen_buff[x+2 + (y) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar != 32) {			total++;					if(!turn) {				screen_buff[x+1 + (y) * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_RED | FOREGROUND_RED;				screen_buff[x+1 + (y) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar = (char)49;			}			else			{					screen_buff[x+1 + (y) * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_RED | FOREGROUND_RED;				screen_buff[x+1 + (y) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar = (char)50;			}		}		}		if(x!=0){			if(screen_buff[x-1 + (y+1) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar != 32 && /* Checks left */				screen_buff[x-1 + (y-1) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar != 32 &&				screen_buff[x-2 + (y) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar != 32) {					total++;									if(!turn) {						screen_buff[x-1 + (y) * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_RED | FOREGROUND_RED;						screen_buff[x-1 + (y) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar = (char)49;					}					else					{							screen_buff[x-1 + (y) * BOARD_WDTH].Attributes = FOREGROUND_RED | FOREGROUND_RED;						screen_buff[x-1 + (y) * BOARD_WDTH].Char.AsciiChar = (char)50;					}					}	}	}	return total;}bool GAMEDATA::gameOver(){		for(int i = 0; i < (BOARD_WDTH * BOARD_HGT); i++)	{		if(screen_buff.Char.AsciiChar == OPEN)			return false;	}	return true;}		 void GAMEDATA::calcWinner(){	COORD p1 = {60,12};	COORD p2 = {60,13};	SetConsoleCursorPosition(out_handle, p1);	cout << "Player 1 - " << p1Points;	SetConsoleCursorPosition(out_handle, p2);	cout << "Player 2 - " << p2Points;}

game.h

#ifndef GAME_H#define GAME_H/* Include libraries and define standard namespace */#include <windows.h>#include <iostream>using namespace std;/* Define Winners */#define NO_WINNER	0#define PLAYER1		1#define PLAYER2		2#define TIE			3/* Define Turns */#define P1TURN 1#define P2TURN 2/* Colors */#define WHITE FOREGROUND_RED | FOREGROUND_GREEN | FOREGROUND_BLUE#define BACKGROUND_WHITE BACKGROUND_RED | BACKGROUND_GREEN | BACKGROUND_BLUE/* Define Grid */#define X_START 5#define Y_START 5#define BOARD_WDTH	19#define BOARD_HGT	19#define OPEN 32 /* 19 x 19 - OPEN = empty space and 46 = '.' */const int grid[] = { 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46,  OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN,  46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46,  OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN,  46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46,  OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN,  46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46,  OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN,  46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46,  OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN,  46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46,  OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN,  46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46,  OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN,  46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46,  OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN,  46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46,  OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN,  46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46, OPEN, 46,};class GAMEDATA{		public:		/* Constructor */		GAMEDATA();		/* Deconstructor */		// ~GAMEDATA();		void init(); /* Init game data */		// Data Access ***			int getTurn() const { return turn; }			int getWinner() const { return winner; }		// *** End of Data Access		/* Sets a character on board */		void setScreenBuff(int x, int y, char c, bool scrCoords = true);				/* Draws grid on screen */		void drawScreen();		/* Gets user input */		void getInput();		void getInput(int x, int y);				/* Increments to the next persons turn */		void nextTurn();		/* Figures out who won the game */		void calcWinner();				/* Fills in grid */		void fillIn(int x, int y, int x1, int y1);		/* Free Memory */		void FreeMem();		/* Checks if they are valid points */		bool validPts(int x, int y, int x1, int y1);		/* Check if part of the grid is already filled */		bool isFilled(int x, int y);				/* Checks if Sq. Made */		int madeSquare(int x, int y, int f);		/* Check if game is over */		bool gameOver();	private:		/* The actual board */		CHAR_INFO screen_buff[BOARD_WDTH * BOARD_HGT];				HANDLE out_handle; /* Handle to the "screen" */		HANDLE in_handle; /* Handle to the "keyboard" */		SMALL_RECT scr_rect; /* This rect specifies where on the screen (where in our console								window) should we draw the tic-tac-toe board to */		int turn; /* Who's turn is it? */		int winner; /* Who has won? */		int p1Points;		int p2Points;		int flag;};#endif

Si0n

136

Author

October 09, 2004 04:37 PM

Quote:Original post by lack o comments
Quote:
Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus

That book was my bible for a period of about 9 months =)
If you haven't bought it, do so now. It covers just about everything you will need to start making games for Windows. And I mean EVERYTHING. Mr. LaMothe also has a second edition follow-up that goes deep into 3D.

Since you are just staring, this book is probably far ahead of you, but it will definitely come in handy down the road.

Always plan ahead =)

Is the 3d good also?
And does it cover AI, scripting, etc? I only heard good things about it, it seems like a good buy. =)

aaroncox1234

298

October 09, 2004 05:50 PM

The 3D book is great! It covers nothing but 3D graphics though so you'd have to look elsewhere for AI stuff. It also doesn't cover any API's, it uses directX basically to just draw lines and pixels and does all the 3D stuff in software. If you're serious about graphics, I'd recommend reading it before learning an API. That way you'll understand everything that's going on.

-------------------------------See my tutorial site: Click here

Si0n

136

Author

October 09, 2004 06:56 PM

For those who have both books, can you trace the required knowlegde and the ending knowledge (if that makes no sense, I mean how much you have to know to get started and how much will you have known when u finish)

lack o comments

416

October 09, 2004 08:01 PM

Quote:
I'd recommend reading it before learning an API.

I totally agree with this, I have always thought it better to learn how to do it yourself before using someone else's API

Quote:
can you trace the required knowlegde...

That is a tough question to answer because eveyone learns differently. I'm self-taught, so I had to learn all this stuff the bass-akwards way;)

I would suggest a firm understanding of the C/C++ language and at least a good concept of how exactly your program is processed by the computer. As far as math skills, the basic four aught to work. Almost all the math in the world revolves around adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.

However, even if you don't know enough yet, these books will come in handy later, I assure you.

Quote:
...and ending knowledge

You will learn the very basics of the Windows programming model (enough to make a game), all the major componts of DirectX, the basics for AI and physics, and the math and theories behind all this stuff. Geez, I feel like I'm sellin' the book for the guy;)

Quote:
tell me what you guys think ...

My god! What is this crap! Why I outta.... ha ha ha, just kidding =) Keep up the good work.

JimPrice

815

October 09, 2004 08:11 PM

You don't have to spend lots of money - there are libraries out there....

Jim.

Noob question: When is time to move on and where to?

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