I am new to programming. I have been studying c++ relentlessly as well as browsing some game programming books. What are "the" actual first few steps in making a game such as a side shooter...(and I do mean THE first few baby steps such as where specifically to starting the code)... and can I use microsoft visual c++ compiler for decent results?? Lastly, should I focus more on OpenGL or Direct X as I plan to be a graphics programmer over the yrs. Thanks in advance!

My skills are that of a newbie. I have Viusal C++ 6. I have done a simple tic tac toe in text and coded in source files but that is as far as I ever got. I wonder if I should use the wizards for my windows or try to build my own gui with code?? And if so where would I start coding physically on my computer..??(besides keyboard hehe)

You learn by doing and gaining experience. The more you do things, you become more experienced and can build off your knowledge to always do things better.

Start with what you know and start working on projects. Read everything you can and try to apply things. Try to copy other programs, by thinking about how they work and how you would duplicate them. Code, read, learn, experience, Code. It never really ends. You just become higher and higher level of proficiency (if you discipline yourself).

The only way to ever truly learn is by doing, that is why math and physics classes make you do tons of problems. The more problems you do you gain experience on how to solve them and how to use the information more effectively. They give you a few templates by demonstrating the solution to some sample problems. It's the same with code. You read a book, it gives you some templates on how you can solve a problem in a particular way. But there is usually other ways to do it too.

Always think things through. If you get stuck there is this forum. Try to make sure you understand the problem before asking questions though. Too many people do not fully understand the problem and ask ambigous questions that can't be answered.

Good luck and stick to it.

First off, thank you all whom have taken time to respond to my thread. Anyhow, I currently have software for DX and OGL and VC++6.0 and I am currently studying beg game programming in C++ as well as a C++ reference guide. I hope those are good starts.....However, I am curious ss to the beginning process of using Win 32 first or should I start coding in the source file .cpp? I am just trying to figure out the "first" steps that would make sense in say for example a simple Tic Tac Toe game or CHESS game. Would using Win32 allow me to code in source file later or vice versa....? Where would be the best place to begin the process in my VC++6.0? Thx again in advance.....

I highly recommend NOT using a wizard to create you window or any other application stuff. You'll learn the stuff much better if you do it yourself, and by the time you become proficient, your needs will be specific enough that the wizard doesn't cut it anymore.