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C++ Workshop - Introduction

Jeromy Walsh · 2009-06-20T01:17:02

Greetings All! Here is an update to the C++ Workshop proposal. Thanks to those people who've expressed feedback about the idea. I'm looking forward to seeing how this little project turns out. C++ Workshop Proposal (Start date: June 1, 2006) Note: The following is simply the current incarnation of an idea by JWalsh. There has been no formal approval yet by the staff or moderators of GDNet. Overview: This workshop is designed to aid people in their journey to learn beginning C++. This workshop is targeted at highly motivated individuals who are interested in learning C++ or who have attempted to learn C++ in the past, but found that without sufficient support and mentoring they were unable to connect all the pieces of this highly complex but powerful programming language. This is a 'guided' self-teaching C++ workshop. Each student is responsible for taking the time to read the material and learn the information. The community and tutors that arise out of this workshop are here for making the learning process run more smoothly, but are not obligated to baby-sit a person's progress. Because everyone will be working from the same textbook, students may find it easier to get answers to the specific questions they might have. There is no minimum age requirement, and there is no previous programming experience required. Additionally, this workshop does not attempt to defend C++ as a language, nor does it attempt to demonstrate that C++ is either more or less useful then other programming languages for any particular purpose. People who intend to start a discussion about the differences between C++ and ANY other languages (except as are relevant to a particular discussion), are encouraged to do so elsewhere. This workshop is for educational, not philosophical discussions. "C++ Workshop" Summary: Anyone interested in participating will purchase the official workshop "textbook" (See below), either from Amazon.com, a local bookstore, etc...(No “signup” is necessary) Each week participants are responsible for reading 1 chapter of the book. As people have questions on a chapter they may post them in our weekly chapter threads (see below), to be answered by tutors (see below) and other students. Tutors may post additional questions to help test the students' understanding of the material. Each month there will be a programming project (see below) - designed to test a student's understanding of the previous 4-5 chapters. Students can optionally complete these projects and post a link to their source code for review. Textbooks: After looking at over a dozen textbooks I have chosen "Teach yourself C++ in 21 Days (5th Edition)" as the official textbook for the workshop. The reasons for this are as follows: It covers the majority of relevant C++ topics briefly enough to be an easy learning tool but thoroughly enough to be a useful reference It explains things in an easy to read format by accompanying all concepts with complete example programs, without spanning several pages It answers the majority of beginning C++ questions I see appear on GDNet. All examples include the code listing, output, and an analysis of the code All examples include line numbers for easy reference It includes a brief summary, questions & answers, quizzes, and exercises at the end of every chapter. It's 5 editions have been widely read by many individuals and so it's had a chance to "mature." The easy reference cards on the back and front inside covers are useful reference items It rings up at around $35. Cheaper then "C++ Primer Plus" at around $50.00, and my personal favorite "C++ How to Program" at $99.00. Now that we've chosen a textbook, specifically one with 4 previous editions, there will invariably be questions about needing to purchase the 5th edition of our textbook. Q. I own a physical copy of a previous edition of the book. (likely 3rd or 4th edition) Do I still need to purchase the 5th edition? A. No. It looks like the previous editions are close enough to the current edition (5th edition) that if you've got a physical copy of a previous edition, there probably isn’t a need for purchasing the latest edition, unless you find it necessary as we advance. In general, just keep the edition you've got and see if you can follow along. If you find that you cant follow along or aren’t able to get your questions answered, then it might be best to “upgrade” to the 5th edition. Q. I don’t have a physical copy of “Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days,” but I found that there’s a free version of the 2nd edition online, is that acceptable? A. I'd like to discourage it. Not because the 2nd edition won’t be close enough for you to follow along with, but because there's just no replacement for having a physical copy of a book. It gives you the ability to go sit down and read it, fully absorb yourself in it, and then come to the computer only when necessary for doing exercises. It means you can read it while your friends/wife/parents are driving and you're in the car, you can read it at lunch, on a plane, at the park, while waiting in the dentist office, etc...As well, it comes with nifty reference cards on the inside covers. Finally, having the books means you can prop it on your desk and do the exercises with the book open without having to Alt-Tab back and forth between your compiler and your web browser. In general, a physical book is just an easier way to learn. Q. I don’t have a copy of "Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days," but I have another textbook that was highly recommended to me and I feel comfortable using that book instead. Is that ok? A. Yes, but there’s a catch. You wont be able to follow along closely with us and we wont be able to answer your C++ questions as effectively. So I encourage you to purchase the textbook. If you don’t, you're still welcome to ask/answer C++ related questions as they relate to the current topics, use our questions as a way to measure your own understanding, and complete our projects as an exercise to help you develop your skills. If your lack of textbook becomes an issue, we'll politely let you know and ask you to either purchase the textbook, or direct your questions to either the "For Beginners" or "General Programming" forums. This workshop is ultimately for people who want to learn together by reading a common textbook and then answering each other's questions. It only stands to reason that if you don’t have the textbook, this might not be the best forum for you. Chapter Threads: There will be a new forum created for the workshop. Each week a thread will be created that covers the current chapter. People can then post their questions and answers for the current chapter in that thread. People who come late to the workshop can read over the previous threads and continue to post their new questions. The weekly chapter thread will be mirrored (and stickied) in "For Beginners." The first post of each weekly thread will be structured with a brief introduction to the workshop, and provide links back to the C++ Workshop Forum and the "Tutors" thread (See below), so that people can easily navigate to us from FB, and follow the conversation of the current week. Project Threads: Threads will be created for each of the "Projects of the Month," where the first post outlines the details and requirements of the project. People can then use those threads to discuss the project, get design ideas, ask questions, and post their links to completed projects. About IDE's: For numerous reasons, Visual C++ EE is the recommended IDE for this workshop. Participants who are already familiar with another IDE, however, are encouraged to use whatever they feel will help them learn most effectively. To keep the workshop moving along, no assistance will be given for installing or configuring any other IDE then Visual C++ EE. Other members of the workshop wishing to submit installation and configuration guides for additional IDE's are welcome to do so. The Future: I can definitely see doing continuing workshops on more advanced topics and other programming languages if this experiment proves successful. Some other obvious topics include: Data Structures The Standard Template Library DirectX OpenGL Mathematics for Computer Graphics (Linear Algebra) Video game Physics Windows Programming (Win32 API or .NET) Shader programming (Pixel/vertex) Skeletal Animation and Modeling Procedural Texturing and materials Network programming Programming languages and translators C++/CLR and the .NET Framework Library And of course a language class can be done for any common language for video games - Java, C#, Python, Lua, ... Cheers! [Edited by - jwalsh on September 28, 2006 11:12:00 AM]

CPP Workshop Workshops

Started by JWalsh May 14, 2006 01:11 PM

261 comments, last by Melvin18 14 years, 12 months ago

imagin

100

May 15, 2006 03:42 PM

i will join in, i want to start C++ :)

contact me at tyjotr@aol.com
Thanks

programwizard

100

May 15, 2006 03:47 PM

Quote: Original post by Alpha_ProgDes
Also I think it should be mandatory that everyone use VC EE OR Dev-C++.

I vote for VC EE, simply because of the excellent debugger. Though I think it would be acceptable for students to use any compiler, provided they note which one they are using.

------------------------------Support the Blue Skies in Games Campaign!A blog... of sorts.As a general rule, if you don't have a general rule in your signature, you aren't as awesome as someone who does. General rules roxor teh big one one ones.

JWalsh

498

Author

May 15, 2006 04:03 PM

Heya All,

About Textbooks:

Here are the "textbooks" that I've narrowed it down to. I'm making another run to some bookstores this afternoon to make a final decision, unless anyone has other titles to propose:

Beginning C++ Game Programming
C++ Primer Plus
Sams Teach Yourself C++ Programming in 21 days
C++ Without Fear
C++ Programming for the Absolute Beginner
Schaum's Outline of Programming with C++
C++: A Beginner's Guide

About IDE's:

As for IDE, there will definitely be a standard for the workshop. It will most likely be Dev-C++ as it comes with many of the books, it has a small download size for those who don’t have the books but want to follow our discussions, and is relatively easy to get working.

I believe Visual Studio is the superior IDE, but its large download size and its VAST array of settings, etc...can sometimes make it overly complicated for the novice programmer.

About Tutors:

As for the tutors, once we get a forum of our very own, we will once again post a thread for people to 'apply' for tutorship. This will include posting a brief history, work experience, and education. People will be chosen from those who apply. Tutors will then be stickied in a thread called "C++ Workshop Tutor Bio's." The thread will be closed for general posting and will just serve as a place where people can go to learn a little something about those who are helping them and claim to be "experts." [smile]

People who are tutors are welcome to put something in their signature, but I don’t see GD.net adding new tags just for the C++ Workshop tutors - though if our little program proves successful, and it branches out into other languages or more advanced topics, it may yet be a possibility.

Cheers!

Jeromy Walsh
Sr. Tools & Engine Programmer | Software Engineer
Microsoft Windows Phone Team
Chronicles of Elyria (An In-development MMORPG)
GameDevelopedia.com - Blog & Tutorials
GDNet Mentoring: XNA Workshop | C# Workshop | C++ Workshop
"The question is not how far, the question is do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed?" - Il Duche, Boondock Saints

Photonman

174

May 15, 2006 04:19 PM

I couldn't give any recommendation on books, but I'm sure any one of the above would be a good choice. I'm sure that anywhere the book(s) are lacking, the combined knowledge of the instructors will serve to iron things out.

As far as compilers, I think that Dev is *much* more beginner friendly. Easy to set up, somewhat more customizable, waaaaay smaller, and the devpaks are idiotproof. Although VC++ EE is a superior compiler. I think that if and when we get a new forum, we should post a giant "start here" sticky with recommendations/links/instructions/tips for compilers, books, online resources, course outline, and perhaps even an "Is programming right for you" article. That should hopefully sort all the applicants and get them ready and primed for the course.

Also, as I said, I would really love to teach, although I have little in the way of credentials. I'm only eighteen. I took one high school intro course, and other than that, I'm self taught. All I have to my name is a rather basic 2D videogame I wrote in allegro (slither.freewebpage.org) and I read TC++PL...that's about it. I hope that's enough to qualify me :\

______________________________Stranger things have happened...The Following Sentence is True. The Above Sentence is False.

ForeverNoobie

134

May 15, 2006 04:43 PM

Quote: Original post by Photonman
Also, as I said, I would really love to teach, although I have little in the way of credentials. I'm only eighteen. I took one high school intro course, and other than that, I'm self taught. All I have to my name is a rather basic 2D videogame I wrote in allegro (slither.freewebpage.org) and I read TC++PL...that's about it. I hope that's enough to qualify me :\

lol, Im in the same situation as you. Im 17, completely self taught, and all I have to show for myself is one noobish game (tetris clone).

One suggestion I have is that we do team projects, to make the whole thing a little more interactive and social. But I think we should hold off on team projects untill the students show that they're stickin in it. It sucks when your team members disappear on you.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. – Leonardo da Vinci

Lacan

122

May 15, 2006 04:46 PM

I'm interested in joining this as a student.

blewisjr

752

May 15, 2006 04:56 PM

I was about to post some books as well from when I looked around. I will avoid posting them because many of them cross reference directly with your search so it is not necessary. You have a nice selection to choose from.

dbzprogrammer

100

May 15, 2006 08:12 PM

Quote: Original post by jwalsh
All,

I'll continue my research of good books tomorrow. At this point, I'm trying to stick with books in the range of about $25 USD. I know most people can't afford to spend much on programming books. Which is unfortunate. If I had my choice we'd use Deitel & Deitel's "C++ How To Program." It's an amazing book in my opinion....but it rings up at $99 USD. (ouch)

Cheers!

EDIT: Forgot to even mention the name!

I've read a few books on C++, if I hadn't, there's no way I would even try to tutor. A certain book I've read seems fairly good, "Object-Oriented Programming in C++." First off, it teaches C++ in a complete OOP manner. It has a slow learning curve, and slowly puts ideas out. It doesn't get tons of details like some of the other books, but it WILL teach you C++ all the same. Best of all, at the end of each chapter, it PROVIDES a summary, review questions, and excersizes. In the middle of the chapters, there are plenty of code examples. Now, there's no reason we can't add to this, but it'd definately help us get started quicker with less work.

A link to Amazon.com with user reviews:

Linky.

Looking over the web, the top price is $50 ($49.99) and goes as low as $30. Just my two cents for now.

If not this, I throw my ballet in for Beginning C++ Game Programming.

We should do this the Microsoft way: "WAHOOOO!!! IT COMPILES! SHIP IT!"

sanstereo

115

May 15, 2006 08:27 PM

C++ Primer Plus

I suggest this book as the course manual.
It helped me the most out of a gazillion C++ books when I was wee programmer.

How far into C++ is the program going?

Daniel Millerhttp://formulaic.net

Michael Tanczos

5,681

May 15, 2006 08:29 PM

Moodle would be IDEAL for this. If you can get past it's look, it's far superior to the Game Institute in format, better than Blackboard, better than most LMSs out there.

But then, I've spent the past entire semester researching online learning. A forum is probably not the best way to go.

And lastly, our forums do support sub-forums.

---
Michael Tanczos

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C++ Workshop - Introduction

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C++ Workshop - Introduction

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