quote:Original post by Anonymous Poster
Also DapQB, you are new to the game, so here are a few pointers..

I know what you are thinking, we all thunk it at one time or another. "G, this QB stuff is a cinch, i''ll just figure out what the pros used to make game XYZ and then i''ll learn about it and i can then do the same thing!" I dont want to burst your bubble, but it dont work that way!!!! I can hear you already, "AW MAN" "WHATEVER, I KNOW IM GOOD"

The name of the game for all professional computer games is simply this: DATA STRUCTURES.

What are they?

Data structures are theoretical concepts put into daily use by software developers. They are literally structures of data, and the algorithms that are used to manipulate them. What is an algorithm? Quite simply it is a procedure by wich something gets done. Such as an "algorithm" that draws a line from point A to point B.

Other data structures include: Linked Lists(normal, circular etc), Stacks, Queues,priorety queues etc., Search Trees and tree traversal algo''s(including binary, multiway,B-trees,AVL,RedBlack,this list goes on), Heaps, Graphs, sorting algos and this list goes on too..

The point is, before you get to involved with trying to figure out how to use directX, openGL and all that other stuff, try to build a solid foundation that has nothing to do with the current industry and all to do with how that industry was built in the first place. All of the above are taught using standard console applications. That is because graphics and games are built around managing your data. So first learn to MANAGE YOUR DATA, and then take the step up into the messy world of Microsoft API''s, windows, and graphics!!

Recommended books for you:
1)NOTHING TO DO WITH WINDOWS, OR VISUAL C++ in 21 DAYS
2)Almost anything to do with "introduction to computer science"
3)Almost anything to do with "Data Structures"
4)At this point, nothing to do with Windows/DirectX/OpenGL

Things you need to know:
1)first, learn your way around the visual C++ compiler.
2)get a good feel for the standard library
3)get a book on beginning c++, not on using MFC, there is a difference.

The Microsoft Foundation classes are used to aid programmers in developing windows applications, exactly what you want to avoid at this point. Remember, you want to feel comfortable managing your DATA before you jump into windows, GUI''s, and graphics.

Learn about variables, functions, POINTERS, object and procedurally oriented programming, what a call stack, heap, statically and dynamically allocated memory is. Learn about strings and how to allocate them, copy and manipulate them, the differences between short, long, unsigned, const, static, and other such variable types including ints, char''s floats, doubles and how to input and output all and manipulate the output.

Learn how to use arrays, 2d arrays, classes, structures, file-I/O and the like. Once you have the basics down, and can efficiently make use of the standard library, then begin learning the different types of data structures. Once you get a good grasp on the most important and basic structures, then try and build more complicated programs using them. Such as a large multi-treed database search engine, with multiple menu options and situations such as adding, deleting, editing customers and their orders for instance. Include options such as searching via ID numbers, phone, or order numbers. Include options for printing customer information, and order information for each specific order, add product waitlists and customer remarks. Make sure that you store your data on disk. Also take note, if your database is 2gigs, but you only have 70 megs of ram, you need to figure out efficent methods of loading files or else you wont have any memory. The customer database is one of the most commonly used teachers in programming because it requires many concepts to be practiced.

The reason a lot of people get burned out on game programming is because much of it has to do with the above. Programmers spend most of their time MANAGING THEIR DATA, and not tinkering with cool special effects and other fun things. Why do people go to college and study computer science? Because in college they teach you to manage and optimize you data, without mentioning a single API, Operating System, or industry specific method of doing things. (until you take those specific senior courses!) Most of the time, you learn about data structures, analyizing them, and the mathmatical reasoning behind them. So learn to master your data, and build anything!! Learn an API or how to "use" C++, and struggle to keep up with the changes. Its your choice! C++ will be gone one day, but the chances that a solid foundation of mathmatically based knowledge will change are less likely, especially in your working lifetime.

So just remember this, Once you master your data, you can do anything!!