I need some advice about reading material for learning vc++/directx programming. I am working on some prototypes in visual studio using DirectX. I am trying to demonstrate simple things like how to use c++ to do sprite animation in interesting ways. Specifically, I am working on a graph editor for building nav meshs for bots to use A* pathfinding to find a users own ship (simple sprite). The app checks for user input and re-draws the new position based upon the result. And the bots calculate the shortest path each time through the loop and the language moves the bot closer to the user’s ship.
Anyhoo. I am getting into difficulty with the language and specifically how to implement design patterns. The problem is obviously that I have never read any official tutorial style book about c++ before. I have Stroustrup’s book for reference. And I have followed tutorials, just clearly not enough of them to be able to turn concepts into code. I have also watched a lot of video tutorials.
What I have been told to do by the guru’s on freenode’s #c++ and here (GameDev.net) is to read a book. The guy’s on #c++ have a list of books (some of them are very dated). And one of my thoughts was since I am using vc++ to interact with DirectX that I should buy a book centred around that specifically. Rather than just command line c++ stuff. I am at a loss as to what I should read. And by read, I mean that I want something that I can read cover to cover, word for word. Just to absorb as many skills as I can.
At least if I do this then the guy’s on the forums and in chat can’t fob me off by telling me to go and read a book. I really don’t want to jump back into the code base I have been working on until I have completed a thorough treatment of a decent text book.
So my question is this. Can you recommend a book? I feel at this stage that just one book should be enough. The reason I am coming to you is that you are a professional vc++/DirectX coder amongst other things.
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Steve Wiseman
