Starting out

[Gumbi]

Hey guys, been off and on trying to learn a programming language, hopefully I'm not too late to start yet (I'm only 17, but I've hear most programmers start when there like 12). Anyway, I'm looking for a few good books. I'm going to need them for a guide/tutorial on starting out, for reference, for practice, and possibly just to help out my coding in general? Read the sticky on resources but not exactly sure what each of the books contain. Hopefully someone can help, thank you in advance!

[cod3b3ast]

Gumbi, don't worry about your age. I pretty much didn't start until college (19 yrs). I have to work a lot harder than the people who started at 12, but at the end of the day I don't think it matters. As far as books go, you can probably get about anything to teach you the basics of a language. There are a ton of good online references for that. For higher-level programming strategies, I have Code Complete 2 by Steve McConnell that is a pretty good resource.

Good luck coding!

[WingedPanther]

Thinking in C++ is pretty good, and a free download.

[Gumbi]

Ok thanks guys. I think I'm going to start out with the "for dummies" series, and after that I may branch out into other books. Just need to get the basics down first. Also, what other elements/languages am I going to need to learn to make games? I've heard of stuff like open GL but not sure if thats all I'm going to need or not. Thanks a ton for the posts guys!

[Osnarf]

Amazon.com: C Programming Language (2nd Edition) (0076092003106): Brian W. Kernighan, Dennis M. Ritchie: Books
If you want to learn C, that is without a doubt what I would go with. As the description says, "concise and powerful - like the c language".
Its about 300 pages. Definitely a good starting book.
Its $17 used on amazon.com currently.

If you want to learn C++..
Well, I personally don't have much experience with it, but I have seen on numerous forums the best way to start is
Amazon.com: Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example (9780201703535): Andrew Koenig, Barbara E. Moo: Books
In the beginning of the book it gives you a series of books to read after that one, that will pick up where the other left off.
I beleive they are
-accelerated c++ ($20 used on amazon.com)
-exception c++
-more exceptional c++
-modern c++ (?)

[Guest]

Ok thanks guys. I think I'm going to start out with the "for dummies" series, and after that I may branch out into other books. Just need to get the basics down first. Also, what other elements/languages am I going to need to learn to make games? I've heard of stuff like open GL but not sure if thats all I'm going to need or not. Thanks a ton for the posts guys!

In C and C++, there are libraries that extend the functionality of the language. These libraries can provide graphics, sound, input, etc. Which libraries you want to learn and use for game development is up to you.
There are websites like GPwiki that can help you figure out which libraries are best for you: Game Programming Wiki - GPWiki

[Osnarf]

http://pelusa.fis.cinvestav.mx/tmato...g_Language.pdf

Free The C Programming Language eBook - WooHoo!

[JCoder]

Also, what other elements/languages am I going to need to learn to make games?

Any modern language with OpenGL / DirectX bindings will do if you need 3D games. If you want to restrict yourself to 2D games, any language will do, even one among those languages considered "slow" like Python or ActionScript. You are probably not going to make any AAA games soon, so try to avoid C++, at least at the beginning. It is not a good language for a beginner - it is needlessly overcomplicated, has too many inconsistencies and self-contradictory features, ancient compile system, crappy IDEs, cryptic compile errors and many problems found nowhere else. You can easily find yourself fighting with the language instead of solving real problems.