7 replies to this topic

[vaironl]

Hello Guys I was seeing the sticky about compilers and all that stuff here. and some of you probably 3 people ( now me). I need to know a good windows compiler linker and i forgot if i need something else I know i need to get updated on this subject but i want to create a cheap game with c++ i know i must start a hello . But i still need some other help to start like what to use what to do where to go blah.. Btw i have a good C++ book to help

[Alexander]

I am afraid your statements are a little unclear. If you are looking for a compiler (and linker) for Windows, Visual C++ is a good one, as is MinGW which is a port of GCC. Both of these options have compilers, assemblers and linkers.

[Zer033]

I'd recommend Visual Studio. You can get the express edition free. To create a simple game I would focus on first learning C++ then moving onto DirectX or SDL which are APIs/libraries for developing games (graphics, input, networking, etc). You'll be able to create simple 2D games fairly easy with DirectX or SDL. 3D is a bit more difficult, but you can probably use those to put something together as well. From there maybe try out some game engines like Ogre, irrlicht, or UDK (i recommend UDK).

First things first though, you need to focus solely on C++ before trying to step into making a game. Learn the fundamentals, variables, functions, control structures, arrays, string manipulation, and file manipulation are usually the first things taught. From there be sure to understand scope rules and when variables are visible and invisible, this can be confusing for some new programmers and they tend to rely on global variables a lot. From there move onto custom data structures (classes, structs), then pointers, and finally data structures (linked lists, queues, etc). Now this is just a general guideline, and I'm probably forgetting, or purposely leaving out some of the other stuff that you'll need to know. The main point is focus on C++ before trying to take on too much with making a game.

[vaironl]

Zer033 said:

I'd recommend Visual Studio. You can get the express edition free. To create a simple game I would focus on first learning C++ then moving onto DirectX or SDL which are APIs/libraries for developing games (graphics, input, networking, etc). You'll be able to create simple 2D games fairly easy with DirectX or SDL. 3D is a bit more difficult, but you can probably use those to put something together as well. From there maybe try out some game engines like Ogre, irrlicht, or UDK (i recommend UDK).

First things first though, you need to focus solely on C++ before trying to step into making a game. Learn the fundamentals, variables, functions, control structures, arrays, string manipulation, and file manipulation are usually the first things taught. From there be sure to understand scope rules and when variables are visible and invisible, this can be confusing for some new programmers and they tend to rely on global variables a lot. From there move onto custom data structures (classes, structs), then pointers, and finally data structures (linked lists, queues, etc). Now this is just a general guideline, and I'm probably forgetting, or purposely leaving out some of the other stuff that you'll need to know. The main point is focus on C++ before trying to take on too much with making a game.

This is the advice I was looking for, exactly has I expected. I will first focus on very basic I already have C skills from bot ball Competition using Interactive C. So then Visual studio will do for now I guess the book practice problems+ youtube= Total learning

[vaironl]

Alexander said:

I am afraid your statements are a little unclear. If you are looking for a compiler (and linker) for Windows, Visual C++ is a good one, as is MinGW which is a port of GCC. Both of these options have compilers, assemblers and linkers.

Sorry for that I knew i kinda was unclear I usually am because of English has my second L . but no excuses. Visual++ will do :D

[Alexander]

This is a good option. Visual C++ is essentially C++, although Microsoft includes various extensions that can make working with the Dot Net framework or Direct X easier. This includes a framework called XNA, which I believe allows rapid development of games in Direct X platforms.

[vaironl]

Alexander said:

This is a good option. Visual C++ is essentially C++, although Microsoft includes various extensions that can make working with the Dot Net framework or Direct X easier. This includes a framework called XNA, which I believe allows rapid development of games in Direct X platforms.

Sorry to ask this question but is XNA a software library or just a library?

or is Direct X the game library I confused myself.

[Alexander]

vaironl said:

Sorry to ask this question but is XNA a software library or just a library?

or is Direct X the game library I confused myself.

DirectX is a collection of APIs (Direct3D, Direct Sound, etc.) and can be considered a multimedia or game library.

XNA is a set of tools provided by Microsoft to aid in working with DirectX. It includes a framework, there is also an XNA Studio (IDE)
Microsoft XNA - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia