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[Ringmaster]

Hi everyone! I'm not entirely sure this is the correct forum (This isn't technically a creative project, not yet, at any rate), but it seemed the most suitable.

To sum up my goals, I want to learn to code (in C++, specifically). But that sounds entirely too vague and too far-reaching to be an attainable goal, so I've formatted a little objectives list for me:

Goals

• The Basics: Try and gain an understanding of what the language is all about. Work out what, exactly, 'Object-Oriented' programming means. Familiarize myself with the things like functions, classes, etc.
• The Intermediates: Have a look at the more advanced concepts of C++, I've no idea what they are at the moment so this goal is currently to be fleshed out.
• The Intermediates, II: Challenge myself, look at or make up some small projects (Maybe you guys could help me with that?) to do purely for the experience.
• Ultimate Goal: Now that I've hopefully obtained the necessary machinery to plan and tackle large projects, I should put that to use and make one. The entire reason behind this challenge is because I'd quite like to create some sort of simple roguelike game that can hopefully provide some entertainment to people. (This, naturally, is where the creative part of this creative project comes in).

Resources

• CProgramming.com's C++ Tutorial.
• (Half of) Programming with Objects: A Comparative Presentation of Object-Oriented Programming With C++ and Java by A. Kak, helpfully provided by IEEExplore.
• My own personal, basic knowledge of MATLAB (Esoteric, I know). I'm hoping the basic concepts in that language will sort of carry over to C++.

My intention is to at least keep this thread updated with how I'm doing, the bare minimum I will be doing is crossing out each goal as I feel I satisfy them (Hopefully adding a datestamp or something). Anyone who wants to join in (My other hope is to make a post every now and then, summing up what I've learned so far, weblog-style) is welcome to!

[Anvilfolk]

As usual, I'd suggest an easier language to get into, like Python. It'll sidestep a lot of the boring and incomprehensible issues with programming with C/C++, and probably keep you motivated for longer.

If you're still going to go for C++... good luck!

[Arx]

cplusplus.com is a good reference, with a few tutorials.

As for MATLAB, I don't think that'll help much. C++ is very unfriendly, very rigid; it's not exactly out to get you, but it's quite different to the way MATLAB looks. Good luck, and always remember the programming thread in GD if you get stuck and no-one notices you here.

[cerapa]

I personally learned with the help of http://www.learncpp.com/ and just jumped straight into C++, but like Anvilfolk said, you might want to try a less complicated language first. If you have problems getting motivated then you might not be very happy about the time it takes to get to actual graphics beyond just writing stuff to the console.

And I suggest you start making small things as soon as you can. You can do a lot of stuff with just variables and if's. Programming smaller stuff will give you an understanding of the basics that you will be using absolutely everywhere, without overloading you with complicated concepts. And don't be afraid if you can't remember the syntax specifics or have to consult the tutorials frequently. I have to consult the documentation all the time, even though I have made a working planet/galaxy generator

[RiordanIX]

I agree, learncpp.com is a great resource. That's how I learned/am learning a lot of it. I'm also learning SFML too, and the official tutorial is alright.

[mastahcheese]

I'm going to PTW this, as I one day hope to learn how to code at least something on my own.