Good Incentive

Hey guys, need incentive to program games? Here's what the job's all about! Check out the whole site, it has a lot of useful info.

http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson15.htm

Topics Covered

1. Data types, Variables and Standard I/O: I covered this one a while back. I learned basic concepts like C++ and the details of a 'Hello, World!' code. I just wish I could learn more about the preprocessor directive (#include) but apparently I will in the future when I'm ready. I found this great site that's got data types in detail is from cplusplus.com

http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/variables/

2. Truth, branching and game loops: Ah, now I'm getting warm. I finally cover the basics of what I believe I'll be using a lot in game programming. Note to self - Must pick up randomizers quick. Logical operators, switch statements and basic loops (if, while, do) are the order of the day.

3. For loops, strings and arrays: Call me dumb, but arrays have always been the bane of my existence. But since I started taking my training seriously, I realized they are not so bad. Even multidimensional arrays don't trouble me anymore. All it takes is focus and practise. For loops, I hear, are some of the most used devices in the game programming industry.

4. Standard Template Library: I'm still in this chapter. All (good) compilers usually grant the users access to a library of codes for future use. APIs like DirectX and OpenGL also make use of this concept but also offer images and soud for game programmers, but I digress. For now, I'm happy with a basic library, just to know what the hell I'm doing. I covered drawing on the library for components such as randomizers (ctime, cstdlib) and containers like vectors.
A good site for downloading great templates is SourceForge -

http://sourceforge.net/search/?type_of_search=soft&words=c%2B%2B

I just got into Algorithms. If you are tired of long-ass blog entries, never fear. I was simply filling you in on what's been done so far (see entry topic), so bring on the late nights and throbbing headaches. I was born for it!

So Far

Right now, I've got about 4 months to get up to speed before university woes ensue. My focus is the C++ Programming language. I've got so much material on C++, but very few of them actually make any kind of sense to me. At a glance, my library contains
- Jamsa Klander's C/C++ Programmer's Bible
- Beginning C++ Through Game Programming (Second Edition by Michael Dawson)
- NIIT's Programming in C++ Vol 1
- The C++ Programming Language (Third Edition) (by the creator of C++ - Bjarne Stroustrup)

and a plethora of site links, which I will fill you in on as I progress. Over time and trial and error, I have come to the conclusion that the absolute best start based on my resources would be Beginning C++ Through Game Programming. It's like £25 brand new and £15 fairly used, but you must get it with the CD which contains all the tutorial codes (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beginning-Through-Game-Programming-Second/dp/1598633600/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1242298458&sr=8-1)

The book starts real slow which suits me to a point (hey, self taught C++ ain't no walk in the park you know) but picks up speed about three chapters in and just keeps gathering speed. It's important that you don't miss anything or skip any chapters to avoid getting stumped later.

When I'm done with this book, I believe I will be decent enough to proceed with Jamsa Klander's book. For now, I've got work to do (no I mean real, part-time Debenhams work. Night Shift can be a real energy burner) Next time, I'll go into detail on my training. For now, ciao!

Introduction

Hey all! Let me start by stating for those who are under the impression that this is a blog for a professional or even decent programmer that it in fact is not. I am a 21 year old who's only programming languages include Visual Basic, C# and C++. And even those, I'm not particularly profficient at.

In Visual Basic, I have only created the following: A word processing application, A calculator, A web browser, A client registration application for an insurance company and a couple of interactive novels (all incomplete). In C#, I am only that less profficient and let's just say that my C++ skills are at a work in progress stage. I was introduced to the world of computing at a relatively advanced age (17), but have developed a passion for it. I particularly love videogames and know that my love of programming was only taking me down one lane: Game Programming.

Now, if you are reading my blog, I can only assume two things, you love programming or you are a curious acquaintance of mine. For the latter, I say 'Hey there, what's crackalacking!', but for the former, you would be well aware of how challenging game programming can be. Right now, many would be thinking, how can a guy with 4 years experience with computers and a so-called passion still possess such relatively mediocre programming skills and then delude himself on a desire to become a game programmer. To those guys, I'll only say this once, I wasn't always so level-headed. I used to be a slacker and a day-dreamer. My acceptance into the University of Nottingham for a degree in Computer Science has changed all that.

This blog will encompass my journey from 'rookie' to 'programmer', however long that takes. I hope that for those of you out there who also hope to become programmers or any other kind of software developer, you can draw inspiration from my adventures (or misadventures) depending on the circumstances. For now, I simply say - "Buckle your seatbelt, darling! It's gonna be a bumpy ride!"