Tips for learning c++

[Archetype117]

Hi.

 

Just wondered if anyone has any tips for learning C++ or any programing in general. I want to learn it but just don't know where to start

[Enderman]

https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-website-like-Codecademy-for-C++

[Archetype117]

Thanks

[Ifree2pay]

I would also suggest you try the programming resources in our forum as they have quite interesting material. Here they are

[Ifree2pay]

Also What I would suggest for everyone in every programming language is, except for gathering resources and reading as much as you can, try to build something yourself. And by this I don't mean follow a tutorial. Get an idea for something fun to do. Start as simple as possible and to that. You will learn problem solving which is necessary in programming and when you are done after facing adversities, you will feel a great gratification. So find something fun to do, draw your inspiration online maybe and get programming

 

Edit: grammar

Edited September 7, 2016 by Ifree2pay

[Archetype117]

Just now, Ifree2pay said:

Also What I would suggest for everyone in every programming language is, except for gathering resources and reading as much as you can, try to build something yourself. And by this I don't mind follow a tutorial. Get an idea for something fun to do. Start as simple as possible and to that. You will learn problem solving which is necessary in programming and when you are done after facing adversities, you will feel a great gratification. So find something fun to do, draw your inspiration online maybe and get programming

That's why I want to learn programing. You can literally make anything if you work with it hard enough

[Dat Guy]

I learned most languages by looking at other people's code and trying to make something with it.

[Midnight]

don't start out with pointers and you should be fine.

[Jimi_19]

Here you go! http://stackoverflow.com/questions/388242/the-definitive-c-book-guide-and-list

 

my advice ? Don't overblow c++ and pointers too much, as long as you pratice simple examples and see what it is, you'll understand basic pointers in a matter of days.

Keep practicing, and know there's really no right way to do things. C++ has a lot of freedom on how one might go about things. It falls more on your own style. It is my first language I learned , and I liked it very much. Don't forget to make mini projects for the skills you learn. You need tiny programs and useful algorithms to test out your new skills. Also don't be afraid to spend more than half your time investigating references rather than trying to wing it. Don't make functions too big. Keep them small and with a clear task. (don't make functions for every little thing as well). Don't forget to indent your code and write in a way that makes it easier for you to read it.  have fun

[leobeosab]

Don't start with C++, start with Python it's a much better language for beginners and those who are just learning Python can do much more than C++ beginners. You can use Python to write a GUI way easier than C++, with Python you can interact with the real world using the Raspberry pi and so much more. It's much easier because it isn't nearly as strict of a OO language like C++. After you've learned Python jumping into C++ will be a breeze. 

 

https://www.codecademy.com/learn/python

[Guest]

I would highly recommend "Absolute C++" as a reference. I was using that to learn at my other college, and it was soooo informative and to the point. 

 

Full PDF versions are easily found online in google searches, however it may be considered Piracy so I cannot recommend you do so. It can be very cheap to purchase, and I prefer the physical copies. 

 

In addition the projects at the end of each chapter are very smart and tie into the lesson very well building upon the previous lessons. 

[ClobberXD]

Also, dive deep into Qt - it's full of classes, inheritance, overloading, etc. filled to the brim with OOP features (as you know C++ is better than C mainly because of OOP).

 

Also as a bonus - you get to work with the best, super-robust, cross-platform (even embedded systems) frame-work for application development, especially for GUI. I've just started working with Qt, and am very happy about my decision...

[mathijs727]

26 minutes ago, Anand_Geforce said:

Also, dive deep into Qt - it's full of classes, inheritance, overloading, etc. filled to the brim with OOP features (as you know C++ is better than C mainly because of OOP).

 

Also as a bonus - you get to work with the best, super-robust, cross-platform (even embedded systems) frame-work for application development, especially for GUI. I've just started working with Qt, and am very happy about my decision...

Is Qt paying you to say this?

 

In my experience with PyQt Im not convinced at all.

I also messed with it in C++ and I hate how it mutalates the developer environment.

A good framework would not require a IDE plugin to be used.

Furthermore, Qt designer is absolutely awfull compared to Android Studio's or Visual Studio's (UWP apps) visual designers.

Support is also bad by deprecating things they have just introduced un the last version.

Try writing an OpenGL application with Qt, its a mess with the everchanging Qt API . And even worse: Qt leaking OpenGL state.

 

To give users an optimal experience you need to adapt to the platform they're running.

With Qt you're making something that feels out of place on most platforms.

This is why I absolutely hate web apps (apps that are actually websites, like PhoneGap junk).

[ClobberXD]

On 9/9/2016 at 6:48 PM, mathijs727 said:

Is Qt paying you to say this?

 

In my experience with PyQt Im not convinced at all.

I also messed with it in C++ and I hate how it mutalates the developer environment.

A good framework would not require a IDE plugin to be used.

Furthermore, Qt designer is absolutely awfull compared to Android Studio's or Visual Studio's (UWP apps) visual designers.

Support is also bad by deprecating things they have just introduced un the last version.

Try writing an OpenGL application with Qt, its a mess with the everchanging Qt API . And even worse: Qt leaking OpenGL state.

 

To give users an optimal experience you need to adapt to the platform they're running.

With Qt you're making something that feels out of place on most platforms.

This is why I absolutely hate web apps (apps that are actually websites, like PhoneGap junk).

Oh no! I've just begun with Qt, and hence I find it extremely helpful, easy, and and breeze to create apps with, from my view-point. I'm also only creating very basic widget applications, so I can't comment on its visual issues when deployed cross-platform, or about its tight OpenGL integration. Also, I've never seen any other implementation so smooth, like the Signals & Slots mechanism. To me, Qt is the dream-liner that helped me cross the vast void between CMD-driven apps, to GUI apps with buttons, line-edits, and other UI elements. 

 

I recommended Qt to OP because, Qt with C++ is full of OOP concepts, like virtual functions, overloading, templates, etc. It will be very helpful for the OP, to learn true C++ with the aid of this frame-work.

 

If mine is a half-true answer, accept my apologies, but this is just my opinion, from the way I've used Qt...

 

BTW, I've still got Windows 7, can I create UWP apps? What is UWP actually, and how different is it from other 'regular' windows apps? Can it be created using C++?

 

Thanks!

[mathijs727]

2 hours ago, Anand_Geforce said:

Oh no! I've just begun with Qt, and hence I find it extremely helpful, easy, and and breeze to create apps with, from my view-point. I'm also only creating very basic widget applications, so I can't comment on its visual issues when deployed cross-platform, or about its tight OpenGL integration. Also, I've never seen any other implementation so smooth, like the Signals & Slots mechanism. To me, Qt is the dream-liner that helped me cross the vast void between CMD-driven apps, to GUI apps with buttons, line-edits, and other UI elements. 

 

I recommended Qt to OP because, Qt with C++ is full of OOP concepts, like virtual functions, overloading, templates, etc. It will be very helpful for the OP, to learn true C++ with the aid of this frame-work.

 

If mine is a half-true answer, accept my apologies, but this is just my opinion, from the way I've used Qt...

 

BTW, I've still got Windows 7, can I create UWP apps? What is UWP actually, and how different is it from other 'regular' windows apps? Can it be created using C++?

 

Thanks!

You need Windows 10 to develop UWP apps.

 

Im not sure what the exact differences are but:

• UWP runs on all types of devices (including Xbox)
• Supports new UI stuff that is easier, scales better to different screen sizes and doesnt fuck up on high DPI devices (4k desktops, high resolution tablets/laptops)
• Better input handling (touch, motion sensors, etc)

[SteveGrabowski0]

On 9/7/2016 at 11:18 AM, Archetype117 said:

Hi.

 

Just wondered if anyone has any tips for learning C++ or any programing in general. I want to learn it but just don't know where to start

Start with a different language. Something like Python:

 

https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-computer-science-mitx-6-00-1x-8

 

Trying to learn C++ or C as a first language gets you into some bad habits that you'll have to break later on. They're awesome and very powerful languages once you know how to program though. But they're terrible for learning how to program.

[ClobberXD]

On 9/29/2016 at 9:52 PM, mathijs727 said:

You need Windows 10 to develop UWP apps.

 

Im not sure what the exact differences are but:

• UWP runs on all types of devices (including Xbox)
• Supports new UI stuff that is easier, scales better to different screen sizes and doesnt fuck up on high DPI devices (4k desktops, high resolution tablets/laptops)
• Better input handling (touch, motion sensors, etc)

Are you using VS? My installer gets stuck at around 90% when I try to install the Windows 10 SDK 10.0.10240 but I do have the project templates...

[mathijs727]

25 minutes ago, Anand_Geforce said:

Are you using VS? My installer gets stuck at around 90% when I try to install the Windows 10 SDK 10.0.10240 but I do have the project templates...

Im not currently working on a UWP app (just plain old Win32, although I might convert it if I have the time).

The Windows 10 SDK installed for me without problems and I can run the template project (this is on Windows 10 Anniversary and Visual Studio 2015 Community Edition).