A few years ago I decided to try to teach myself  to program using the C++ language.  My only prior programming knowledge was the ancient language of GW-basic and Q-basic.  Since I was trying to learn C++ on  my own I thought I would create this page to maybe help others who also wish to teach themselves this popular, practical language.

So far I have written 2 games.  They're
   very tiny, humble, little games, but they're
a beginning.  You can download them 
and give 'em a try if you want.  The only system requirements are Windows 95/98/ME/XP/Vista, and a Soundcard.
Just Unzip the file
into a folder, and then click on the .exe file. If you like them send me an email.

My first suggestion would be to purchase a "Teach Yourself C++" kit.  Best Buy has the kits (other computer stores also have them) for about $35.00.  Mine was called "Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days", published by Sam's Publishing.  Be sure your kit includes a complete compiler. Some kits I have seen offer a "lite", or partial compiler that only allows you to run your programs within the compiler itself - thereby not allowing you to create stand alone .exe files of your programs to distibute to others.

Of course you can't become a C++ expert in 21 days, but I followed along with the book as best as I could - understanding probably about 75% of  it.  Then I decided to try to create some of my own program ideas, using the book as a reference.  Since I mainly wanted to program games, I knew I would have to write a lot of graphics code.  This was a problem, because general C++ instruction books contain virtually NO mention of ANYgraphics routines.  How was I going to program games if I couldn't find a source to learn C++ graphics programming?

That's when I decided to head out onto the internet to try to get some help.  The first valuable site I found was  Cprogramming.com, where I downloaded a tutorial called  Denth.zip.  Although this tutorial is a few years old, I was able to examine it's code examples and fiddle with them until I was able to do some pretty neat graphics displays in DOS mode.  This tutorial only teaches how to program in   DOS mode, and I noticed that even the simplest graphics took a LOT of complex C++ code.  I thought "Hmmm, there must be an easier way."
 
 

After exploring the information I found on the internet I discovered an area of programming called Windows GDI (graphics device interface).  This enables you to write programs that run "inside" of Windows, rather than outside in DOS mode.  The windows GDI has many, many built-in functions that make graphics programming much, much easier than in DOS (at least in my opinion).  However - learning the arcane GDI language can be daunting.  But if you stick with it, it will begin to make sense.  Then you can use your C++ knowledge and the Windows GDI to write some nice graphic programs.

So - if you are a beginning C++ programmer looking for help.  I would suggest the following:

      Get "Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days", from SAMS Publishing, in a kit including  a complete Borland compiler, and read through it, learning as much as you can.

  Go to your library and get some C++ programming books.  Then try to code some of your own ideas using the books as references.  Remember - your compiler has VERY GOOD (probably) online help, so read through it, too.
 
 

DON'T get frustrated!!!  C++, Windows GDI and DirectX can be VERY confusing to a beginner - but stick with it, and it will eventually start to make sense!  At least it did for me - so far...

I hope that by posting my experience
with learning C++ that I can help
someone else who is just beginning...
in any event - HAPPY PROGRAMMING!