   Total beginner books/tips/advice
  Ok for a while now I have been wanting to learn C++ for game design, but I''m a total newbie to this but still am very interested in it. For my beginners books I have decided that I may buy these books would you reccomend them to a learner that has no programming skills?Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days (4th Edition) (there also was a 6th edition some where on there which would be the best?)and/orTricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus (2nd Edition) Which would be the best? I think the tricks of windows game programming comes with a CD, is the CD usefull? or is it something I can download for free? So I''m asking your opinion on those books! Also pass along some helpful articles/links/usefull info to help me learn game programming! Once I get more time i''m going to read around this website it seems to be filled with usefull info!thanks! (please comment on those books if you know anything about them) 
  Get a good C++ book. Just C++. I''d recommend a Deitel book. Others will recommend some other titles but let me say it again, you want to start with simple text screens and straight C++. After a few months of that you might want to look into TOTWGPG. Cheers and luck. ;  I don''t know much about those books, and I learned C++ long after I learned programming, but I do know that About.com''s C++ Tutorials have helped a lot in learning new things about C++, or as a reference.  I suppose the beginning tutorials are reasonable, too.  It''d be at least something to check out, although I''m sure there''re better sites out there. ;  Theres a pretty good c++ tutorial with VC++ 6.  Sams is ok, but maybe a bit advanced for starting off. I learnt c++ from the tutorials at cprogramming.com. ;  thanks joey for the link! I''ll check it out!so you think the Windows game programming book would be the best? What about the CD? anygood or is it crap? ;  It''s awsome...but learn c++ first. ;  whoops, they''re both published by Sams, well i mean the the "tricks.." is a bit advanced and its not C++, its the next stage up from that, the API, structuring, Philosophy etc..Most C++ books and tutorials will be pretty much the same.  ;  So sams learn C++ in 21 days is what I need to get? ;  I''ve read both Teach yourself c++ in 21 days, and C++ Primer Plus(author:stephen pratta).IMO, I extremely recommend getting C++ Primer Plus. ;quote:Original post by deathtrap  I''ve read both Teach yourself c++ in 21 days, and C++ Primer Plus(author:stephen pratta).IMO, I extremely recommend getting C++ Primer Plus.   for a total noobie?