   Your book suggestions for learning C++ in the context of game programming please.
  OK, I've started numerous threads of this nature in the past, only to get overwhelmed by off-topic opinions of how others percieve I should learn. So let me state for the record that while I respect your opinion I don't give a rat's ass about how YOU feel I should learn. I WILL purchase one of the books listed below, and learn C++ while focusing on game programming in some fashion or other. I ask only for further suggestions of books of this nature, and your opinon, BASED ON PERSONAL, FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE, of the books I've listed themselves in light of what I want to do with them (that is learn C++ while developing a game engine, or learning C++ in the context of a game programmer) - here is my current list:Beginning 3D Game Programming by Michael Dawson:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592002056/qid=1150518805/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_6/103-7681728-8155857?s=books&v=glance&n=283155Learn C++ By Making Games by Erik Yuzwa:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584504552/qid=1150518418/sr=1-8/ref=sr_1_8/103-7681728-8155857?s=books&v=glance&n=283155Game Coding Complete by Mike McShaffry:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932111913/qid=1150518852/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-7681728-8155857?s=books&v=glance&n=283155Please note that I DO have some C++ knowledge, and even some C#. But I remember so little of either language that I feel the need to start over. Also I have an EXTREMELY high readers comprehension - it was college level when I was in the sixth grade. All I need is a book that has code which will compile, and if the code in the book is outdated that the author have a link to where updates could be acquired as needed. I will be using Visual Studio express as my compiler, but I can also use Bloodshed and will be coding on a Windows machine in either case.That said I now leave you to tell me about any other books you think I need to add to my list, or to tell me why I should remove any of the ones I have added. Soon I will purchase one - at most two - and it HAS to teach me C++ by Winter quarter this year. At that time, or the next quarter, I will be faced with Data Structures and Pointers and the ONLY way I'm going to understand them is in using them within a context that interests me. That is in part why I need a book that has a point - a goal. I need to have a reason to be interested and continue in it - learning C++ is not enough. That's like learning how to make cake mix but never baking the cake.If you must express to me why you feel I should learn some other way please PM me and don't post it here. Thank you for your consideration -- Deathbliss[Edited by - Deathbliss on June 17, 2006 3:38:16 PM]
  The third book, "Game Coding Complete" I have been told is a very good read and good value for money by many.For C++ I would choose:Thinking in C++ Vol 1 and 2 (available as a free ebook although assumes you know C)Effective C++More Effective C++Effective STLDesign Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented SoftwareCode CompletePragmatic ProgrammerRapid Development (this one is a bit of an extra)Game Programming Gems (All Vols)As for learning C++ from scratch, I honestly can't remember how I did in the first place, it was a mixture of tutorials, books and tutors combined with solving problems that actually got me here.Note that Books 1 and 2 in your list are the same book. If I had to choose two, it be Thinking in C++ as a freebie, Game Coding Complete and either of the following:Effective C++Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented SoftwarePragmatic ProgrammerOr a graphics API book depending on your project needs.   ;  I just fixed the links and added titles w/authors. I have no project immediatly in mind - I merely need a book to teach me C++ if only in a review capacity in a focused, goal oriented manner - preferably with a focus in the area of Game Programming because after I have a good grasp of the language I'm going to code my engine and/or game. These other general C++ books, as good as some are, that go from hello world to printing text on screen to making a program that calculates this and that DO NOT interest me.That said I still appreciate your book suggestions -- Deathbliss   ;  You want me to be perfectly honest? Those books do not exist (not of high quality at least). You are going need to get a book on C++ and seperate book on Game Programming if you want to get the most out of each subject area.As you said, you want to get a good grasp of the language before going off to make XY and Z. You are only going to get that out of a good C++ that doesn't on anything but the language and the language paradigm (which is in this case OO).At best I suppose you could read two books side by side, a C++ one and a games related one. Or a just get a C++ one and work with some on tutorials putting your new C++ knowledge to games tutorials. Just because you get a good book that is mainly text based doesn't mean you have to stick to doing boring programs when learning.What I did do when I started off was doing text or ascii art games with things that I learnt. Text fruit machines or ascii snake are some examples.   