   Need some help on what I need
  Hello, I wanna learn how to program with C++ and need some help.These are the books this site recommended...The C++ Programming Language (3rd Edition) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0201889544/ref=ase_gamedev/104-2105129-6015950?s=books&v=glance&n=283155&tagActionCode=gamedevC++ Primer (3rd Edition)http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0201824701/ref=nosim/104-2105129-6015950?n=283155What will they teach me? Anything about graphics, games, or programs? Will I need to read one of those books then get a book on DirectX, OpenGL, or some different kind of book to use graphics and another book on how to make games? I mean...I don't wanna get a $40.00 book and find out all I can do is make a string appear on the screen and how to use values, lol.Kinda confused on what I need to learn and how to do it, thanks. lol   
  If you don't already know C/C++ you need to start with a book like that.  They will not teach you anything specific to graphics or games.  However, you will not understand the programming related to graphics or games until you learn what's in those books.Asking to start with graphics is like asking for War and Peace before you know how to read. =)-me   ;  Graphics (in C++ and C for sure) and games come only after you learn how to work with the language.  I'd say give it a year of working on the language if it's your first one before you start looking at graphics.  You need a strong understanding of the core language to be able to use the other librarys necissary anyway.But, when you do get to that point, take a look at SDL and NeHe's OpenGL Tutorials You can use the two together (SDL can set up a window for OpenGL) to create cross-platform graphics programs.  However, as I said, this might be a way down the path for you.If you really want to do games quickly, I'd suggest reading through one of those books and doing all the tutorials.  Then try making your own text adventure game.  Then after that if you feel confident pick up graphics.If you want to get into graphics right away I can only speak of the languages I've used and say that Basic (I used a version of QBasic) is the quickest going from text to graphics that I've come across.  It is by no means a language which can be used in the commercial world and some argue the ability of the language to teach anything but the most basic concepts of algorithm design and programming.  It can be a lot of fun though if you want quick an dirty graphics.QB Code required to do graphics:'something like this anyway, can't remember the best screen modescreen 12line(50, 350)-(250, 350), 9line(50, 350)-(125, 225), 9line(250, 350)-(125, 225), 9paint(200, 300), 9, 9line(300, 350)-(500, 150), 9, BFC++... (not a completely fair comparison as the c++ code is for opengl which supports 3d as well, but whatever you do will be of similar complexity)this;  The C++ Programming Language (3rd edition) as you may not know is an EXCELLENT choice! It was written by the blessed man who invented C++, Bjarne Stroustrup. I think that you are definitely on the right track with that one.It is really important to learn the basic foundations of software design and the language that you will use to write games before you start programming them. Graphics programming is pretty advanced stuff. It will only frustrate you if you try to start with it.Learn the basics, backwards and forwards. Then I would recomend a book like Tricks of the 3D Game Programming Gurus-Advanced 3D Graphics and Rasterization by Andre Lamothe. The title sounds a lil cheesy but I got it, and MAN is it GOOD! Learning graphics stuff at first will feel like shredding your brain over a lettus shreder, but stick with it...it is so worth the pain. Good luck to you, and remember you can always ask questions here when you need help.:)   ;  Wow! 3 replies already, this place rocks, lol.So, I will probably have to get The C++ Programming Language (3rd Edition) book. Just need to find some money, lol.Thanks everyone.   