   Impossible Feat?
    I am trying to learn C++ and DirectX to program games and i have had no previous programming expierence at all.  In fact i''m only twelve...heh.  Anyway i was wondering if it is possible to learn C++ and DirectX at the same time to program games.  I know i''m going to get Tricks of Game Programming Guru''s(i think thats title) and i have Teach Yourself C++ Programming in 24 hours(third edition).  What kind of DirectX books are there that would help me learn.  I could learn C++ from game programming perspective by using Tricks of game programming gurus  and i know it has section on DirectX.Anyway, Do you think its possible?Got anybooks to recommend?  
  Tricks of the Windows Gurus won't teach you c++. In fact there is only a small appendix at the back detailing the new features of c++ to C programmers. It's an excellent book though so don't think it's not worth the purchase, but you will need a book to learn the basics of c++ first. I have Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days, and while I'm sure it's not the best book on C++, it was okay for me.[edited by - punx on March 14, 2003 8:49:14 PM];  It''s not impossible, but I wouldn''t recommend you to do that. You will need some experience in programming before starting with Windows programming and DirectX.I think you should be patient, learn C++, practice, and jump to Windows and DirectX only when you are familiar with programming/reading code in C++. Think that, even though most DirectX books include C++ references, they assume you are already familiar with that language, or at least with programming in general. Often they use complex structures that you can only understand if you have used them before.As for the books, I don''t know about "Teach Yourself C++ Programming in 24 hours", but the Tricks one is a really good one for beggining in game programming. It covers more game-related topic (not in detail, though, but enough to get an idea), and also explains DirectX basis. Note that the book is a bit obsolete, and uses DirectDraw, not longer supported in DirectX8/9.Anyways, good luck and go for it.  ;  The reason i''m rushing is because i think the best way to learn C++ would be from a Game Programming Perspective.  When i read Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 24 hours at night its just way to confusing.  I can never see where it would fit into programming a game(well some things...but not all).  I''m going to get "Tricks of Game Programming blah blah...." so i can do it from that perspective.  Good idea?  ;  After you read the Teach Yourself C++ book, I think Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus is a pretty good place to begin.  Its got 2D DirectX programming and a little bit of everything you need to make some simple games.Oh, you definitely need a decent foundation in C++ though.  There are a lot of tricky language features, and the "Teach Yourself in 24 Days" book might not even be good enough.  It might not SEEM like it is useful in making a game, but I promise you, go look at the source code for a game like Quake and you will see all sorts of stuff in there that you've already learned about in your C++ book.[edited by - Narcus on March 14, 2003 8:56:26 PM];  Yea good idea.  I know how to find that Teach Yourself C++ in 21 days on the internet(NOT ILLEGAL).  And i was reading some of it and it is like 89.9% like the book i have.  What i want to do is get "Tricks" and learn C++ while i''m reading "Tricks".ex.  if i see a term i don''t understand in "Tricks" then i''ll just jump over to my other book and read about that term and continue on.  Now do you see what i''m trying to do?  Possible?  ;  Do you learn to use a hammer while you''re building a house?probably not, it''s the same with trying to learn to code games while learning C++, C++ is just a tool.First you learn to use your tools, then you learn how to use them to build complex things.Some terms will only be fully understood after some practice and experience, I suggest you learn C++ properly before starting DirectX.    --------------------------------"I''m a half time coder, full time Britney Spears addict"    Targhan  ;  Bah!You suggest i learn C++ first.  I''m going to get Tricks first thats all i''m saying eh?  If its to hard for me to understand i''ll go back to trying to figure out C++(easier said than done).  Anyway,thats my strategy.  Is the cd that comes with tricks anygood ?  ;  You can''t use directx without a solid knowledge of c/c++.  I found that out at eleven.  It''s worth spending two years making console stuff, trust me...  Then you can learn opengl/directx    -~-The Cow of Darkness-~-  ;  Arghhhh!!!!I''m gonna do it this-a-way k?  i''ll get back to you if i screwed up eh?  is the "Tricks" Cd that comes with book anygood?  