Best C++ game programming book recommendations

I know there are many different possibilities here, but first let me
say:

I am not an expert C++ programmer - not even close.

I do know the language or at least can follow it. I feel comfortable
enough to use the a help file, Internet, etc. I understand basic
Win32 programming (I understand on a basic level what is going on,
winmain, messages, etc.). I am an experienced programmer in other
language, mostly of the scripting type, however, perl, javascript,
some C, VB.NET, other odds and ends.

I am *not* looking to make 3D games or the next greatest game in the
universe. I understand some basic concepts like recursion.

That's about where it ends.

I am yet another web page server side database driven kind of
"programmer." But hey, I get paid for it (and I like it).

I want to make graphical games, but as I said - 2D (DirectX or OpenGL,
but prefer the former - no offense)

I had the book "Game Programming: All in One." The C++ primer was
okay (took that there and on the Internet a million times, nothing
new), but when the "game" programming starts it's just line after line
with no explanation. I do not want that again.

I am on WinXP Pro. and own VS 6.0.

Hope you understand where I am coming from and thanks for any advice
on what book to get. Thanks.

Sams Teach Yourself Game Programming with DirectX in 21 Days, is a good 2D
tutorial.

It covers most aspects of a 2D game and eplains each step.

daveR

"jm" <john_20_28_2000@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c67e4bdd.0402231955.5aac84cb@posting.google.c om...
> I know there are many different possibilities here, but first let me
> say:
>
> I am not an expert C++ programmer - not even close.
>
> I do know the language or at least can follow it. I feel comfortable
> enough to use the a help file, Internet, etc. I understand basic
> Win32 programming (I understand on a basic level what is going on,
> winmain, messages, etc.). I am an experienced programmer in other
> language, mostly of the scripting type, however, perl, javascript,
> some C, VB.NET, other odds and ends.
>
> I am *not* looking to make 3D games or the next greatest game in the
> universe. I understand some basic concepts like recursion.
>
> That's about where it ends.
>
> I am yet another web page server side database driven kind of
> "programmer." But hey, I get paid for it (and I like it).
>
> I want to make graphical games, but as I said - 2D (DirectX or OpenGL,
> but prefer the former - no offense)
>
> I had the book "Game Programming: All in One." The C++ primer was
> okay (took that there and on the Internet a million times, nothing
> new), but when the "game" programming starts it's just line after line
> with no explanation. I do not want that again.
>
> I am on WinXP Pro. and own VS 6.0.
>
> Hope you understand where I am coming from and thanks for any advice
> on what book to get. Thanks.

john_20_28_2000@yahoo.com (jm) wrote in message news:<c67e4bdd.0402231955.5aac84cb@posting.google. com>...

> I am not an expert C++ programmer - not even close.

With no regards to games, if you want to become a good C++ programmer,
read all books by Scott Meyers:

- Effective C++;
- More effective C++;
- Effective STL.

They will make you a very solid C++ programmer. Then, if you want to
really have fun (again with no regards to games), read "Modern C++
Design" by Andrei Alexandrescu.

Regards,
Arkadiy

In article <2f56064a.0402241427.9ad3418@posting.google.com> , vertleyb@hotmail.com (Arkadiy Vertleyb) wrote:
>john_20_28_2000@yahoo.com (jm) wrote in message
> news:<c67e4bdd.0402231955.5aac84cb@posting.google. com>...
>
>> I am not an expert C++ programmer - not even close.
>
>With no regards to games, if you want to become a good C++ programmer,
>read all books by Scott Meyers:
>
>- Effective C++;
>- More effective C++;
>- Effective STL.
>
>They will make you a very solid C++ programmer. Then, if you want to
>really have fun (again with no regards to games), read "Modern C++
>Design" by Andrei Alexandrescu.

Yes, 'learn' how global functions increase encapsulation and how classes
should have no non-virtual member functions. OTOH, maybe they completed
the textbooks before they went mad ;-)

Gerry Quinn
--
http://bindweed.com
Screensavers, Games, Kaleidoscopes
Download free trial versions

"Gerry Quinn" <gerryq@indigo.ie> wrote in message
news:Lp4%b.4608$rb.62194@news.indigo.ie...
> In article <2f56064a.0402241427.9ad3418@posting.google.com> ,
vertleyb@hotmail.com (Arkadiy Vertleyb) wrote:
> >john_20_28_2000@yahoo.com (jm) wrote in message
> > news:<c67e4bdd.0402231955.5aac84cb@posting.google. com>...
> >
> >> I am not an expert C++ programmer - not even close.
> >
> >With no regards to games, if you want to become a good C++ programmer,
> >read all books by Scott Meyers:
> >
> >- Effective C++;
> >- More effective C++;
> >- Effective STL.
> >
> >They will make you a very solid C++ programmer. Then, if you want to
> >really have fun (again with no regards to games), read "Modern C++
> >Design" by Andrei Alexandrescu.
>
> Yes, 'learn' how global functions increase encapsulation and how classes
> should have no non-virtual member functions. OTOH, maybe they completed
> the textbooks before they went mad ;-)
>
> Gerry Quinn
> --
> http://bindweed.com
> Screensavers, Games, Kaleidoscopes
> Download free trial versions

So, STL is bad?

On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 19:14:02 +0100, jm wrote:


> "Gerry Quinn" <gerryq@indigo.ie> wrote in message
> news:Lp4%b.4608$rb.62194@news.indigo.ie...
>> In article <2f56064a.0402241427.9ad3418@posting.google.com> ,
> vertleyb@hotmail.com (Arkadiy Vertleyb) wrote:
>> >john_20_28_2000@yahoo.com (jm) wrote in message
>> > news:<c67e4bdd.0402231955.5aac84cb@posting.google. com>...
>> >
>> >> I am not an expert C++ programmer - not even close.
>> >
>> >With no regards to games, if you want to become a good C++ programmer,
>> >read all books by Scott Meyers:
>> >
>> >- Effective C++;
>> >- More effective C++;
>> >- Effective STL.
>> >
>> >They will make you a very solid C++ programmer. Then, if you want to
>> >really have fun (again with no regards to games), read "Modern C++
>> >Design" by Andrei Alexandrescu.
>>
>> Yes, 'learn' how global functions increase encapsulation and how
>> classes should have no non-virtual member functions. OTOH, maybe they
>> completed the textbooks before they went mad ;-)
>>
>>
> So, STL is bad?

He's referring to the fact that Andrei Alexandrescu's approach to C++ can
be a bit extreme. It's almost like defining a whole new language on top of
C++. Check out the loki library for some implementations of his ideas.

--
Christos Dimitrakakis

"Christos Dimitrakakis" <olethrosdc@oohay.com> wrote in message
newsan.2004.02.25.19.50.58.130190.4476@oohay.com ...
> On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 19:14:02 +0100, jm wrote:
>
>
> > "Gerry Quinn" <gerryq@indigo.ie> wrote in message
> > news:Lp4%b.4608$rb.62194@news.indigo.ie...
> >> In article <2f56064a.0402241427.9ad3418@posting.google.com> ,
> > vertleyb@hotmail.com (Arkadiy Vertleyb) wrote:
> >> >john_20_28_2000@yahoo.com (jm) wrote in message
> >> > news:<c67e4bdd.0402231955.5aac84cb@posting.google. com>...
> >> >
> >> >> I am not an expert C++ programmer - not even close.
> >> >
> >> >With no regards to games, if you want to become a good C++ programmer,
> >> >read all books by Scott Meyers:
> >> >
> >> >- Effective C++;
> >> >- More effective C++;
> >> >- Effective STL.
> >> >
> >> >They will make you a very solid C++ programmer. Then, if you want to
> >> >really have fun (again with no regards to games), read "Modern C++
> >> >Design" by Andrei Alexandrescu.
> >>
> >> Yes, 'learn' how global functions increase encapsulation and how
> >> classes should have no non-virtual member functions. OTOH, maybe they
> >> completed the textbooks before they went mad ;-)
> >>
> >>
> > So, STL is bad?
>
> He's referring to the fact that Andrei Alexandrescu's approach to C++ can
> be a bit extreme. It's almost like defining a whole new language on top of
> C++. Check out the loki library for some implementations of his ideas.
>
> --
> Christos Dimitrakakis

Thanks. I think I just want "regular" stuff.

"jm" <john_20_28_2000@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<KB5%b.408156$na.796257@attbi_s04>...

> > Yes, 'learn' how global functions increase encapsulation and how classes
> > should have no non-virtual member functions. OTOH, maybe they completed
> > the textbooks before they went mad ;-)
> >
> > Gerry Quinn

> So, STL is bad?

STL is good if you believe C++ is good (I think they both are). STL
is a part of C++ standard, and so can be considered a part of C++.

Another library that you want to use is Boost (see www.boost.org)

As far as the Alexandrescu's book is concerned recall that I said "if
you want to have fun". Don't overdo it, though -- it's only
applicable to writing libraries.

Regards,
Arkadiy

In article <Lp4%b.4608$rb.62194@news.indigo.ie>, gerryq@indigo.ie
says...
> [...]
> Yes, 'learn' how global functions increase encapsulation and how classes
> should have no non-virtual member functions.

Trying to lick your wounds here after Joe Foster nuked you on your
ignorance about encapsulation in comp.programming? Tsk.


Christer Ericson
Sony Computer Entertainment, Santa Monica

jm wrote:

> "Gerry Quinn" <gerryq@indigo.ie> wrote in message
> news:Lp4%b.4608$rb.62194@news.indigo.ie...
>
>>In article <2f56064a.0402241427.9ad3418@posting.google.com> ,
>
> vertleyb@hotmail.com (Arkadiy Vertleyb) wrote:
>
>>>john_20_28_2000@yahoo.com (jm) wrote in message
>>>news:<c67e4bdd.0402231955.5aac84cb@posting.goog le.com>...
>>>
>>>
>>>>I am not an expert C++ programmer - not even close.
>>>
>>>With no regards to games, if you want to become a good C++ programmer,
>>>read all books by Scott Meyers:
>>>
>>>- Effective C++;
>>>- More effective C++;
>>>- Effective STL.
>>>
>>>They will make you a very solid C++ programmer. Then, if you want to
>>>really have fun (again with no regards to games), read "Modern C++
>>>Design" by Andrei Alexandrescu.
>>
>>Yes, 'learn' how global functions increase encapsulation and how classes
>>should have no non-virtual member functions. OTOH, maybe they completed
>>the textbooks before they went mad ;-)
>>
>>Gerry Quinn
>>--
>>http://bindweed.com
>>Screensavers, Games, Kaleidoscopes
>>Download free trial versions
>
>
> So, STL is bad?

Well, it halves the speed of your compilation, bloats your code and adds
completely indecipherable error messages to your development woes, but
other than that, it's pretty good

It provides efficient collections for C++ and thats an area you don't
want to have to reinvent the wheel.