Clotters

From what I understand Visual Basic is on it's way down and I've been told soon Microsoft won;t support it and it will crash and burn. For this reason I was thinking of converting to C++ but I hear that this language is very difficult to learn. Would it be best if I tried to learn Python first? And if I did go into C++ head first, do any of you know how long it would take (roughly speaking) for me to understand and modify code like the stuff that can be downloaded here ...

http://esms.eofa.org/index.php?page=...nt.php&t=7&m=1

I really would like to learn C++, but I also want to be realistic. Do any of you know any good books to begin with?

Oh, and finally, on a scale of 1 to 10 how complicated is the source code from that link above?

Thanks in advance.

tempest

Well if you already have a good grasp on the concepts of programming from VB that's a pretty good starting point to begin tackling the C++ bear. Yes, C++ is a very hard language to learn but it's mostly just concept. The most important thing to remember when learning C++ is get a book, and read it thoroughly. Try and understand each concept as much as possible and it'll hlep you out most in the end when you try and implement it. PFO is always here to help you when you get stuck, best of luck.

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Clotters

So if I perhaps read a book like Beginning C++ Game Programming ... would I then have enough knowledge to edit source code like the one that can be retireved from this page?

http://esms.eofa.org/index.php?page...int.php&t=7&m=1

tempest

If you read it all, and understood it.. sure.

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Infinite Recursion

No one can really tell you how long it will take you to learn something. We don't know your skill set, your level of motivation, dedication, etc.

Regardless of the life expectancy of VB, C++ is a VERY valuable language to know. Everything looks hard on the surface, dig in and you will understand it in no time.

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http://jasonpowers.net

"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."

Ancient Dragon

people said that about cobol and fortan 20 years ago too, but they are still alive and well. VB.NET is the current rage. M$ will not abandon VB anytime soon, but they will eventually stop supporting VB 6.0 and earlier.

Infinite Recursion

MS is going to the .NET Framework... as with any other company, prior versions will fade away but the language itself will grow.

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http://jasonpowers.net

"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."

clearbit

Honestly, The best thing to do (in my opinion) is to start with C++ right as you enter the programming world. You learn how not to make bad habbits and it helps in the long run. I've heard of people getting real good with C++ in less than a year, while others take a few years. It all depends on you. The drive. This same advice has come from the man who made C++. Stroustroupe.

Kami

I agree. If you are going to learn one language, learn C++. The thing about C++ is you have to do pretty much everything manually (of course there are libraries you can import if you want). Pointers, manual memory allocation... C++ is the best way (next to assembly) to learn to program. If you know it, you can learn any other language in a day.

Navid

I got a question too while we're at it.

I'm done about 2/3 of a book on programming with C and I'm planning to finsih it soon (SAMS Teach Yourself C In 21 Days). The content wasn't TOO hard to understand and picked up a lot of it pretty well, since it explained it so well. I plan on moving to C++ immidiatley after finishing the book.

1. How much "more" is there to learn on C++?
2. How much harder is it to learn?
3. Is there a book you recommend that's "from C to C++"?

Thanks