[C / C++] A beginner's guide to C / C++ programming

Hi All,
If you're a beginner in C or C++, you might not want to (or be able to) make an investment in a professional development system. The good news is that you don't have to. There are a number of free products out there that can do the job nicely.

If you just want to program in C, Pelles C is the way to go. Easy to use, does 32 and 64 bit code and comes with an IDE.

You can find it here: http://www.smorgasbordet.com/pellesc/

note: When you download the setup, you might get an error or a security warning; just save the file and run it anyway. It's safe. (But feel free to scan it before you run it anyway)

For Linux people, the GNU tool chain is the de-facto standard of Linux development. There are a number of Windows ports, but my favorite so far is TDragons' TDM-GCC.

You can find it here: http://tdm-gcc.tdragon.net/

Grab the 64 bit installer, because it does both 32 and 64 bit executables.

Unlike Pelles C, TDM-GCC does not come with an IDE. It's really up to you to find an IDE that you like.
I use Code::blocks because it's already set up for TDM-GCC (Tdragon hangs out at the Code::blocks forum).

You can find Code::blocks here: http://www.codeblocks.org/

If you download Code::blocks, get it without a bundled compiler. Use the one at the link above. You can join the forum and ask questions about code::blocks, but no programming questions. They will ignore you or delete the post.

Hopefully, this will get you started.

Happy coding...

:MJ

 

@spacerogue: Here's that link you posted. It looks nice.

http://www.pvtuts.com/cpp/cpp-introduction

Personally, I stay away from Microsoft compilers. The main reason is the cost. You will find the Microsoft free compilers to be lacking, and at some point, you will be forced to buy the "Professional Edition" (About $500 USD) Unless you're willing to pay, you can't build apps for 64 bit targets. That means no 64 bit Windows Explorer extensions.

I stay away from ATL as well. Any COM object can be created in C without the proprietary ATL junk.

The SDK and the DDK is nice to have. But, to be honest, I simply google a function or windows message and the MSDN documentation comes up in my browser. Easy to search, and no bloatware on my development machine.

:MJ

 

For spacerogue

http://www.gamedev.net/page/resourc...amming/organizing-code-files-in-c-and-c-r3173

Source code organization is so important. But it's important to strike a balance. Avoid the temptation to break things up into a hundred files, but don't create a gargantuan file with everything in it.

Also, coding style is -very- important. Write code as if you know that someone else is going to work on it. Don't over comment, but do comment when something isn't clear.
And avoid the temptation to write obfuscated code...Someone else (more than likely your replacement) may very well be forced to rewrite it.

Just some thoughts from an old Crazy Lady.

:MJ

 

@Kondar: That's a good question. The short answer is Learn them all.

Every language has its' purpose. For low-level coding (Device drivers, ring-0 code) x86 Assembler is the way to go. For application programming, You have many options. But the truth is, -every- high level compiled language distills down to Assembly language. So, at the very least, it won't hurt to familiarize yourself with assembler, the CPU and its' registers.

Example: Most C / C++ compilers use this standard ASM preamble

Code:

Foo:
      PUSH SI    ; Borland compilers do this
      PUSH BP
      MOV BP,SP
      SUB SP, <However much space you need for local variables>

      . . . do your stuff here :)
      MOV SP, BP
      POP BP
      POP  SI
      RET

In C

Code:

    void Foo()
    {
     // A list of local variables
     . . . // Do your stuff here :)
    }

When You understand this, You can make the machine do whatever you want it to do.

Here's a link to info about Assembly Language.

http://www.deinmeister.de/wasmfaq_e.htm

And, of course, the definitive guides from Intel

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processors/architectures-software-developer-manuals.html

And, C / C++

http://en.cppreference.com/w/

Of course You can come here and ask a question. There are many brilliant people here. (That's why I hang out here. )

Did I mention Object Pascal?

:MJ

 

Hi jeruka9-san, and Welcome to MDL. If you're studying Object Pascal, I suggest you take a look at the Lazarus project.

http://www.lazarus-ide.org/

Lazarus is a great IDE designed for the Delphi enthusiast. It's not exactly Delphi, but for a free product, it's quite amazing.