- Paperback: 450 pages
- Publisher: Charles River Media; Pap/Cdr edition (3 Sep 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1584504552
- ISBN-13: 978-1584504559
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 18.5 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
397,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Books > Computers & Internet > Computer Science > Programming > Introduction to Programming > Game Programming
- #2 in Books > Computers & Internet > Computer Science > Programming > Games Programming > C++
- #22 in Books > Computers & Internet > Computer Science > Programming > Introduction to Programming > C++
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
Learn C++ by Making Games teaches the fundamentals of C++ from a unique and fun perspective. Using game specific code and examples, the book helps anyone wanting to learn C++ progress from the basics to more advanced topics. As you learn C++, you'll be putting the code and techniques into practice by programming a game project in each part of the book. The book begins with an introduction to the fundamentals of the C++ language, including the basic data types of the language. It then progresses further into creating and defining variables, basic mathematical operators, and the various loop structures at your disposal. Next, you'll learn how to use functions to make code more readable and maintainable, along with techniques for breaking up source code into several files for readability. From there you'll move to data structures and explore concepts such as using collections to store multiple copies of a data type. With these foundations of C++ firmly applied, you'll be ready to learn the basics of pointers that you'll need for all of your C++ programming. Next comes an introduction to object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts, including classes, objects, inheritance, virtual methods, and polymorphism. From there, reading and writing data files (serialization) are covered. The book concludes with an exploration of how to use the Simple DirectMedia Layer to display graphics and handle basic input, sound, linked lists, templates, along with a variety of more advanced topics, including using SDL to create a simple demo. This book is ideal for an introductory C++ course, or for anyone wanting to teach themselves C++ through the creation of game projects!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
After reading this book, I found it to be very informative, despite at times rather verbose, but I rather have more words than less really.
Once you finish this book, you should be versed well enough to tackle many, if not most, programming adversities with good understanding.
On the other hand, to me, games are supposed to be fun and fun should be a beacon on point when developing games despite the field; the lack of a charismatic personality sense in the book leaves a bit to be desired so it feels a little more "scientific-terminology" than a creative inspiring experience (subject to personal oppinion, of course).
Regardless of that nit-picking point, I highly recommend this book because it not only teaches C++ programming but also some design ideas that are essential, and certain algorithms that game or application programmers are sure to make good use of; also it's worded comprehensively.
Ah, yes, and there are plenty of examples ^_^
Once you finish this book, you should be versed well enough to tackle many, if not most, programming adversities with good understanding.
On the other hand, to me, games are supposed to be fun and fun should be a beacon on point when developing games despite the field; the lack of a charismatic personality sense in the book leaves a bit to be desired so it feels a little more "scientific-terminology" than a creative inspiring experience (subject to personal oppinion, of course).
Regardless of that nit-picking point, I highly recommend this book because it not only teaches C++ programming but also some design ideas that are essential, and certain algorithms that game or application programmers are sure to make good use of; also it's worded comprehensively.
Ah, yes, and there are plenty of examples ^_^
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
6 reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
It had potential
12 April 2008
Format:Paperback
Since I'm pretty experienced with C++, I was able to wade through the skimpy explanations of C++'s most advanced concepts without too much difficulty, but I fear that a reader new to C++ (the intended audience), will have a fair amount of difficulty.
The book starts out well -- in the beginning chapters all the code is there, it's explained, and the examples are simple enough that a beginner can easily follow. However, as the book progresses and covers more advanced topics, the explanations become increasingly brief and almost cursory! Operator overloading, one of C++'s central features, for instance,is given a few pages of explanations and code, one poor example, and then it's off to the next topic which is covered in the same amount of detail.
The main problem with this book is that it attempted to cover too much in too little space. Clearly, you're NOT going to go from a C++ neophyte to a 2D game programer in one book, in 500 or so pages. It's just impossible.
So, I give this book a 3 star rating because while it may be useful to newbies and weathered programmers alike, the later chapters will invariably prove to be extremely difficult to understand for the newbies because while code is shown and examples are shown, the *theory* and explanations behind the workings of given features are simply not present, which makes this a sub par learning tool.
The book starts out well -- in the beginning chapters all the code is there, it's explained, and the examples are simple enough that a beginner can easily follow. However, as the book progresses and covers more advanced topics, the explanations become increasingly brief and almost cursory! Operator overloading, one of C++'s central features, for instance,is given a few pages of explanations and code, one poor example, and then it's off to the next topic which is covered in the same amount of detail.
The main problem with this book is that it attempted to cover too much in too little space. Clearly, you're NOT going to go from a C++ neophyte to a 2D game programer in one book, in 500 or so pages. It's just impossible.
So, I give this book a 3 star rating because while it may be useful to newbies and weathered programmers alike, the later chapters will invariably prove to be extremely difficult to understand for the newbies because while code is shown and examples are shown, the *theory* and explanations behind the workings of given features are simply not present, which makes this a sub par learning tool.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Could've been great
21 Dec 2006
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Book is good if you need a C++ refresher since it covers all the necessary C++ you need to build a simple 2D games in C++ in bite sized chapters and are looking to build a cross-platform games.
Writing is clear and to the point.
Focusing on single battleship game through several chapters helps keep you interested in finishing the book.
Still last few chapters a big letdown when you are supposed to have graphical version of simple text based version you started with.
This book is pretty good until you get to the later chapters which is missing code.
It seems as though the last chapter was rushed to press and author forgot to include some necessary files ie images to get code to work.
I'm giving 4 stars so maybe author can provide updated files for last several chapters.
Writing is clear and to the point.
Focusing on single battleship game through several chapters helps keep you interested in finishing the book.
Still last few chapters a big letdown when you are supposed to have graphical version of simple text based version you started with.
This book is pretty good until you get to the later chapters which is missing code.
It seems as though the last chapter was rushed to press and author forgot to include some necessary files ie images to get code to work.
I'm giving 4 stars so maybe author can provide updated files for last several chapters.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
PATHETIC
1 Jan 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A good idea gone bad, very bad.
Teaching computer programming is a great technique, it has lots of potential for making the learning (and teaching) experience more fun pleasurable and by consequence, more effective. Unfortunately this pathetic excuse for a book does a terribly poor job in accomplishing this task.
It starts out nicely for the first easy chapters but it quickly degenerates in an unbelievably superficial mess. Snippets of code are thrown in randomly with no clue about where they fit in a real application, and the chapters and explanations become unbelievably thin , short and superficial. Want an easy laugh? The chapter on templates is 3 pages long. I AM NOT KIDDING, you read well.. 3 pages long. To inheritance and polymorphism instead are devoted a full SIX pages.
They should be ashamed of publishing this bs.
As for the "game" part.. all you get are a few simple text based games like single player blackjack and a pathetic couple of simple SDL based games at the end.
Ah, I forgot, the author avoid carefully to discuss to the games code in the text, you will just have to dig in the source code CD and understand it by yourself.
Bottom line, for the potential reader AVOID LIKE PLAGUE and if you are looking for a game based intro to C++ wait for this, which has good chances of being good:
Starting Out with Games and Graphics in C++, for the publishing company shame on you for publishing this bs, and get a real editor.
Teaching computer programming is a great technique, it has lots of potential for making the learning (and teaching) experience more fun pleasurable and by consequence, more effective. Unfortunately this pathetic excuse for a book does a terribly poor job in accomplishing this task.
It starts out nicely for the first easy chapters but it quickly degenerates in an unbelievably superficial mess. Snippets of code are thrown in randomly with no clue about where they fit in a real application, and the chapters and explanations become unbelievably thin , short and superficial. Want an easy laugh? The chapter on templates is 3 pages long. I AM NOT KIDDING, you read well.. 3 pages long. To inheritance and polymorphism instead are devoted a full SIX pages.
They should be ashamed of publishing this bs.
As for the "game" part.. all you get are a few simple text based games like single player blackjack and a pathetic couple of simple SDL based games at the end.
Ah, I forgot, the author avoid carefully to discuss to the games code in the text, you will just have to dig in the source code CD and understand it by yourself.
Bottom line, for the potential reader AVOID LIKE PLAGUE and if you are looking for a game based intro to C++ wait for this, which has good chances of being good:
Starting Out with Games and Graphics in C++, for the publishing company shame on you for publishing this bs, and get a real editor.
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