Re: Java to C/C++

Infiniti wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I've worked as a Java based programmer for the past 3 yrs designing apps for the web and i'm looking to get into windows based c/c++ and directx. I'm obviously not new to programming generally but can anyway, who knows what they are talking about, recommend the best way to go to learning this kinda stuff?
>
> Cheers
>
> Infiniti

>Going to C++ from Java is a good direction to approach C++ from IMO. It
>means you're more likely to treat C++ as an OO language which is where
>it is at its most useful and elegant IMO.

>I'd grab Bruce Eckle's Thinking in C++ and work through that as the
>starting point. It's free on the web.

>Though, if you're wanting to do 3d games using OpenGL, there's no real
>need to go to c++ (Java is just as fast) for other types of games, your
>milage might vary. What was it you were trying to achieve?

>Peter.

I'm purely trying to enhance my knowledge of programming and DirectX / OpenGL programming is something I would like to have a go at while i'm making the switch to C/C++. I was under the impression that there is a bit more information out there regarding graphics programming in C.

I do agree OOP is the nicest way to go about things. Cheers for the help.

Infiniti

Hi,

The one thing you will get very frustrated with when moving to C++ is the
lack of class library functionality. Java has an extremely large amount of
functionality built into the base classes. C++ has very very little.

You will also find it more difficult to debug your code. Using pointers can
be quite daunting and finding memory leaks can be a tricky task. I suggest
you get a good development environment that has a stable and powerful
debugger.

Good luck.

"Infiniti" <infiniti@infiniti.com> wrote in message
news:1062426051.64366.0@dyke.uk.clara.net...
> Infiniti wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > I've worked as a Java based programmer for the past 3 yrs designing apps
for the web and i'm looking to get into windows based c/c++ and directx. I'm
obviously not new to programming generally but can anyway, who knows what
they are talking about, recommend the best way to go to learning this kinda
stuff?
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> > Infiniti
>
> >Going to C++ from Java is a good direction to approach C++ from IMO. It
> >means you're more likely to treat C++ as an OO language which is where
> >it is at its most useful and elegant IMO.
>
> >I'd grab Bruce Eckle's Thinking in C++ and work through that as the
> >starting point. It's free on the web.
>
> >Though, if you're wanting to do 3d games using OpenGL, there's no real
> >need to go to c++ (Java is just as fast) for other types of games, your
> >milage might vary. What was it you were trying to achieve?
>
> >Peter.
>
> I'm purely trying to enhance my knowledge of programming and DirectX /
OpenGL programming is something I would like to have a go at while i'm
making the switch to C/C++. I was under the impression that there is a bit
more information out there regarding graphics programming in C.
>
> I do agree OOP is the nicest way to go about things. Cheers for the help.
>
> Infiniti

"T" <csaweb@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message news:<u%R4b.77499$bo1.67778@news-server.bigpond.net.au>...
> The one thing you will get very frustrated with when moving to C++ is the
> lack of class library functionality. Java has an extremely large amount of
> functionality built into the base classes. C++ has very very little.

True, but there are libraries available that give you substantial
functionality (such as container templates).

> You will also find it more difficult to debug your code. Using pointers can
> be quite daunting and finding memory leaks can be a tricky task.

Funny, I found debugging Java applets a lot harder than debugging C++
apps. I guess that's just me...

> I suggest
> you get a good development environment that has a stable and powerful
> debugger.

I agree with that. MS Visual Studio is one of the best I've used.

> > I'm purely trying to enhance my knowledge of programming and DirectX /
> OpenGL programming is something I would like to have a go at while i'm
> making the switch to C/C++. I was under the impression that there is a bit
> more information out there regarding graphics programming in C.

There probably is, and of course there won't be any DirectX samples in
Java. Just a word of advice, if you're planning to do a lot of
graphics programming, either remote debugging (using a seperate PC as
the target) or a dual monitor setup is the way to go. Trying to debug
graphics code by switching back and forth between the IDE and the
output can be frustrating. I realize this can be expensive, but if you
already have the PCs or the means, it'll make your programming and
debugging a lot easier. MS Visual Studio supports these types of
setups.

>>You will also find it more difficult to debug your code. Using pointers can
>>be quite daunting and finding memory leaks can be a tricky task.
>
>
> Funny, I found debugging Java applets a lot harder than debugging C++
> apps. I guess that's just me...

I think it's very tool dependant. IMO both MS's Visual C++ and IBMs
Eclipse IDEs are fantastic debuggers. I don't think either language is
inheirently easier or harder to debug.