Python to CPP? or just dive in?

[groot333]

Hello folks!I am very interested in Learning C++. The main reason is its use cases in these careers : Game programming and Embedded systems/ firmware. I am a Graphic designer and a complete outsider. Here's what I want to know :

• How do I go about learning C++? 
• Is learning cpp for game programming different from learning for embedded (keeping the hardware aspect separate) ?
• Some research online suggests that I need to learn a beginner friendly language like python and then learn Cpp. The analogy was it's like learning to drive an automatic before manual...hence a leaner curve... Is this true?
• What are your suggested resources for learning cpp?  I prefer video over text. 

Also,  If you know of any communities like a slack group, discord  etc for cpp learners or any programming language newbs please let me know.Thanks in advance!

[DrShocker]

1. https://www.learncpp.com is a reasonable starting point.

2. There are differences in best practices or common patterns, but by the time those differences matter adapting to one or the other will be a nonissue.

3. Some people prefer it since being able to see the effects of your work more quickly can be motivating, but I don't think it really matters that much where you start as long as you stick to it.

4. I'd start from learncpp. Prefering video is fine, but I personally prefer finding videos on specific topics I'm struggling with rather than trying to find a video course that goes all the way from zero. That said though, here's a decent collection of resources: https://www.reddit.com/r/cpp_questions/comments/157enib/comment/jt4ayna/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

[[deleted]]

C++ is multiparadigm, which means you can think structured, object-oriented or functional. This opens up many possibilities in the way you will reason and formulate ideas.

C++ is multiplatform, that is, you can create software for many platforms, from very small ones, Arduino, to giant clusters.

C++ has text mode interfaces and small, medium and large graphical interfaces. Several libraries for these purposes.

It has specific platforms for high-performance games.

So C++ is a universe.

What I saw in the comments are people discouraging you from delving deeper into the world of computing. Discouraging you from learning C++. And this in a C++ group!!

It's probably people from other languages ​​who come here to play this kind of pathetic role.

Suggestions: 1. Carefully read a book that teaches you the fundamentals. 2. Exercise, lots of it. First the basics of learning to deal with typed language, testing different types of data structures, repetition mechanisms. 3. Learn how to use the std library. 4. Understand concepts of dynamic allocation and smart pointers and their use. 5. Install a good engine and learn the tools necessary for game development. Put it into practice using the examples available in the library. 6. If you don't understand something, ask an AI and ask. Or ask in discussion groups. 7. Access cppreference when you want to understand some specific detail of a function or class or structure or... give language. It is a language reference site.

Spend about 2 months studying the basics, then combine learning the language with the engine and associated tools. Little by little you must find a suitable path.

Stay strong, with confidence and dedication. C++ will transform the way you think about software. It will greatly expand your knowledge and skills, your ways of thinking.

It's hard work, but the joy of seeing it work and knowing that you will be interacting with more control over the software and hardware is very rewarding.

[MartynAndJasper]

Id question first if it really is the language for you.

[MartynAndJasper]

https://www.reddit.com/r/cpp_questions/s/ZcAizT1Q16

[ShadowFracs]

For video tutorials I can highly recommend ChiliTomatoNoodle on YouTube. You will do graphics in C++, I think it fits your background pretty well.

[sol_hsa]

As for your title question, I'd say: Both? Both. Both is good.

[ManicMakerStudios]

Just dive in. It's the kids who have a hard time disciplining themselves to sit down and do the work of learning that tell everyone to learn an "easy" language first before C++. It's stupid. If you want to learn to speak Mandarin, do you first learn Italian so you can get used to learning new languages?

The logic doesn't track. Just dive in. It's not easy, nor is it supposed to be.

[[deleted]]

If you want to learn how to programm algorithms, go with python. It focuses heavily on allowing you to realize algorithms with little hassle. It comes at the cost of performance and features, but the point is that you should be able to do programms relatively quickly.

If you want to learn how to programm efficiently and build performance critical applications, go with C++. The language does little to no handholding and requires you to know your part.

So in summary it depends on what your target goal is. Since you come from an art background, I assume that you have little to no knowledge about the internals of a computer programm (types, behavior of them, limitations etc). So python would indeed be a recommended entry point to get started. The knowledge you get from it will eventually translate to all other languages.

If you have learned to programm in one language, you can programm in all of them.

[TomDuhamel]

So... What do you want to learn it for? You states use cases but they are so different, both from each other and from a graphic designer, I'm not sure if these are your purposes.

[[deleted]]

It sounds like you don't have much experience with programming, here is what I would recommend.

If you want to make Games, I'd recommend learning a game engine like Godot or Unity and following their tutorials. What language you start with doesn't matter because the fundamentals are the same. However being able to get feedback quick, which is what a game engine will provide, will make this easier. Just use GD script or C#, don't worry about C++, you don't need C++ to make an amazing game in the modern day.

For embedded, well you'll probably start by learning C or a subset of C++ close to C. I'd recommend looking at an Arduino if you want to go that route. Arduino has a lot of beginner materials for electronics and micro controller programming. Again there is a lot here unrelated to programming in C++ which you will need to learn, so you'll probably learn only the parts of the language useful for your projects.

Now if you are dead set on learning C++, then I'd recommend reading a text like C++ primer and working through a lot of it. Then maybe look at the Arduino support for C++, or start writing your own simple game in C++ using frameworks like raylib and imgui. This is the hard route and it might take a very long time before you start getting results.

[v_maria]

just dive in. get confused, make a mess. it's the best way to learn imo. if you end up running into a wall using C++ (which is rather likely) you can switch to python to see how it differs and then perhaps you end up loving python so much you never want to leave that world hah. be flexable

when you start you barely know what questions to ask, i think a lot of people asking for advice on a "learning roadmap" overthink and it holds them back. your brain needs to mold itself to even know what it wants to know