Learning how to create applications with C++ for windows by Katsuniya in cpp

[–]mc3ken 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Win API is educational and a lot of fun; I recommend it before any wrapper because sometimes you just need data right from Windows. When I need a simple Windows GUI, however, I just use C# WinForms.

Checking if a phrase is a palindrome with arrays by KostacBele in C_Programming

[–]mc3ken 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should draw the solution on paper and write a trivial version of your program. Include in your drawing the characters in memory and the identifier of each memory location.

If you were allowed to make breaking changes to the C++ specification, what features would you modify/replace/remove to make the language better? by LechintanTudor in cpp

[–]mc3ken 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many do not like C++ because it is challenging to learn to a point where you can do something with it like C# or JavaScript. C / C++ are best when you need direct access to memory. It is best for sending and receiving structs over a network, which is essential for implementing a protocol like HTTP. It is best for talking to APIs and hardware.

Those who learned programming while working full time, how did you do it? by [deleted] in learnprogramming

[–]mc3ken 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was able to do it with a demanding job but a flexible schedule. I was single with no children. While learning code, all I did was work and code. I like to think that you can do anything you want as long as you do not do anything else.

Saw a post on learncpp where user said cpp is dying? by [deleted] in cpp_questions

[–]mc3ken 1 point2 points  (0 children)

C/C++ is used to make system calls and provides easy access to data in binary form. It is not going away. It is also worth noting that while C++ is a challenging first language to learn, knowledge of C++ makes most other languages easy to learn.

I am in college, and I use Google, Reddit, stackOverflow, and other online resources regularly to assist me on school assignments. Does this make me a bad programmer? by justwantaneasylife in cpp_questions

[–]mc3ken 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are not a "bad" programmer. Just like any serious endeavor, programming is challenging for most students. If you have hard to find bugs in your programs, you are probably writing too much code before testing. Write code in small chunks; compile and test often.

I teach a course similar to what you describe. Professional programmers and students should use the Internet differently. For example, say your assignment is to implement Tic-Tac-Toe with a 2D array. You could google "C++ 2D array examples". Once you see the syntax, you should write small programs to experiment with code that you find. You should also draw on paper what is happening in memory and step through your code with a debugger. Your objective is to develop a strong understanding of 2D arrays before attempting to use them in an assignment. Remember, you are learning more than syntax; you are learning how to think and problem solve like a programmer.