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| A math exam will never cover more than two or three very basic subjects |
Depends on the math exam you took. The second to last math exam I took (my "qualification exam") covered quite a broad scale of subjects. With all due respect to programming languages, the amount of information you need to remember to be able to use them fully is not large at all.
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| Depends on the math exam you took. |
Hmm, as far as reading books goes...
Reading about a programming language is very important to me but only in the "looking-up" "googled" form.
How many books on programming have you guys actually read? At 11 I read 1/10 of a book on Basic for a no-longer-existing communist block brand of pc (the pc didn't have a monitor even). At 15 I read 1/4 of a "teach yourself" book on Delphi (an object oriented version of pascal by Borland). Since I ever got in touch with computers, I have been able to struggle only through about 5 pages of a C++ book (with great effort).
What use were these books to me? All I needed to start programming (in C++) was a good template of a window popping up and a template of the
I know I wouldn't qualify as a programmer in the eyes of most experienced software developers but hey - I can pop up windows, use WINAPI graphics as I wish, and do any mathematical algorithm that pleases me (and actually works).
So what is this big fuss with programming books? Just go ahead and hack at what you want to do! And google regularly when you get stuck, and to make sure you didn't miss the basics and don't reinvent the wheel!
Reading about a programming language is very important to me but only in the "looking-up" "googled" form.
How many books on programming have you guys actually read? At 11 I read 1/10 of a book on Basic for a no-longer-existing communist block brand of pc (the pc didn't have a monitor even). At 15 I read 1/4 of a "teach yourself" book on Delphi (an object oriented version of pascal by Borland). Since I ever got in touch with computers, I have been able to struggle only through about 5 pages of a C++ book (with great effort).
What use were these books to me? All I needed to start programming (in C++) was a good template of a window popping up and a template of the
if() syntax, the for() syntax and the function calling syntax. For the other programming languages I tried, I needed even less for a starter. I know I wouldn't qualify as a programmer in the eyes of most experienced software developers but hey - I can pop up windows, use WINAPI graphics as I wish, and do any mathematical algorithm that pleases me (and actually works).
So what is this big fuss with programming books? Just go ahead and hack at what you want to do! And google regularly when you get stuck, and to make sure you didn't miss the basics and don't reinvent the wheel!
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| How many books on programming have you guys actually read? |
I've read lots and lots...and a few more besides. I prefer a good book to trawling the net trying to find information on a subject that I don't know.
While there are numerous good articles, tutorials, and forums on the net for someone new to C++, there is equally enough garbage out there that will just confuse someone new to C++. Purchasing a solid book provides (for the most part) correct information, best practices, etc... Combining the two mediums provides the most effective method of learning. I think the best approach to learning is a strong foundational book coupled with experimentation and learning from others. That's why this website is so important. It gives new guys the chance to talk to the industry experts and learn from them first hand. There's nothing better than having helios, duoas, etc... look over your code that just blew up and get some recommendations or advice. That's something you cannot get from a book or from searching google. I have approximately 15-20 books that touch on C++ in some fashion simply because I prefer to have them in print... that and I'm a book pack rat....
If you think that the Internet is a perfectly good substitute for books (we'll ignore the fact that you can get books from it), then I think you're not so much a programmer as you are a mathematician who can code.
I do admit I haven't done much reading myself. Of which I'm somewhat ashamed.
I do admit I haven't done much reading myself. Of which I'm somewhat ashamed.
Applying the same logic to you who didn't read that many books...
You are simply a programmer who can code...
... just joking!
To me anyone who can code is a programmer. The professional ones are simply those who make a living out of it.
You are simply a programmer who can code...
... just joking!
To me anyone who can code is a programmer. The professional ones are simply those who make a living out of it.
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So by that logic everyone who can play a note or two can be considered a musician?
There has to be at least some quality to the code, for me to call someone a programmer...
but perhaps thats just me...
There has to be at least some quality to the code, for me to call someone a programmer...
but perhaps thats just me...
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| So by that logic everyone who can play a note or two can be considered a musician? There has to be at least some quality to the code, for me to call someone a programmer... |
you got me there... You are right, of course quality of the code matters.
How do you measure the quality of the code though? Through the programmer's experience or how many books he read? Or through what and how the program actually does?
To me a person who doesn't know to read/write notes, doesn't know a single line of music theory, but can play well his instrument and compose nice pieces by ear is equally a musician as a professional one.
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closed account (z05DSL3A)
| How do you measure the quality of the code though? |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_quality
Nice link! I just realized how much more work I must do on my code to adhere to the criteria described there (I don't agree with one of them though- security more precisely - that is a buzzword that applies to specific software (definitely not to mine), and has no place in general software criteria).
On another note: to recognize those criteria, you don't need to have ever read any book on programming. They are just common sense.
On another note: to recognize those criteria, you don't need to have ever read any book on programming. They are just common sense.
| I don't agree with one of them though- security more precisely - that is a buzzword that applies to specific software (definitely not to mine), and has no place in general software criteria |
Umm ... this is what I found...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffer_overrun
I guess not checking the ranges of your input data can be considered an ordinary bug (a "reliability" issue), but if you equate reliability to security, I agree, that is fine by me. Wikipedia's paragraph I was protesting against was:
(from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_quality )
@ Grey Wolf: my problem with reading programming books is I find (the 2-3 I have laid my eyes upon) them completely demotivating. I entered the world of programming with the desire to write particular program(s), not to have either all kinds of easy-to-guess language information, or a complete list of syntax details that are useful (to me) as reference only. I find the look-up model of learning to program much more inspiring.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffer_overrun
I guess not checking the ranges of your input data can be considered an ordinary bug (a "reliability" issue), but if you equate reliability to security, I agree, that is fine by me. Wikipedia's paragraph I was protesting against was:
(from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_quality )
| Does the software protect itself and its data against unauthorized access and use? Does it allow its operator to enforce security policies? Are security mechanisms appropriate, adequate and correctly implemented? Can the software withstand attacks that can be anticipated in its intended environment? Is the software free of errors that would make it possible to circumvent its security mechanisms? |
@ Grey Wolf: my problem with reading programming books is I find (the 2-3 I have laid my eyes upon) them completely demotivating. I entered the world of programming with the desire to write particular program(s), not to have either all kinds of easy-to-guess language information, or a complete list of syntax details that are useful (to me) as reference only. I find the look-up model of learning to program much more inspiring.
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I am a person who creates some C++ programs only for fun. Even if are 10 years I use C++ I am VERY FAR to be a DECENT programmer (so, very more far from a good one). This for various reasons (it is not my work, I don't have too much time, probably I need more time to understand some things, etc).
However, if you are interested in C++ game programming I suggest you to download view one of those two libraries: SDL or Allegro (it is impossible to use both in the same program).
SDL = http://www.libsdl.org
Allegro = http://www.allegro.cc
They are both Multi-Platform and both are thinked mostly for Game Development. They are "C" Libraries, but you can use them also with "C++" without any problem. Seeing I am not a good programmer I never used SDL and sometime I use Allegro.
They both have advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Allegro: it is all included and all ready-to-use. If you read documentation (after the normal troubles first times) it will be easyer to understand
DisAdvantages of Allegro: it is VERY HARD to extend functions. For example Allegro doesn't natively support Mp3 or Ogg files for music
Advantages of SDL: it can be extended "easly". There are tons of sub-libraries that allows you to do more things that under Allegro you cannot do easly (for example: play Mp3 or Ogg files). SDL itself is very light (only basics functions) and not heavy as Allegro.
DisAdvantages of SDL: you probably need to install one or more sub-libraries for some uses (that, under Allegro, are supported natively). So it is a little harder to install.
It is also a little harder to learn SDL than Allegro.
However, if you are interested in C++ game programming I suggest you to download view one of those two libraries: SDL or Allegro (it is impossible to use both in the same program).
SDL = http://www.libsdl.org
Allegro = http://www.allegro.cc
They are both Multi-Platform and both are thinked mostly for Game Development. They are "C" Libraries, but you can use them also with "C++" without any problem. Seeing I am not a good programmer I never used SDL and sometime I use Allegro.
They both have advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Allegro: it is all included and all ready-to-use. If you read documentation (after the normal troubles first times) it will be easyer to understand
DisAdvantages of Allegro: it is VERY HARD to extend functions. For example Allegro doesn't natively support Mp3 or Ogg files for music
Advantages of SDL: it can be extended "easly". There are tons of sub-libraries that allows you to do more things that under Allegro you cannot do easly (for example: play Mp3 or Ogg files). SDL itself is very light (only basics functions) and not heavy as Allegro.
DisAdvantages of SDL: you probably need to install one or more sub-libraries for some uses (that, under Allegro, are supported natively). So it is a little harder to install.
It is also a little harder to learn SDL than Allegro.
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