Im only 14 so bear with me here! I really understand computers a lot though, and it will probably be a future carreer of mine so i figure i better learn C++ now to get a head start, know what im saying? So i just want to know for all you pros out there, if you have any tips for learning the language.

Same deal as him except add CSharp, Java, Web languages (HTML PHP Javascript CSS etc), VB08.

I want to learn XNA, Maya, 3Dsmax, the above languages, Physics, Dark GDK.

ah yes C++


i hated that.

Well, I've been talking to a college, and they've told me it's best to learn Visual Basic first, and then go on to C, C++ etc..

It's best to learn it at a college, rather than online.

Hurrrr... Any colleges I can attend at 14?

Well, I don't know if you've got to be a certain age or not, but I do know they do Night Courses. Like 1 or 2 sessions a week, 7pm till 9pm.

To be honest, you've most definitely got to be 16+ but oh well! I am, so alls good with me (h)!

There was a high school freshman in my english comp class.


But anyway...

If you want to enjoy C++, or any coding language, then I hope you enjoy lots of text and silly errors and hate looking at a visual interface.

I'd say start out making a web page in notepad or something like that, and see if you stay enjoyed with it.

Because that's what hand coding is going to be like.

It's a pain, but I enjoyed my coding classes.
Though ironically, it was my C++ class that pushed me into more of a visual enjoyment, although I do have a soft spot for hand coding in Flash.

FYI, I replied to your question in the "Ask Anyone Thread"

To the OP:

Learn how to define a problem, what's needed, the underlying logic, and the rest is all syntax (OK, that's greatly simplified, but you get the picture).

The point is: I can design the system architecture of a required solution independent of the language/framework used to implement it. That becomes very handy in larger scale development efforts where you're dealing with heterogeneous solutions and integration.

If your intent is to become an applications/web developer, then I'd say while C++ will give you an outstanding tool for such, there is a whole world of page level scripting solutions that are more commonly used (the C++ folks tend to be focused on middle-tier business objects, transaction handlers, data access components, etc.).

I've developed professionally in C/C++/C#/VB/Perl/Smalltalk/ASP/Java/etc using enterprise frameworks like .NET and J2EE and for end-to-end web development always have to a skillset mix of database design (there is a science to this which is all its own), DB transaction language (T/SQL, PL/SQL), middle-tier objects for the DAL, front-middle-tier data abstraction layers, app level objects, page markup (HTML/CSS), client-side scripting (Javascript), inter-enterprise communication using webservices/XML/XSD, etc., etc.

So there's a huge amount if things to understand, beyond just the syntax of a language, but that's a good place to start. If you're not in a formal school setting - I'd following something online that incrementally defines problems, constrains the scope of the problem, and has you learn to understand what's needed to be done with the language to resolve the problem.

BTW, you said "pointers" and asked about C++, I'm assuming the pun was unintentional

DT pretty much hit it on the head, the whole framework is pretty similar from language to language, so you just need to learn the programming basics, and then it's just down to learning the syntax for each language, good quality programmers can learn a new syntax in under 2 days.

Not really sure what more advice to give you on starting. Obviously if you have no previous experience with coding you'll want to learn the basics. Like mentioned above, simple HTML would probably be a good place for you begin.

I do know C++ though pretty well, so feel free to PM me if you ever have more specific questions.