Beginning C++ Through Game Programming (Paperback)

~ Michael Dawson (Author) "Game programming is demanding..." (more)
Key Phrases: accessor member functions, constant member function, char human, Discussion Questions, Guess My Number, Standard Template Library (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

What is it that sets games apart from other forms of entertainment, keeping players coming back for more? Interactivity. The ability to control the outcome. Programming is an integral part of that interactivity, and C++ is a vital skill in programming for games. Beginning C++ through Game Programming, Second Edition will provide you with the core skills you need to begin programming with C++ specifically as it relates to games. You'll reinforce each new skill by creating small games along the way, and you'll put these skills to the test with one ambitious game project at the end. By the time you finish, you'll have a solid foundation in the programming language of the professionals!

About the Author

Michael Dawson has worked as both a programmer and a computer game designer and producer. In addition to real world game industry experience, Mike earned his bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern California. Currently, he teaches game programming in the Game Production Department of the Los Angeles Film School. Mike has also taught game programming to students through UCLA Extension and The Digital Media Academy at Stanford. He's the author of three other books: Beginning C++ through Game Programming, Guide to Programming with Python, and C++ Projects: Programming with Text-Based Games. You can visit his website at www.programgames.com to learn more or to get support for any of his books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology PTR; 2 edition (December 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598633600
• ISBN-13: 978-1598633603
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,282 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #6 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > C > Tutorials
  #18 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > Game Programming
  #26 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > Introductory & Beginning

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, July 29, 2004

By	M. Fruits "Game Maker" (Kansas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Beginning C++ Game Programming (Game Development Series) (Paperback)

If you're a beginner and want a place to start programming games then this is the book for you. But be sure of one thing, no book can teach you everything, but with help from books like this one written by Michael Dawson it will help you get your foot into the door and then some. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to get into game programming and knows the basics of C++. Here is a little more info about each chapter for those of you that need it.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Types, Variables, and Standard I/O: Lost Fortune
Chapter 2 - Truth, Branching, and The Game Loop: Guess My Number
Chapter 3 - For Loops, Strings, and Arrays: Word Jumble
Chapter 4 - The Standard Template Library: Hangman
Chapter 5 - Functions: Mad-Lib
Chapter 6 - References: Tic-Tac-Toe
Chapter 7 - Pointers: Tic-Tac-Toe 2.0
Chapter 8 - Classes: Critter Caretaker
Chapter 9 - Advanced Classes and Dynamic Memory: Game Lobby
Chapter 10 - Inheritance and Polymorphism: Blackjack

I hope this helps you out.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book with a few flaws on learning C++ using games, January 27, 2006

By	calvinnme "Texan refugee" (Fredericksburg, Va) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Beginning C++ Game Programming (Game Development Series) (Paperback)

Up to now, there were few decent books that taught C++ and the Standard Template Library (STL) and how to use these within a game. This book fills the void. It is a very good book that covers the required material, but it does require that you have more knowledge than an absolute beginner.
The book covers the major aspects of C++ such as inheritance and encapsulation in a very easy to understand and accessible way. The examples for the games are clear, concise, well documented, and very carefully explained. It uses nothing other than the STL to demonstrate how to implement the code, which means that anyone with a recent rev of a C++ compiler can use the book.
I subtracted a single star out of five because the chapter on pointers is insufficient, in my opinion. While the explanations and diagrams make the chapter easier to understand than many books, pointers are still made more complex than is really necessary. There is also no form of exception handling when "new" is used, which is a fundamental flaw with no real excuse given in the book for why is it not handled. It is too easy for new students of the language to get in the habit of letting memory handling go unchecked. Other than these flaws, I do recommend the book, especially to students who want to learn C++ for the purpose of getting into game programming.

79 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Absolute Beginner, June 20, 2006

By	Travis Parks (Howard, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Beginning C++ Game Programming (Game Development Series) (Paperback)

I am not going to bash the book. I haven't read enough to make that kind of judgement (I don't think I intend to read much more). I have glanced over the material, and let me warn anyone planning on buying this book: This book is for the absolute beginner to programming, not game programming, programming in general. The most complicated program outputs to the console. So don't expect to develop any windowed applciations or anything practical. In summary, this is a book that teaches C++ that orients the examples towards elementary text-based games. If you are like me, trying to get a niche in 3D game programming and already have programming experience, buy something else. If you are absolutely beginning, this book could introduce you to programming, but I would recommend a book specifically geared toward teaching C++. I find Premier books to be riddled with careless mistakes, so it is best to buy a book from a publisher like Addison Wesley, Wiley, Pearson, Wrox or O'rielly. This way you will be formally introduced to a language like C++ and you can learn about genuine game programming from the perspective of a experienced programmer. I recommend baby steps - learn the language first, then games. I hope this is helpful. Just looking out for other weathered programmers like myself.