I learned C++ Now what?

[brianbathorycpp]

Hello

For the past year I finally got into learning C++. I Picked up the C++ Primer Plus book and everything went pretty good.
I want to make games, primarily, and music related stuff like VST's and so on.
I dabbled a little bit with SDL following LazyFoo's guides and a few videos on youtube. However, I think that dealing with all of that might be a bit too hard for me right now.

What should I be doing?
How do I practice?
Is it okay for me to keep trying SDL?
What if I want to make something else non game related? Like a simple windows program for a shop or something among those lines.

Thanks!..

[SamuelAdams]

Well if you really don't know, you should take a class or something.

[kepler0]

Anything, just do anything, if you have a problem, try solving it with software.

[Thomas1965]

How do I practice?

Study more:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Standard-Library-Tutorial-Reference/dp/0321623215/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1515053103&sr=1-3&keywords=nicolai+josuttis

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=stroustrup+c%2B%2B

Pratice
http://www.dreamincode.net/forums/topic/78802-martyr2s-mega-project-ideas-list/

[Manga]

If it is games you like, then make a few. Try 2-d first, then move on to 3-d. As for 2-d games, I would highly suggest making the switch to sfml. The tutorials given with sfml are much easier and faster to learn. You'll be making games before you know it!

[rjphares]

I am in a similar situation. I am studying C++ Primer Plus still. I decided to register for the CLA(C Certificate) from C++ Institute https://cppinstitute.org/
I will probably end up studying more about STL when I finish C++ Primer Plus.

[Cubbi]

brianbathorycpp wrote:

I Picked up the C++ Primer Plus

rjphares wrote:

I am studying C++ Primer Plus still.

Why would that knock-off become anyone's choice? Actual C++ books can be found here: https://stackoverflow.com/a/388282/273767

rjphares wrote:

I decided to register for the CLA (C Certificate) from C++ Institute https://cppinstitute.org/

Nobody recognizes their "certificates" any more than any other poorly-written web tutorials for beginners. But I suppose it doesn't hurt as long as you don't give them money.

To give a constructive comment, I think the best entry to career programming is through fixing bugs in the open-source software you care about. In anything that's actually used, from compilers and browsers to small utilities and libraries, there are plenty of low-priority open issues, and some of them are simple to fix (I suppose not too many interesting games are both open-sourced and actively maintained, though). And if you want to be a hobbyist programmer, then carve your own paths, use whatever you like, build grand designs or small toys, as long as it's fun.