DirectX or Game engine?

[Janman]

Hey!
I want to be a programmer one day, not necessarily a game programmer. I have learned all the basics in C++, and now I don't know if I should learn DirectX 11 or learn a game engine like Unreal game engine to make games.
If I learn a game engine, can I use it in the future, if I become a game programmer?
What would be better to know in the future for me?

[zb0S216C]

DirectX is an API for audio, graphics, and I/O. A game engine incorporates all key aspects within a game such as AI, physics, audio, I/O, graphics, etc. DirectX is an overwhelming API which you can easily lose track of.

I would go for the pre-built engine, Unreal.

_Wazzak

[mcrist]

I also heard that you needed to get involved in knowing the Win32 API when working with DirectX. I've kicked it around a bit and I know there are a lot of references to it, so would actually learning the Win32 API be advantageous?