C++ abilities

[dudeperfect]

Hello, I'm new guy in C++ world. I'm here, because I want to be programmer( as my profesion). I want to make apps for smart phones, games for pc, maybe consoles or also smart phones. Is c++ good choise for those things? I also need some motivation. Maybe you can send here some links with games or apps, which was created with C++? Thanks.

[Pravesh Koirala]

C++ is without doubt, the perfect language to develop games. I don't have the facts but just to emphasize my point, I believe, over 90% of games are developed in C++.

[dudeperfect]

Okey. I also saw in youtube OpenGL with C++ in title.
What is that mean OpenGL?
And... To create for example application for smart phone, or game. You just need to open compiler and write a lot of code? Nothing more?

[Pravesh Koirala]

OpenGL is a graphics library.
Think of it in this way.
C++ can't print in console directly, so you have to use the iostream library (technically, its not a library, but never mind).
Similarly, when you want to access graphics card, or the other underlying hardwares, you use OpenGL. But its a 3D library and it can be real tough for beginners. I suggest using 2D libraries like SDL, Allegro or SFML if you are beginning game programming. Later when you are comfortable with it, you can switch over to OpenGL

[dudeperfect]

Thank you, but how about, you know, other programs to complete game? Usually game has .exe file, you need to install it. A lot of files creates. All this is from C++ code? Or you need to have other software to do these things?

[Pravesh Koirala]

A game requires many things.
Graphics, sounds, saved games, and etcs. They all have different softwares. You create graphics in 3D rendering tools like Maya, or Blender or etcs. Sounds are mp3, ogg and etc.
Then there are libraries (usually .dll), coded mostly in C++. And then there are game scripts.
Game programming is a vast concept you know. You can't learn about it by chatting with some anonymous guy on internet. If you are comfortable with C++, and truly dedicated, this will serve you good.
lazyfoo.net/SDL_tutorials/index.php

[dudeperfect]

Thank you for information. I'm just asking. :)

[zb0S216C]

Here's a few projects that were created in C++: http://cplus.about.com/od/cgames/C_Games_with_Source_Code.htm

Also, I think C# (ugh) and Java are commonly used to develop applications for phones. After a quick job search, nobody is hiring C/C++ programmers; they all want that dreadful C#.

_Wazzak

[Moschops]

After a quick job search, nobody is hiring C/C++ programmers;

We simply cannot find enough C and C++ coders to fill the vacancies. That said, we do not program anything that goes on phones.

[Azagaros]

Gee you guys are up to date: On most smart phones that use a ARM processor I can develop any any language I can find a compiler to support it, which is gcc and clang/llvm. Even Free pascal can develop smart phone apps.

[Computergeek01]

I just want to say that depending on your definition of "game", over 90% of games are developed in FLASH not C\C++. Java takes up another significant chunk of that remaining percentage. No doubt the big blockbuster games are developed with C\C++ as the underlying language and C\C++ is definiatly one of the top 5 best languages for writing games in. But it cannot compete with the speed and simplicity of something like Flash. I'm not trying to be a troll here, I just want to avoid the fanboyisim that I see on everyother site.

[Moschops]

But it cannot compete with the speed ... of something like Flash.

I presume you mean speed of development?

[Azagaros]

Flash is fast? Gee most games written in flash are hefty bulky chucks of code, which need monster processors to support. It like when playing Tetris battle on face book the resources on this 4gb box go nuts for a game that could play on 16-bit processors with 1/100 of the memory.

[Computergeek01]

Sorry, I should clarify that I meant the speed of development. I suck with Flash and even I could crank out a game in an afternoon.

[Azagaros]

A good c++ programmer with sdl/sfml can too. There are a lot of youtube video of just that.