Learning C++ programming?

Question

Many years ago, I was a skilled programmer in Spectrum BASIC. Now I would like to learn a more modern programming language. Would it be easy(ish) to learn C++ with an already broad knowledge of BASIC?

Answer 1

You had a Spectrum? I remember those Sinclair computers. I learned Basic on a Vic-20 and a Commodore CBM (PET) 8032. The Vic-20 sucked, so it was quickly traded in for the 8032 and a floppy drive. I think both of them cost $3000 (yeah, my brothers and I were spoiled back then).

Learning C++ is straight-forward, but you'll find many differences. You'll learn new data types, such as a structure. Old BASIC didn't have While loops, and now you don't have to worry about stupid line numbers and deal with entering program lines with the ridiculous single-line text editing.

You can learn C++ with a book that is geared towards a certain operating system and compiler. Another route is to learn C/C++ under DOS, and then buy a book on programming Windows, or some other operating system. Learning the ins and outs of C and C++ doesn't take that long. However, when you move to programming a GUI operating system, there's plenty of function calls to learn.

Answer 2

I started out with a Spectrum too. I worked professionally as a COBOL programmer and retrained to Natural, then C, then C++, and now (after years as an analyst, database designer and manager) I've gone full circle and am working as a Visual BASIC programmer because I realised programming was more fun than office politics.

I would commend VB to you because (a) it's free in a MS environment (you can download a whole development environment); (b) you'll be familiar with most of the commands from your BASIC days; and (c) it's a good step on the transition to C++.

Although the proponents of one language or another will try to kid you that they're something special, all languages are basically the same in their logical construction. What might throw you at first is Object Oriented programming, but really it mimics to a great extent what any good programmer did of breaking down programs into subroutines etc - they just look after your variables for you at the same time.

You will come across a whole load of annoying details when it comes to simple things like "how do I save a file?" or "how do I draw a line?", but stick with it, do them a few times and soon they'll be second nature.

Good luck, and well done for wanting to learn something new.

Answer 3

C++ is quite different from BASIC.But C++ is really more object oriented than BASIC and studying is very easy.Check the resource section for some cool FULL free boooks on C++ and Visual C++.May be you can try both C and Java also together .

Answer 4

Visual Basic basically hides pointers, memory addresses, from you. In C++ you virtually can't live without pointers.

So, yes you can learn but you will probably have to learn some new tricks.

Answer 5

Its never to late to learn try reading a book on C++ and see what you think yourself here is a site where you can download one for free.
http://freecomputerbooks.com/

Hope this answer is what you want and good luck

Answer 6

Sure. C++ is object orientated so your going to need to get familiar oop terms such as Classes and Inheritance. You can define your own types (classes). Checkout codeguru.com

Answer 7

i think if you know the basics of any programming language, you'll manage.
they are both high-level languages!

Answer 8

It is not easy , but if you are into programming you will do it.
There is a will There is a way.

Answer 9

If you want to get C lessons from me in pdf format , send me your e-mail.