PocketMatrix

Hi all,

Ok, I want to ask everyone a question and it's one that everyone must have at least been asked a few times...

You see, I'm very much into building games for PC's, but I've always used VB or BASIC like languages to build them. What I would like to do now, is to move to creating games for PocketPC as this market needs many more games written, but I'd like to do it using GAPIDraw. Now, I know what you're thinking. To do this, I'm going to have to use eVC++, and I have no problem with this. I know a good 15 or so languages, all be it most are high level, and I'm sure I could get into eVC++ quickly, but I need to know the best way into this. I already understand the concept of pointers, polymorphism, inheritance, blah blah blah, I just need a good solid book or something by my side that can tell me how to put it all together.

Does anyone have an answer?

I was thinking of buying a book on VC++ and them moving onto eVC++ from there, but is that the best option???

Thanks,

Most of the Visual C++ books spend too much time explaining the environment & using the visual elements when in fact what you really need to know about is how classes work and the syntax of functions.

I bought Programming Microsoft Windows CE by Douglas Boling and it's ok but again drells on regular Windows tuff too much which as a games developer you don't use much.

A word of caution. I set aside 3 months to learn C++ having come from a professional programming background including lots of game programming and it took me 15 months to get really comfortable with C++

It's ironic that you all should mention this. I got so far as chapter 5 in the SAMS book and then realized that the damn thing had nothing left to offer me... It just went on more about how to use the native ActiveX controls. I started tinkering around with the simple example supplied with GAPIDraw, and with some chewing and ahhhing, worked out exactly what was going on and why (though I would like to ask what HRESULT is and TCHAR & DWORD. Well, I know they are variable types, but I don't exactly know things like the bytes they take up or their uses and limitations. Also, this Blit thing is a bit new to me... Though I do know that it's graphic based.

I guess I'll just have to keep tinkering with the info I have gleaned and see what I can accomplish.

On a requestful note... Is anyone out there willing to offer me any sample code on how to use a sprite in relation to stylus/button movement (ie to learn how to cycle the sprites frames etc.)???

Thanks again guys. You've all helped me alot - especially with the enthusiasm.

The sprite code in Harbour's book is pretty good for a starting point. I definately recommend getting the book to help understand the basics of the pocketpc. Other than that, there are several good websites that provide pocketpc programming tips.

-- GR

I'm learning C++ right now too, and I want to eventually make a game with GAPIdraw. I'm reading the book C++: How to program by Deitel & Deitel. It looks like a good book, my brother borrowed it from a friend who is a master programmer

It doens't have any crap about how to use IDEs or windows programming. Just console programs. I think that's the best way to learn a language though, you can focus on learning the LANGUAGE, not learning to use a window toolkit or an ide. Once you have a good understanding of the language other stuff should come easily...

Thanks for that.

I've already read a book on C++ programming but it was a little old. It did explain all about structures and bit operators etc. though, so it wasn't a total loss. What I'll probably do is learn how to use the visual C++ IDE and then push to buying more books on actual coding practices and the like.