which of these books...

[Brazooka]

...is/are better for a total noob?

1- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/15...104-9575858-8912735?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

2- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/15...coding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance&n=283155

3- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...coding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance&n=283155

4- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/06...104-9575858-8912735?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Another question: Is it possible to code using a windows xp home edition?

I really want to make my own real small hl2 mod, just for fun! Maybe I'll get more than one book... is that a good idea? Having more than one source and all...?

I also got some internet sources from some threads, but I would like to learn from a book or 2 either.

Thanks :thumbs:

 

[[IDF]Thrillhouse]

I think number 4 is bullshit.
I heard this books are really crap but ive never read one.

Number 3 i think is more about game engines and so on
but if you only would like to programm a small hl2 mod you
will not need to know how a game engine is working in detail.

I ve started with a 1000 pages long book from Data Becker about c++
in general which i never read completly. It had nothing to do with
gameprogramming. I don´t know if i am a "pro"programmer but i think
the more time you programm the more experience you will get and
therefore you do not need a special book about gameprogramming.

my 2 cents

Cu Thrillhouse

 

[crackhead]

contrary to what thrillhouse says id go for number 4 i have that book and i highly recomend it. of couse it takes alot more that 21 days to even read it never mind understanding it but it really is very good.

 

[Angry Lawyer]

Number four is the book I taught myself with. In fact, it's still sitting on my desk.

You don't want to jump into a Game Programming manual until you actually know how to use C++. So start with 4 and then work onto one of the others.

-Angry Lawyer

 

[StardogChampion]

I recommend Sam's anything. I have a PHP version that's computer-based meaning you can expand/collapse all the different sections, but I guess the book's just as good.

 

[Brazooka]

Number four is the book I taught myself with. In fact, it's still sitting on my desk.

You don't want to jump into a Game Programming manual until you actually know how to use C++. So start with 4 and then work onto one of the others.

-Angry Lawyer

For now, it's Sams(number 4)... and what about the OS? is it ok to use a windows xp home edition? I heard somewhere thet you need pro edition to compile the code or something... is that right?

 

[crackhead]

no thats not true

 

[Angry Lawyer]

For now, it's Sams(number 4)... and what about the OS? is it ok to use a windows xp home edition? I heard somewhere thet you need pro edition to compile the code or something... is that right?

It works on any version of XP.

However, you need Microsoft Visual C++ 2003 to easily compile Half-Life 2's code.

-Angry Lawyer

 

[Brazooka]

Is Microsoft Visual C++ 2003 free?

 

[Ti133700N]

Is Microsoft Visual C++ 2003 free?

no...

.

 

[AKIRA]

Where can you buy Microsoft Visual C++ and how much does it cost?

 

[Angry Lawyer]

Your local computer store should have it in stock, and it costy me just under £100.

Well worth the investment.

-Angry Lawyer

 

[AKIRA]

Ok, I'm going to take programming next year, we're using visual basic.

Now how if I know how to use Visual Basic pretty well, will I be able to mess around and create mods?

 

[Ti133700N]

You won't be able to do much if you only know Visual Basic. You'll need to learn C++ if you want to MOD for Source.

 

[AKIRA]

Alright, thanks, I'm really looking forward to learning all this stuff, because I really want to start a career in video game desgin - preferrably fps games.

 

[Deleter]

I have book #3 and it is more on the game structure and designing games than on any realy solid code. So basically it teaches you how to put together games and design them, not code them, which I think is what you want. While it is a great book, and does show some coding stuff, it really is not intended to be used to learn how to code games.

 

[Brazooka]

Thanks, I'm going with #4 for now.