Elysian Shadows

I am stumped as to which game programming book to get. I want either OpenGL Game Programming or Focus on SDL. Your opinion would probably help me. My C++ skills are basic, and I know such things as pointers, inheritance, classes, and file i/o. 3d vs 2d programming doesn't really matter to me. I just want to make good games. I would like to know some multiplayer programming, so I'm leaning towards Focus on SDL. If you have read either/both of these books, and think that it would benefit me to purchase said book, please comment below. Suggestions to other good books will be considered thoroughly.

EDIT: I noticed I didn't explain why I can't just use online tutorials. I would like something material, so that I can have it ready for use even if I go offline. Online tutorials also don't really go into detail, or they just give you code.

I would say SDL is easier for the beginner, and you can use it as a base for OpenGL later on. Since you don't care 2D vs. 3D, and also since I've never seen either of those books before (not that they aren't popular, I don't usually use books), I'm not much help for deciding which would be best for you.

Hopefully some of these guys will have much better advice for you regarding choice of books.

dandymcgee wrote:I would say SDL is easier for the beginner, and you can use it as a base for OpenGL later on. Since you don't care 2D vs. 3D, and also since I've never seen either of those books before (not that they aren't popular, I don't usually use books), I'm not much help for deciding which would be best for you.

Hopefully some of these guys will have much better advice for you regarding choice of books.

Well thanks for your input. I still have plenty of time to decide(2 weeks)

I'd say an SDL book would be best as well

dandymcgee wrote:I would say SDL is easier for the beginner, and you can use it as a base for OpenGL later on. Since you don't care 2D vs. 3D, and also since I've never seen either of those books before (not that they aren't popular, I don't usually use books), I'm not much help for deciding which would be best for you.

That's usually the consensus but I had a firm grasp of pointers and intermediate-advanced concepts and started with OpenGL, so I really can't say from a beginner's point of view. However, having used both SDL and OpenGL -- although only a little, nothing extensive -- SDL seems easier, to me.
Oh, and the only programming books I own are C++ for Dummies, ASP.NET with C#, and C#. And the last two were bought for me by work.

MarauderIIC wrote:

dandymcgee wrote:I would say SDL is easier for the beginner, and you can use it as a base for OpenGL later on. Since you don't care 2D vs. 3D, and also since I've never seen either of those books before (not that they aren't popular, I don't usually use books), I'm not much help for deciding which would be best for you.

That's usually the consensus but I had a firm grasp of pointers and intermediate-advanced concepts and started with OpenGL, so I really can't say from a beginner's point of view. However, having used both SDL and OpenGL -- although only a little, nothing extensive -- SDL seems easier, to me.
Oh, and the only programming books I own are C++ for Dummies, ASP.NET with C#, and C#. And the last two were bought for me by work.

Is C++ for dummies a good ref?

Netwatcher wrote:Is C++ for dummies a good ref?

When I was starting out, maybe. It's been in the top of my closet for years now, though.

Well, I learned my C++ with C++ for dummies, so yes! I learned with the all-in-one desk reference.

EDIT: Well if the price of each goes down a dollar, I shall get them both!
EDIT No 2: Can OpenGL be rendered as 2d, or is it 3d specific?

JaxDragon wrote: EDIT No 2: Can OpenGL be rendered as 2d, or is it 3d specific?

It's 3D specific but you can do 2D with it.
Edit: there was a confusion, thought you said SDL not OpenGL so changed the post

MarauderIIC wrote:

Netwatcher wrote:Is C++ for dummies a good ref?

When I was starting out, maybe. It's been in the top of my closet for years now, though.

I really didn't like that book. It was the only book my school library had related to programming (the next closest thing was Windows XP for Dummies) so I decided to check it out (no pun intended). I found it to just be a difficult read for learning from scratch, although I'd imagine it would make a fairly decent reference. Of course I've always preferred the more hands-on approach of copy/pasting code from somewhere and then hacking it to death in an attempt to figure out exactly how it works.

dandymcgee wrote:

MarauderIIC wrote:

Netwatcher wrote:Is C++ for dummies a good ref?

When I was starting out, maybe. It's been in the top of my closet for years now, though.

I really didn't like that book. It was the only book my school library had related to programming (the next closest thing was Windows XP for Dummies) so I decided to check it out (no pun intended). I found it to just be a difficult read for learning from scratch, although I'd imagine it would make a fairly decent reference. Of course I've always preferred the more hands-on approach of copy/pasting code from somewhere and then hacking it to death in an attempt to figure out exactly how it works.

Most so called "Programming Books" are references, which will make absolutely no sense to a beginner reading them!
even the basic stuff, they find ways to make it a pain to understand.... that's why I started learning from the internet and a game programming book...(maybe not the best way... but it worked for me)

And since I don't have a C/++ reference I guess that dummy book will do... FOR NOW!
(putting smilies that don't reflect w/e I'm writing is fun)

I suppose thats true. I read my book after watching about 5 of Strelok's C++ Tutorials and the chapters that were about what I already knew made more sense to me than the other ones.

JaxDragon wrote:EDIT No 2: Can OpenGL be rendered as 2d, or is it 3d specific?

Well of course you can render 2D stuff in OpenGL, if you don't use the z axis you'll be rendering 2D ( This would also apply to any other 3D rendering library :P ) You can turn off/not use depth testing, shading and other fancy 3D stuff as well.

If that doesn't answer your question, ask again ( a bit more in-depth, preferably ).

Thats the answer I was looking for, thanks.

JaxDragon wrote:Thats the answer I was looking for, thanks.

If it can render in 3D,and 2 is in 3...