C++

So, like…I’ve been trying to learn an programming language (any of them would do, really) for about 12 years now. It’s *all* gone right over my head – mostly because the books I’ve spent THOUSANDS of dollars on over the years have always started with “Type this in…don’t worry what it means, just do it…” and kick off the book with a 20-40 line program example.

I’m a *WHY* guy. I really *do* need to know what “public static class void main()” means right at the beginning, or I’ll be (and have been) forever lost.

So, you might ask…
A) How are things going this time…I don’t suppose you’d write about it if you were having the same luck you were having before, ne?
B) Why would you want to learn to program anyway?

My boss asked me to look into some Enterprise-level software called MULE… It’s a data transport software that takes info from one system, and moves it to another (otherwise incompatible) system. We need it to move data from the airport’s Gate Management System to the Flight Information System.
So, like a good little redshirt, I went to the website….and promptly fell asleep. I still have a bruise on my forehead and keyboard imprints on my cheeks.
This caused quite a reaction in me.

First: It made me wonder if I’m in the right line of work, afterall… I love my job, but I may not be cut out for this particular direction all that much…and it’s fairly critical that I grok it. This “brave new world” is just so farging CHOCK FULL of acronyms, and what appears to be a combination of MarketingSpeak and just plain old gibberish that it makes me wonky just thinking about it…

Tell you what…have a look yourself.
If you can stay awake and not zone out or wind up with your own instance of keyboard imprints on your face by the time you reach the end of the “Mule In A Nutshell” bullet point list, I’ll give you $5.

But you have to come get it in person. 🙂

Second: A couple years ago, Cornered Rat Software was advertising for a programmer who had a couple years of C++ experience, and a specialization in Aerodynamics, Ballistics, and Game Programming. (their flightmodel for WWII Online is borked, they admit it, but they can’t do anything about it, because the guy who wrote it has since left for greener pastures.)
Even if I had started learning C++ on the day they announced the opening – specifically to get that job, by now, I would have? You guessed it. 2 years of C++ experience, and a focus on Game Programming, Aerodynamics and Ballistics.
And they haven’t filled that job yet.

On the down side, I’m still at least 2 years away from attaining that goal, and even then, it would mean a move to Bedford, TX. (*ick*)
On the up side…I love playing games, but always have issues with games that get released. I have a vision, and I want to try my hand at making that vision work.
So I have to start someplace.

I know it’s possible, and it’s almost even reasonable – I have a certain someone on my FL who actually *does* work for a game company – so I know it’s an attainable goal (roll 3d6 for 17+, maybe, but still…)

So, two weeks ago, I found this great List on Amazon “How to become a Game Programmer” or some such, and there were about a zillion books listed as being recommended (all of which are on their own Wish List…hint-hint. 🙂 ), and the first one was “The Beginner’s Guide to C++” by Oleg Yaroshenko.

And, for the first time *ever*…*I* *UNDERSTAND* *IT*.
I’ve worked my way almost 100 pages in, and still have full comprehension of what’s going on.

*dies*

Then again, I see there are some things that I need to play “catch up” on.
The book was written in 1994, and the C++ language has…drifted…a bit since then.
So the sample programs aren’t compiling or executing properly…but I *WILL* persevere, and I *WILL* get to a point where I’m writing code that includes physics and aerodynamics and 3D Graphics.

*YES*

🙂