Where to start on Windows and DirectX programming?

[Psychless]

For the past few months I've been working on C++ and have felt that I understand the basic concepts. However, command line based programs aren't exactly interesting to make and serve almost no purpose. I want to start on Windows programming and learn enough DirectX to make a simple game such as Pac-Man or Pong. I have absolutely no idea where to start though, when I try to learn something it talks about raytracing or some other complex concept when I don't even know how to make a simple game. I would greatly appreciate some pointers on where to start. Thank you.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

you know. You should learn bit more before trying to move onto more stuff.

The basics aren't enough.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Try transitioning from console C++ applications to form / window based applications made with Microsoft Visual C++ rather going straight to Direct3D programming........

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Try transitioning from console C++ applications to form / window based applications made with Microsoft Visual C++ rather going straight to Direct3D programming........

Or try programming languages that have simpler graphical capabilities built in (like Java's AWT/Swing packages). I've heard C#/ASP.NET is also simpler than straight C++ on top of the Windows APIs, but I haven't had much chance to mess around with it.

If you want to do games -- IMO start with 2D stuff and the basics of games, user interaction, etc. before you try to get into 3D graphics and rendering. You can do lots of interesting things without needing 3D.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

I would say expand you knowledge and go Java and Objectdraw.

Java is fairly easy to learn, and object draw provides a good first look at 2d objects.

I used the Marine Biology Case Study for Java when I was still a newb and modified it to make my own Space Invaders game ( That was cool). The learning process took a couple of months. Yours will probably be less because you already know some basic programming.

You can't just jump levels. You have to learn each level individually.

Then you can move onto other higher coding. But with your level, I doubt you can do anything meaningful yet.

 

[Psychless]

By basics I meant everything up to Object Oriented. Do you know of a website that would help me get started with Windows forms?

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Originally posted by: Psychless
By basics I meant everything up to Object Oriented. Do you know of a website that would help me get started with Windows forms?

Definitely not enough. Object Oriented stuff was like Month 2 for me.

Though, you could technically learn everything from websites. But it's still too big a jump. In my opinion anyway.

 

[Psychless]

I appreciate your opinions but I really do not want to switch langauges. And I know I can't do anything meaningful at my level. I'm still looking for an answer more related to my original question.

Most of my knowledge on programming has come from books by the way.

What do you suggest I work on instead of Windows API?