Learn C++ for Game Development

If you’re new to C++ but understand some basic programming, then Learn C++ for Game Development lays the foundation for the C++ language and API that you’ll need to build game apps and applications.

Learn C++ for Game Development will show you how to:

• Master C++ features such as variables, pointers, flow controls, functions, I/O, classes, exceptions, templates, and the Standard Template Library (STL)
• Use design patterns to simplify your coding and make more powerful games
• Manage memory efficiently to get the most out of your creativity
• Load and save games using file I/O, so that your users are never disappointed

Most of today’s popular console and PC game platforms use C++ in their SDKs. Even the Android NDK and now the iOS SDK allow for C++; so C++ is growing in use for today’s mobile game apps. Game apps using C++ become much more robust, better looking, more dynamic, and better performing. After reading this book, you’ll have the skills to become a successful and profitable game app or applications developer in today’s increasingly competitive indie game marketplace.

The next stage is to take the foundation from this book and explore SDKs such as Android/Ouya, PlayStation, Wii, Nintendo DS, DirectX, Unity3D, and GameMaker Studio to make your career really take off.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Beginning C++
Part 1: Procedural Programming
Chapter 2: Writing a Guessing Game with C++ Types
Chapter 3: Creating Calculators with Operators
Chapter 4: Beginning C++ Game Development with Arrays
Chapter 5: Functions, the Building Blocks of C++
Chapter 6: Making Decisions with Flow Control
Chapter 7: Organizing Projects Using Files and Namespaces

Part 2: Object-Oriented Programming
Chapter 8: Object-Oriented Programming with Classes
Chapter 9: Controlling Data with Access Modifiers
Chapter 10: Building Games with Inheritance
Chapter 11: Designing Game Code with Polymorphism
Chapter 12: Copying and Assigning Data to Objects

Part 3: The STL
Chapter 13: The STL String Class
Chapter 14: STL Array and Vector
Chapter 15: STL List
Chapter 16: STL’s Associative Containers
Chapter 17: STL’s Stack and Queue
Chapter 18: STL’s bitset
Chapter 19: Using the STL in Text Adventure

Part 4: Generic Programming
Chapter 20: Template Programming
Chapter 21: Practical Template Programming

Part 5: C++ Game Programming
Chapter 22: Managing Memory for Game Developers
Chapter 23: Useful Design Patterns for Game Development
Chapter 24: Using File IO to Save and Load Games
Chapter 25: Speeding Up Games with Concurrent Programming
Chapter 26: Supporting Multiple Platforms in C++
Chapter 27: Wrapping Up