Should I learn a simpler language before attempting C++?

Question

I have no formal programming training, other than learning BASIC on old 6500-based machines back in the day. I did however catch on fairly quickly, and was soon able to write simple games with graphics and sound (and a whopping 64K of memory).

I want to learn C++ to embed some GUIs in existing games like Flight Simulator, where I can click on certain spots of the aircraft and pop open some custom designed control panels. There would be a few switches on the panels that would produce simple responses when clicked on.

Would anyone recommend a simpler language before I dive in and try to teach myself C++ (given the right books)?

Answer 1

Python is an easy to learn gateway. It won't really help you in making games but it will teach you programming concepts. Once you atleast have a basic knowledge move on to c++. Other than syntax the differences are small.

Answer 2

I learned simpler language first, gained more experience and then jumped into C++.

If you directly jump into C++, even if you have good books, it will be a bit difficult because books can give ideas but you should build your own ideas if you really want to be good in programming.

If you have good concept in simpler language, you can easily understand C++ later.

Answer 3

Why not master the complex first? Some folks, like Linus Torvalds and Richard Stallman might advise you to use C instead of C++. But either way, if you master C or C++ you'll have such power at your fingertips.

Answer 4

Of course you should, just how simple would be right, hard, or too simple? C++ is a very old pragmatic language dealing types and heaps, while Java and C# will have you in comfort with types, heaps is a very old-school nasty business that BASIC got around with fatal penalty in performance and no self-respecting language in modern times don't not-getting-around with very minimal penalty in performance.



In short, there were no languages before or since to have similar theoretical property exhibited by C/C++