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[Help] Advices for SDL Programming

Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 5:46 pm
by heisenberg
Hi everyone,

I started learning SDL library (few weeks for now :| ) and i feel like i'm just copying source codes, i read "Focus On SDL" book and i wanted to make the Framework given in it or maybe a clone but i'm just copying it. I don't know if it's a good method to learn, but i feel like i'm learning s**t :lol:

So please, can you give me some advices on the methodology and how can i improve my SDL programming skills ?

Thank you in advance.

Re: [Help] Advices for SDL Programming

Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 5:59 pm
by dandymcgee
Use it more. The same way you learn anything. The more experience you have in a given domain (SDL), the better you will be at solving problems in the context of that domain.

Come up with a project you think would be both fun and obtainable within a reasonably short amount of time. Then jump right in and start writing it, researching as necessary when you get stuck along the way.

Re: [Help] Advices for SDL Programming

Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 6:39 pm
by Tim Wilson
As said above, make things. Start working on a project, and every time you run into a problem, or don't understand how something is working, figure it out by looking around online, in books, etc.

Good luck with SDL!

Re: [Help] Advices for SDL Programming

Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 1:08 pm
by Falco Girgis
Sounds like you need a good dose of creativity in your development...

Focus on SDL is a tiny book that really only covers the basics. If you plan to create something requiring more than the most basic functionality of SDL, you really will have to apply the basic knowledge from the book and go out on your own. You can't really copy + paste at that point.

Don't make tech demos. Don't aspire to move sprites around the screen. Try making an actual little game that will require you to write your own code and grasp the concepts you have read about.

Re: [Help] Advices for SDL Programming

Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 3:10 pm
by heisenberg
Thank you to everyone, i'm trying this days to code a little Sudoku game.
Falco Girgis wrote:Sounds like you need a good dose of creativity in your development...
maybe it's true :lol: because i don't really know how to structure things, and how to implement functions, so let's stop talking and go back to work like i said i'm working on a Sudoku game and i want to write a Framework.

Thank you again for your answer.

Re: [Help] Advices for SDL Programming

Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 9:52 am
by Falco Girgis
Is it bad that when I saw your username, I immediately thought of meth-dealing Walter White from Breaking Bad, not the scientist? :mrgreen:

Re: [Help] Advices for SDL Programming

Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 2:18 pm
by heisenberg
Acctualy! I thought about the scientist but when i was searching for an avatar i got as result the meth-dealer White Walter. :mrgreen: But i took the scientist's picture, i think it's better. :p