I'm going to attempt to learn C++ (Again)

[Xtreme2damax]

Well I decided I want to give it another go, but need a bit of help.

Last time I tried I could never get the Microsoft DirectX or Platform SDK set up properly to work with Visual Studio Express Editions.

Everytime I tried to compile something (DX Applications) I would get errors complaining it could not find an include file most likely from the DirectX SDK.

Since I could never get the SDK's set up properly no matter what tutorial I read to work with Visual C# and Visual C++ Express Editions I just finally gave up since I wasn't able to compile anything.

Does anyone have a link to any proper tutorials on how to get the DirectX SDK and Platform SDK to work properly with the Visual C# and Visual C++ Express Editions?

Also where can I find beginners tutorials for dummies for C#, C++ and DirectX programming.

Thank You.

[refraction]

With the DX SDK etc its a bit of a pain, cos it doesnt do it all for you, all it does is install the files. when its installed, open VS, go to Tools->Options (i think thats right) then down to Projects and Solutions -> C++ Directories. you then have to go to the includes dropdown and add the "include" directory under the directx sdk folder, then do the same thing for the libraries. It should all then work.

Some open source programs can be a bit of a pain (ala GSDX) and require a lot of fiddling due to peoples different setups, so you may need to be a little patient

[Xtreme2damax]

Originally Posted by refraction

With the DX SDK etc its a bit of a pain, cos it doesnt do it all for you, all it does is install the files. when its installed, open VS, go to Tools->Options (i think thats right) then down to Projects and Solutions -> C++ Directories. you then have to go to the includes dropdown and add the "include" directory under the directx sdk folder, then do the same thing for the libraries. It should all then work.

Some open source programs can be a bit of a pain (ala GSDX) and require a lot of fiddling due to peoples different setups, so you may need to be a little patient

Yeah that's what I did last time I tried to set up the DX SDK, but Visual C++ Express still complained and spat errors out at me.

I'll give it a go again and see if I can get it to work, and you are right it is a pain since it's one of the main reasons that made me give up before.

I'll probably start out small with hello world type programs and move to more complicated stuff.

[refraction]

its possibly due to it being the express version, you are missing a lot of libs etc that might be required, which makes sense else you wouldnt need to buy the full version anymore

[Xtreme2damax]

Originally Posted by refraction

its possibly due to it being the express version, you are missing a lot of libs etc that might be required, which makes sense else you wouldnt need to buy the full version anymore

Yeah that is understandable but people have gotten it to work with the Visual C# and C++ Express Edition before but it take a little work.

If I had the money to waste on a full copy of Visual Studio I would get that instead but Microsoft Software is insanely expensive.

I heard Visual Studio runs about as expensive as a copy of Vista if not more so it is not exactly a viable option right now since I'm no longer working my job.

I tried to compile the code for GSDX9 just to test it since the code already compiles error free. These are the output/errors I get when I attempt to compile:

1>------ Build started: Project: gsdx9, Configuration: Debug Win32 ------
1>Compiling...
1>gsdx9.cpp
1>c:\documents and settings\***\my documents\visual studio 2005\projects\gsdx9\gsdx9\gsdx9.cpp(22) : fatal error C1083: Cannot open include file: 'stdafx.h': No such file or directory
1>Build log was saved at "file://c:\Documents and Settings\***\My Documents\Visual Studio 2005\Projects\gsdx9\gsdx9\Debug\BuildLog.htm"
1>gsdx9 - 1 error(s), 0 warning(s)
========== Build: 0 succeeded, 1 failed, 0 up-to-date, 0 skipped ==========

I get these or similar errors when I attempt to compile other DirectX applications as well.

[refraction]

hmm where did you get your gsdx9 from? the stdafx file is in the gsdx9 folder, ive got it here in my pcsx2 svn and gsdx svn folders..

[Xtreme2damax]

Originally Posted by refraction

hmm where did you get your gsdx9 from? the stdafx file is in the gsdx9 folder, ive got it here in my pcsx2 svn and gsdx svn folders..

That is probably the reason then, I copied some code that was linked from here on the GSDX SVN website.

I must of only been previewing a sample of the GSDX source.

Bah I must go get the actual files now, I apologize for being a bit n00bish. I'm not exactly intelligent when it comes to anything programming related so please forgive me.

Well I got the proper Gsdx9 source to fool around with now, but upon attempting to compile to see if everything is working properly I get a new error in the output console:

1>------ Build started: Project: GSdx, Configuration: Debug SSE2 Win32 ------
1>Performing Custom Build Step
1>'ml' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
1>operable program or batch file.
1>Project : error PRJ0019: A tool returned an error code from "Performing Custom Build Step"
1>Build log was saved at "file://d:\My Documents\My Downloads\gsdx9\gsdx\Win32\Debug SSE2\BuildLog.htm"
1>GSdx - 1 error(s), 0 warning(s)
========== Build: 0 succeeded, 1 failed, 0 up-to-date, 0 skipped ==========

Does Gsdx9 also rely on the Windows/Platform SDK?

[cottonvibes]

i've found the hardest thing about C++ programming isn't the actual programming language, but setting up the IDE and Compilers to work correctly.
they're overly complicated and problem prone.

getting Direct X SDKs to be recognized should be as easy as installing the sdk.
especially in Microsoft Visual Studio, since its made by the same company, but of course they have to make it hard on us noobs :/

[refraction]

the Custom build step thing is gabests fault with his dodgy paths if you look in the vc projects/debug folder, the dll will be in there.

[Xtreme2damax]

Originally Posted by refraction

the Custom build step thing is gabests fault with his dodgy paths if you look in the vc projects/debug folder, the dll will be in there.

I just checked and it's not so something must be wrong here. Man getting everything set up properly is a major pain in the butt.

I must be missing something or done something wrong again.

What does this part in bold mean from the output?

1>Performing Custom Build Step
1>'ml' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
1>operable program or batch file.
1>Project : error PRJ0019: A tool returned an error code from "Performing Custom Build Step"
1>Build log was saved at "file://d:\My Documents\My Downloads\gsdx9\gsdx\Win32\Release\BuildLog.htm"
1>GSdx - 1 error(s), 0 warning(s)
========== Build: 0 succeeded, 1 failed, 0 up-to-date, 0 skipped ==========

[refraction]

ah crap, thats a problem.... ml is the microsoft asm compiler jobby, its related to the ASM files that are included in the project as far as im aware

[Xtreme2damax]

Originally Posted by refraction

ah crap, thats a problem.... ml is the microsoft asm compiler jobby, its related to the ASM files that are included in the project as far as im aware

Is there a way to to compile it using VC++ Express or does that need the full Visual Studio version?

Is there any way I can find libraries and use it with Visual C++ Express that would be legal?

What should I do?

I am interested in compiling Gsdx because I'd like to fool around with it's source to see if I can work some magic or miracle.

I however don't have the money to purchase the full Visual Studio which is the main reason I'm using Visual Studio Express.

Would Visual Studio Express 2008 contain these features? Right now I'm only using Visual Studio Express 2005.

[Bubbafat]

Just "buy" a copy of it. joking obviously.
(dont ban me super moderaters)

Yeah, i may start AGAIN as i have a little more free time...

[blueshogun96]

Just learning C++? And then jumping strait into DirectX? I think you're biting off more than you can chew if it's so hard for you. I recommend taking these steps first:

1. Learn C++ to the best of your ability. Don't be embarrased to work on win32 DOS style console apps either. Every beginner goes through that.
2. Learn the basics of Win32/64 programming. Get comfortable with the Win32 APIs and such. Try adding things to your window such as menus, text entry spaces, buttons, combo boxes, tabs, dialog boxes etc. It will make learning DirectX much easier (as far as the Win32 related things go).
3. Instead of learning DirectX, try using OpenGL and OpenAL instead if you feel DirectX is too hard to learn. Setting it up and programming with it is easier and doesn't expose much of the 3D vector math required to use it. With DirectX you need to know about multiplying matrixes and stuff like that. It's a good idea to learn that, but I'm just trying to make things easier for you.

[cottonvibes]

well so far, it looks like hes just trying to compile GSdx

if he is trying to learn DX right away, i agree with you blueshogun96.
as a beginner myself, i'm still practicing some programs using the DOS console.
i havn't really found any good tutorials for DX yet though...
i want to start learning soon.

i mostly find source code for DX apps, but i can't find good tutorials that tell you what each line of code does.
i don't want to just type the code, and not know what it does :/

[SCHUMI-4-EVA]

By the way seeing as ur a major beginner (not that I am any better) you may want to buy yourself some Sams teach yourself series programming books like "Teach yourself C++ in 21 days" .

I have one for VB6 (I never get past chapter 4 though before something distracts me...so I can still only do hello world stuff) and I think it's great....although I guess the more experienced guys here may not like them I guess....anyways just thought I would tell you about them...

[cottonvibes]

the problem with books for me, is that they're usually boring.

like my Java book i got for university, spends the 500 pages talking about class BankAccount, and how to modify its functions.

it was boring as hell, so i barely read it.

but theres probably books out there that are more entertaining.
i've seen some that are like "learn game programming in C++"
that might be more interesting.

[SCHUMI-4-EVA]

Well that's what I like about Sams, they always have little projects and examples for you along the way, it's not just flatout theory.

[cottonvibes]

but you said so yourself that you never can get past ch.4 lol
so i'm assuming its pretty boring as well