How do I know which header file I should use?

[spartanM19SSM]

How do I know which header file I should use?
I have seen programs with differant ones.
I am 13 years old so, please lend me a hand.

 

[Joe Mamma]

How do I know which header file I should use?
I have seen programs with differant ones.
I am 13 years old so, please lend me a hand.

Header files declare prototypes for specific sets of functions. A prototype is the signature for a given function, or the definition of what the function expects in order to correctly called.

stdio.h for example defines the prototypes for standard Input/output functions.

Usually when you are tring to do something and cant figure out the function call to make, you can do a search in the MSDN sdk help system and find some function that performs what you want to do. when you find the function documentation, you will find at the bottom of the page the name of the header file that contains the function prototype and the library with the function binary.

Good for you going for c++. some might steer you toward VB, but I would say that is a mistake. I might suggest, if you are extremely new to programming, perhaps starting with c# might be a little easier to tackle as you learn some core concepts such as i/o, flow control & program structure. Next you want to learn about data structures (including simple objects) and search/sort algorithms. After that, you want to venture into advanced Object Oriented topics such as polymorphism and interfaces. Lastly you will want to learn about event driven systems and user interface design peppered with a little research into operating systems, in general. Alot of people start backwards, tackling events and interface first and never learn the basics. Doing that you run the risk of developing some hard to break bad habits.

As you learn and create you tool-belt, dont overlook the benefits of documenting your own code. Nothing is worse than digging through some old code and trying to remember what it does. This is perhaps my morst habit!!!

remember - HAVE FUN, but be rigorous in your endevours.

cheers!

 

[spartanM19SSM]

Thanks

Thanks JoeMamma...(nice name)
I am currently learning pointers and graphics ect. in the book that I have...
(I bought Visual C++.NET for Dummies on Amazon )
I tried BASIC QBASIC and Visual Basic 6.0 for a while but someone said that C++ was the better way to go.

 

[Joe Mamma]

Thanks JoeMamma...(nice name)
I am currently learning pointers and graphics ect. in the book that I have...
(I bought Visual C++.NET for Dummies on Amazon )
I tried BASIC QBASIC and Visual Basic 6.0 for a while but someone said that C++ was the better way to go.

Check out used book stores for old college text books.
And remember, you are a student so you can by academic versions of everything.

I really recommend starting with Pascal/Delphi. While borland has a .NET version, their other versions are great for seeing how to really leverage windows. Delphi comes with all the source code with which delphi was created (there are some exceptions) and looking at that gave me real insight into everything from Algorithms to Data/Process-Modelling.

Delphi/Pascal is a fantastic language. The felexibility and strength of C++ (a few exceptions), the ease of use and legibility of VB.