So I'd say im now at the point of almost ready to be considered an advanced-beginner(lol) in C and C++ programming. While I could still use some practice in both, I'd say I have a decent understanding of most of the important data structures and so forth in both languages. Now, I'd like to start easing my way into programming simple games and other applications. I also wouldn't mind knowing how to make simple cheat programs for single-player games(ie: wallhacks and other cool stuff, It would be used for nothing malicious, only in single player games, just my personal education. I'm not sure if I'm comparing apples and oranges, but what would you guys suggest I start trying to learn if I wanna make these simple 2d games and other programs. I've read many suggests here about getting into Direct x, but then on other forums I hear opengl is the way to go. So I wanna hear some more input, What are the differences between the two? Are they similar to programming languages where it really doesnt matter which one you choose, just a matter of personal preference? What are the advantages and disadvantages to both?


I also am somewhat confused about the portability of writing dx or opengl on unix machines and then using the program on a windows machine. I greatly prefer to do all my programming using a unix machine, but I plan to pretty much always use any program I create on my windows machine. Am I just better off just dealing with doing all my programming on Windows, simply for portability reasons? if anyone could clear it up or give me a place to read up about it Id appreciate it. Lastly, I'd like to eventually read into making GUI's, what does everyone here prefer(WinAPI the way to go?).

PHEW, thats alot of questions I know, but im a curious dude . So if any one of the questions catches your eye and you feel like answering, please do, I'd appreciate your input. Thanks.

If you have a good understanding of C++, ie how pointers, functions, loops, branching, arrays work you are off to a good start. Have a strong grasp of object-oriented programming would be a good idea but not necessary as games can be written well with just C. OOP will make creating your games easier if you use it.

You can think of the differences between OpenGL and DirectX like the difference between two programming languages. Programming languages have different syntax and different classes, in an object-oriented language, and functions. Each works different from the other. As a C++ looks different from a Java program an OpenGL game will look different from a DirectX game as they both have different ways accomplishing a task.

Okay, DirectX is Windows only as it is a Microsoft product. If you are using DirectX it leaves out any other platforms. OpenGL on the other hand will work, with few or no changes to your code, on Linux, Windows and Macs as well. So I would say if you would like to create a game that would work in both Windows and Linux OpenGL would be the way to go.