Volunteer C++ ?

[jubei]

Hi

I have just started out learning to program and have read through several introductory C++ books (sams teach yourself cpp in 21 days etc). I am more than familiar with all the basics, having also learned introductory Java(only console apps) and Borland Delphi (for apps with guis).

I have read on this forum before that it would be a good idea to help on an open source project in order to get some experience. I have looked around on source-forge and other sites but found it difficult to find a project where my untested skills would be able to make a contribution.

Does anyone have a C++ project I could volunteer on (maybe 15-20 hours a week) or could suggest a way to find a project I could contribute to?

I would even be willing to learn a new language combination like PHP/MySQL and contribute on a project. I am just keen to see what its like actually working on something other than me just learning by messing around in an IDE following a textbook.

 

[CrazYmonkeY159]

Make your own project? its always better to have some expirience than none.

make sure you know how to use everything from pointers to the STL.

if you would like to try your hand at making a C++ Gui App, Use the Qt Framework for the GUI, you need not even use the Qt Framework for your main under the hood stuff.

I myself have just recently finished my own side project which also uses google maps all done in c++ and mysql to hold co-ordinates. just play around, unless your main objective is to actually contribute to an opensource project then i cant help u soz

 

[stevenv]

Don't know how easy it would be to find a C++ specifically but I would suggest asking everyone you know if they want some project developed at zero cost to them e.g. you have a friend who has their own business and wants a web presence or your uncle's company needs some bespoke software for managing orders and deliveries. You want to get one of these, do them for free (big bonus to attract potential projects) and gain all the experience and have something to show prospective employers and/or other clients.

 

[jubei]

good suggestion stevenv! gonna go bug some family members tonight

CrazYmonkeY159 - read up about Qt, has just above everything I like so far: open-source, cross-platform. Definitely going to try include learning this somewhere. You could say my main objective is to contribute on a open-source project - know any? need help with yours? maybe you need something mundane done and I could write it for you? What environment are you using for C++ atm, linux?Code::Blocks? I am particulary interested in open-source stuff so not that interested in .net etc. whats your inclination?

 

[sn3rd]

The Linux kernel could always use more developers

 

[CrazYmonkeY159]

@jubei - I am a giant Qt fan, but its always best to learn the barebone programming language before jumping into a framework (IMHO)

I use Qt for many of my varsity projects while the masses tend to go for VB C++ (in my class anyways)

 

[twicode]

Objective C for the iPhone, iPad? You can use an emulator so don't have to own one.

 

[jubei]

mobile

@twicode

besides the google approach, you have any notable good references/books/links to get me started with objective-C and iPhone? I have many friends with iPhone and wouldn't mind working on emulator - and would definitely fill my want for something more practical.

what is the trends for programming apps on mobile platforms? Im asking because i've thought it may be fun to learn some programming for mobile OS's, but dont have a clue where to start. I've read the syntax in Objective-C is very different to C++, while still being a strict superset of C++. The question is do I delve back into Java? or what other languages are dominant on mobile OS's ? I know there are alot of different phones and OS's but if you have any comment it would be appreciated.

 

[jubei]

@sn3rd

i've thought about this, but i think it may be a tad advance for what i know. I am busy studying compsci through UNISA so maybe one day I will contribute something. After working on windows for most of my life, about 3 months ago I installed ubuntu desktop and have not looked back since

I do wish I knew a little more about linux so I could put to use the knowledge of C++ I have. AFAIK the linux kernal was written in C - which, syntactically at least, is very similar?

 

[sn3rd]

@sn3rd

i've thought about this, but i think it may be a tad advance for what i know. I am busy studying compsci through UNISA so maybe one day I will contribute something. After working on windows for most of my life, about 3 months ago I installed ubuntu desktop and have not looked back since

I do wish I knew a little more about linux so I could put to use the knowledge of C++ I have. AFAIK the linux kernal was written in C - which, syntactically at least, is very similar?

The Linux kernel would be a good place to learn. However it's not like other projects where you would take something through to completion; the Linux kernel is an ongoing thing. Any code you manage to get through to the final stage will likely disappear after a number of years (replaced by other code). Still, it's a good way to learn how Linux works, and it's a good place to cut your teeth on real programming.

On the topic of mobile apps; there's a lot of hype at the moment about Android dev. And it's dead easy, so you might consider that.

 

[CrazYmonkeY159]

@sn3rd

i've thought about this, but i think it may be a tad advance for what i know. I am busy studying compsci through UNISA so maybe one day I will contribute something. After working on windows for most of my life, about 3 months ago I installed ubuntu desktop and have not looked back since

I do wish I knew a little more about linux so I could put to use the knowledge of C++ I have. AFAIK the linux kernal was written in C - which, syntactically at least, is very similar?

Yes C++ was designed so that it would be backwards compatible with ANSI C, C++ is sort of built ontop of C, with added functionality like OO and STL (to name a few)

in terms of syntax you can think of C as a the godfather of C++/Java/C# as they are very similar