FIT2049 - Games programming using C++

Leader: Kieran Love

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will further develop object-oriented programming skills, and introduce the C++ language to students. Streams, pointers and arrays, classes, inheritance & polymorphism, templates and the STL, along with the I/O class hierarchy will be discussed at length. Interactive programming techniques will be used to solve various programming exercises. This unit will build upon previous programming skills, and provide a strong grounding for further study in this area, especially related to games engine development. The unit will examine game creation using C++ and Microsoft Windows DirectX.

Objectives

Knowledge and Understanding:

1. An understanding of the history and concepts of the C++ language;
2. An understanding of how C++ relates to other commercial languages, especially Java;
3. An understanding of the features and capabilities of C++, (comprising Streams, Pointers and arrays, Classes, inheritance and polymorphism, Templates and the STL, The I/O class hierarchy);
4. An understanding of the possible solutions/approaches when using C++ for interactive programming;
5. An understanding of Microsoft DirectX (2D and 3D) and the role of the Windows API in game development.

1. Enthusiasm for interactive programming;
2. Motivation to develop further programming skills;
3. The confidence to understand and explain existing C++ code.

1. Skills in adapting Java code to C++;
2. The ability to design, develop and debug software applications written in C++, with a focus on interaction;
3. Skills in manipulating music and sound effects within a game via C++;
4. Create a 3Dd interactive environment, using C++, that displays the techniques learnt during the unit.

Assessment

Two assignments (40%), Examination (60%)

Contact hours

4 x contact hrs/week (comprising one x 2 hr lecture/week and one x 2 hr laboratory/week).

Prerequisites

FIT1007 and FIT2048

Prohibitions

MMS2804