Book Image

Beginning C++ Game Programming

Book Image

Beginning C++ Game Programming

Overview of this book

This book is all about offering you a fun introduction to the world of game programming, C++, and the OpenGL-powered SFML using three fun, fully-playable games. These games are an addictive frantic two-button tapper, a multi-level zombie survival shooter, and a split-screen multiplayer puzzle-platformer. We will start with the very basics of programming, such as variables, loops, and conditions and you will become more skillful with each game as you move through the key C++ topics, such as OOP (Object-Orientated Programming), C++ pointers, and an introduction to the Standard Template Library. While building these games, you will also learn exciting game programming concepts like particle effects, directional sound (spatialization), OpenGL programmable Shaders, spawning thousands of objects, and more.
Table of Contents (24 chapters)
Beginning C++ Game Programming
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewer
www.PacktPub.com
Dedication
Preface
17
Before you go...

Polymorphism


Polymorphism allows us to write code that is less dependent on the types we are trying to manipulate. This can make our code clearer and more efficient. Polymorphism means different forms. If the objects that we code can be more than one type of thing, then we can take advantage of this.

Note

What does polymorphism mean to us? Boiled down to its simplest definition, polymorphism is this: any sub-class can be used as part of the code that uses the super-class. This means we can write code that is simpler and easier to understand and also easier to modify or change. Also, we can write code for the super-class and rely on the fact that no matter how many times it is sub-classed, within certain parameters, the code will still work.

Let's discuss an example.

Suppose we want to use polymorphism to help write a zoo management game where we have to feed and tend to the needs of animals. We will probably want to have a function such as feed. We will also probably want to pass an instance...