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Questions and Answers

Q: Why do game companies use Cþþ?

A: Cþþ combines speed, low-level hardware access, and high-level constructs better than just about any other language. In addition, most game companies have a lot invested in Cþþ resources (both in reusable code and programmer experience).

Q: How is Cþþ different than C?

A: Cþþ is the next iteration of the C programming language. To gain accept- ance, Cþþ essentially retained all of C. However, Cþþ defines new ways to do things that can replace some of the traditional C mechanisms. In addition, Cþþ adds the ability to write object-oriented programs.

Questions and Answers 37


Q: How should I use comments?

A: To explain code that is unusual or unclear. You should not comment the obvious.

Q: Whats a programming block?

A: One or more statements surrounded by curly braces that form a single unit.

Q: Whats a compiler warning?

A: A message from your compiler stating a potential problem. A warning will not stop the compilation process.

Q: Can I ignore compiler warnings?

A: You can, but you shouldnt. You should address the warning and fix the offending code.

Q: What is whitespace?

A: A set of non-printing characters that create space in your source files, including tabs, spaces, and newlines.

Q: What are literals?

A: Elements that represent explicit values. "Game Over!" is a string literal, while

32 and 98.6 are numeric literals.

Q: Why should I always try to initialize a new variable with a value?

A: Because the contents of an uninitialized variable could be any valueeven one that doesnt make sense for your program.

Q: Why do programmers sometimes use variable names such as myInt or

myFloat?

A: To clearly spell out a variables type. This convention is used frequently in programming instruction.

Q: What are variables of type bool for?

A: They can represent a condition that is true or false, such as whether a chest is locked or a playing card is face up.

38 Chapter 1 n Types, Variables, and Standard I/O: Lost Fortune


Q: How did the bool type get its name?

A: The type is named in honor of the English mathematician George Boole. Q: Must the names of constants be in uppercase letters?

A: No. Using uppercase is just an accepted practicebut one you should use because its what other programmers expect.

Q: How can I store more than one character with a single variable? A: With a string object.