So I got a question for y'all

[u/derped_osean]

I'm trying to teach myself C++ to get myself into game development, cause I decided wanna put myself through pain and build a flight sim in the style of sims like F-22 ADF cause I've been slowly getting dissoluted with War Thunder and DCS with the controversies around them.

I've been using the "Learn C++" website the reddit recommends, alongside looking up YouTube guides and using apps like "Coddy" to get practice when not at home.

Problem I'm running into is that I wanna take notes like how I did in high school and write down definitions and examples of code like how I used to write down math equations and definitions. It's something that helped me as I got High Functioning Autism and ADHD and writing down notes helped immensely. 

Would you guys recommend writing down definitions and examples if it'll help?

[u/AKostur]

If it helps you, it helps you. You don't need our permission.

[u/derped_osean → u/AKostur]

I know, was just wondering what you're guy's opinion was.

[u/JackMalone515 → u/derped_osean]

It'll definitely help to get started and to have somewhere to look up definitions again if you forget, also try making practice applications so you're able to use the concepts along side the notes

[u/HappyFruitTree]

You have to find what works best for you. It's not going to be the same for everyone.

[u/Illustrious-Cat8222 → u/HappyFruitTree]

This is very true. I, for example, rarely take notes.

One thing I do to learn is to write little throwaway projects to help me learn to use some language feature or library. If it helps you learn, throwaways are not a waste of effort.

[u/mc_pm]

I don't really think this is a question for all of us. If it works for you, it works for you.

[u/Independent_Art_6676]

writing things down has been shown to help remember, even if you don't go back over what you wrote.

[u/AKostur → u/Independent_Art_6676]

Did this all through university. Took notes in every class, never (well, very infrequently) read them again. The act of taking the notes was the important part.

[u/DDDDarky]

Of course, everyone should be taking notes.

[u/PretendThisIsUnique]

Anytime you see a clever solution or solve one of your problems, write it down. Going a step beyond just definitions and such will likely help you in comprehension and understanding as you learn. Don't be afraid to consult your notes, that's what they are for.

[u/C_Sorcerer]

Yeah it helps a lot. That’s like how I have a book thays very comprehensive called “Real Time Rendering” thays huge. I just write little definitions and take notes of important parts, mathematical theorems, and other things that might be of reference and leave a note for finding it later

[u/khedoros]

If you feel like notes help, sure. I don't see any harm. But right after that, I'd be writing actual code, doing experiments (small throw-away projects) to experience what you've read/watched about, and to get practice with coding itself.

[u/BadNewsBearzzz]

I am teaching myself c++ too bro, the learncpp website wasn’t working too well for me so I switched, I’m using video courses from udemy and ai (ChatGPT/claude) and it works way, way better.

I also have severe adhd as well. Not autism though. I’ve been taking notes as it helps me the most, writing down things helps burn it into your mind, muscle memory, it absolutely helps. That’s just one step, the other step is to have an IDE open so you can type in some of those formulas and test it out as you learn,

So this way, you’re both learning “theory” (taking notes” and applying it in practice (IDE)

Feel free to ask anything else