Table of Contents

Part 1: Introductory Programming
Chapter 1: What Language Do I Use;
Chapter 2: Good Coding Practices;
Chapter 3: Using PDL for Code Design and Documentation;
Chapter 4: Debuggin in Visual Studio - Part 1;
Part 2: Graphics:
Chapter 5: Extended Graphical Templates for Sprite Management;
Chapter 6: Isometric and Hexagonal Maps
Chapter 7: Mouse Maps for Isometric Height Maps;
Chapter 8: Bezier Curves and Surfaces;
Chapter 9: Direct3D vs. OpenGL: Which API to Use When, Where, and Why;
Part 3: Scripting
Chapter 10: An Introcution to Lua;
Chapter 11: Introduction to GameMonkey Script;
Part 4: Networking
Chapter 12: The Internet, TCP/IP, and Socket Programming;
Chapter 13: Programming with Asynchronous Sockets;
Part 5: Algorithms
Chapter 14: Vectors and Matrices: A Primer;
Chapter 15: Collision Detection and Response;
Chapter 16: A* Pathfinding for Beginners;
Part 6: C++
Chapter 17: Organizing Code Files in C and C++;
Chapter 18: An Exceptional Quest;
Chapter 19: The One: A Singleton Discussion;
Part 7: Miscellaneous Topics
Chapter 20: Introduction to Pointers, Structures, and Linked Lists;
Chapter 21: Sound Formats and Their Uses in Games;
Chapter 22: Using XML Technologies for Enhancing Log Files;
Chapter 23: SQL in 60 Seconds;
Chapter 24: Item Management Systems;
Chapter 25: A Comparison of Browser and Widget Platforms;

About the Author

John Hattan has been working steadily in the casual game-space since the TRS-80 days and professionally since 1990. After seeing his small-format games turned down for what turned out to be Tandy's last PC release, he took them independent, eventually releasing them as several discount game-packs through a couple of publishers. The packs are actually still available on store-shelves, although you'll need a keen eye to find them nowadays.
He continues to work in the casual game-space as an independent developer, largely working on games in Flash for his website, The Code Zone (www.thecodezone.com). His current scheme is to distribute his games virally on various web-portals and widget platforms. In addition, John writes weekly product reviews and blogs (over ten years old) for www.gamedev.net from his home office where he lives with his wife and daughter in their home in the woods near Lake Grapevine in Texas.