Building a basketball coaching application in C++

[ponjavic]

For a few years now I have, for my own amusement, been creating small games in order to learn how to program.
Now that we, in our school, have to make some kind of mandatory project I felt like my only choice could be one in programming.
My basketball coach mentioned the need for some kind of planning application as the ones on the market aren't sufficient.

I have about 7 months to do this, what I need is advice on how to make some parts of the program.

First of all, what compiler should be used for straightforward WINDOWS software engineering? The one I'm most confident with right now is dev-cpp but I really doubt it will suffice. I have access to microsoft visual c++ 6 and it should be the most compatible (providing workarounds for interaction) i hope.
What do you recommend?

I'm wondering a lot of what filed the finished program should consist of. As of now I am used to an executable + images and that's basically it, certainly this shouldn't suffice for a (possibly) a licensed program, if it outranks the other programs on the market.

This is what the finished program should do:
There should be some kind of database with a list of all the players, there ranking/stats age telephone number and so on.
How should this be displayed? If it's an ordinary list, how do I create one easily?

One should be able to create different kind of practices consisting of different (pre-created) excercices. These practices would then be set up in some kind of schedual.
How do I get current dates and such, and how should this be shown/handled?

Hopefully I have time left for the optional part which is the playcreator. Different plays should be created and then be playable (think flash with squares and circles). How should this be created/handled and so on.

My coach wants to be able to attach videos to each of the plays/exercices which we have made during practice. Hopefully windows provides an easy way of integrating a player into a program, if so then how?

I'll add on more stuff to this, It's not like I want anyone to make the program for me I just want to learn about popular workaround, so if you have any comment or ideas for the program or how any of these problems can be solved feel free to post away...

//Aleks Ponjavic

 

[wais]

Wow, it sounds like you have a great project in mind! Creating a basketball software for coaches is definitely a unique and useful idea. As for your questions, here are some suggestions and recommendations:

1. Compiler: It's always best to use the most updated and compatible compiler for your project. In this case, I would recommend using Microsoft Visual C++. It's a widely used and reliable compiler for Windows software engineering.

2. File Structure: For a more professional and organized approach, I would suggest creating a file structure that includes not just the executable and images, but also folders for different types of files such as code, resources, and documentation. This will make it easier for you to manage and update your project in the long run.

3. Database: To create a database for your players, you can use a database management system like MySQL or Microsoft Access. These systems will allow you to create tables, add data, and display information in a structured manner. You can also use SQL queries to retrieve specific data, such as player stats or rankings.

4. Practice Planner: To create a schedule for practices, you can use a calendar control in your software. This will allow you to select and display specific dates and times for practices. As for the pre-created exercises, you can store them in a separate folder and use a list view control to display them in your program.

5. Play Creator: For the optional part of your project, you can use a graphics library like OpenGL or DirectX to create a visual representation of the plays. You can also use a drag and drop feature to make it easier for coaches to create and customize their own plays.

6. Video Integration: Windows does provide an easy way to integrate a media player into your program. You can use the Windows Media Player control to play videos within your software. You can also use the Windows Media Format SDK to customize the playback and add additional features.

Overall, I think you have a great start and a clear vision for your project. Just make sure to research and utilize the appropriate tools and resources to make your software user-friendly and efficient. Good luck with your project!