What is the most "fun" and "interesting" procedure to learn C++?

This would be to learn it from the grounds up. Some one has mentioned learning to code a game using an existing framework but I found that to be an annoying experience as I was interested in the code of the framework of the game and coding the examples.





I found programming on the fly using IRC to be quite interesting but you would need to find people who are willing to participate (code a line at a time) each person contributing towards an application at real-time. This can lead to some very interesting coding debates about naming conventions etc.





So what do you think would be a interesting way to learn C++? (Books are dull though informative and probably the best way to learn. I am really looking for inspirational ideas).

What is the most "fun" and "interesting" procedure to learn C++?
I had to take it in college as a 2 course series and enjoyed it, even the book stuff. I took an artificial intelligence class, and we wrote a poker player for a c++ poker game. It was fun. I would have prefered to write the GAME/CARD c++ class, rather than a poker player... but the class was AI, not c++.
Reply:Write an application to practice what you want to learn. Start with something simple, like for example a poker game simulation ;) , then work your way up.
Reply:One of my first C++ programs was a single-columnar cipher. It didn't necessarily espouse the techniques of ad hoc or parametric programming but it was somewhat modular and compiled with g++ on linux. Keep in mind I was (and still am) transitioning from C.
Reply:I learned C++ in high school and what made it fun was writing prank software.





Examples of some of the stuff i wrote are a keylogger to access all the passwords of the users and administrators that used that machine, keyclicker which makes a computer beep when any key is pressed (really anoying and funny), and a couple others.





You can search google for "funny computer pranks" for simple software that'll piss people off.
Reply:Try writing programs for image manipulation (edge detection, colour transforms etc) This is the best way to get something tangible from your hard work and the effects are pretty interesting too. I did this using a webcam and applying effects to the live stream, i then bought another webcam and started doing experiments in stereo vision. I now have a robotic assimilation of stereo vision and object detection using a neural network...fun..fun..fun !!