Quote:I was thinking of starting small by making my own web based strategy game (for those familiar I'm thinking of something like Utopia or Archmage.)

At first I looked for reviews on books on C++ just because I heard it was a popular programming language, so I figured it could do the job. Recently though, I have read that perhaps C# or ASP.net might be better for a web based game.

C++ would be the wrong way to go for a web based game IMHO (you could do it but it'd be really rough for a newbie). You'll want to have some dynamic web pages and something running on the server to process request. This is what .asp/.net .jsp/java .php/cgi are built for. However, the learning curve for coding web services (which is what we're talking about here) can be very steep; ie there's alot to know and setting up a developement environment can be very erm... intricate to say the least.

Have checked this link? It might be a good idea to start with tetris or something as is often recommended (for good reason...) Good luck!

A web based game might be too hard for you at first, especially using C++ (like the above poster pointed out). It would be good to learn C++ though, as it is a very widly supported and used language. Start with something simple. As for books I am not sure. I used Andre Lamoth's Windows Game Programming for Dummies, but that book is obsolete by now.

I think Python, Java, C# or C++ are all fine languages to learn -- all of them a step up from FORTRAN for sure :-)

When it comes to web applications, though, C++ really isn't the best language. In fact, for a pure web application, I might look into a page-embedded language like PHP, or, if you're masochistically inclined, Perl.

No matter what you pick, you won't be going wrong -- programming is more about a mindset, than specific languages.

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programming is more about a mindset, than specific languages

I think this statement deserves a little more attention. I started programming in QBasic, where I learned the very basic concepts of programming. Variables, functions, loops, etc. This made learning C a little easier then it would have been had I just jumped in. Naturally, knowing C made C++ easier.

Once the basic concepts of Object Oreinted Programming finally began to sink in, I found it easier to learn other languages. I learned enough PHP to make a few quick web pages in a couple of days, where as I struggled with C for a couple months.

Once you learn to program, learning a new language is trivial. I recommend starting out with C++, as most books on C++ start out with basic C stuff anyway. It seems that a lot of languages borrow from C++, or at least they work and look pretty much the same.

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For C++ I'd go with Beginning Visual C++ 6 by Ivor Horton

I own this book as well, and it has been an invaluable resource. The only problem I have with it is the Visual C++ stuff. I was lucky enough to have a trial version of Visual C++ I got with some "All-in-one game programming kit" I bought when I first got into programming.

But the trial wouldn't let me make an executable, so I had to go find a free compiler. I now use MinGW Studio. It has a look and feel similiar to Visual C++, but it does not support MFC. Check it out and see what you think.

Also, right now you are looking at one of the best resources for programming you can get your hands on. The majority of people here are exremely helpful. They have provided answers to questions I could not find anywhere else.

Anyway, that is my two cents. Best of luck to you.

[Edited by - mrtie_dye on June 10, 2005 2:44:26 AM]

Quote:Original post by Deadseed
What about Python? My girlfriend's dad, who is a professional programmer, but not a game programmer, suggested I learn C, C++ or Python.

Ok... Here is the deal. You probably would not want to use C++ for a web based game. You would spend a lot of time writing text processing code. For that you will want to probably look at Python (with CGI), PHP, Perl (with CGI), or ASP. And I would say in that order.

Python is a decent language (although I have my issues with it), and it can teach you some sound programming concepts. C, C++, and C# are three different languages, although they are simular, do not fool your self into thinking they are the same, or really all that simular. If I had to pick one I would pick C++. Now C++ is much more complicated than C or C#, but that is because it is more powerful as well.

As for book/web site reccommendations here you go:

Python - diveintopython.org
Nice book on python. Covers basics and some more advanced features of python and programming. It is example driven, so if you want to grasp it, do the examples.

Python - python.org
The main python site. Has a tutorial.

C++ - The C++ Programming Language (SE) by Bjarne Stroustrup
This book teachs C++ from the begining as it's own language without relying on C background as it should be taught. Stroustrup is the father of C++ and teaches it well. It is a bit advanced and fast moving, but it is well written and you come away from it with a good solid view of what is there. Highly reccommended.

Compilers:
For programming I use the vim text editor, and gnu gcc/g++ as my compiler. I also use a tool called scons for managing projects and monotone for version control. All of these tools are available on both windows and linux. You probably don't know what a lot of that is, but do some research.

Vim has some what of a learning curve, but likc C++, once you get it, it become a very powerful text editor. Vim seems kind of stupid at first, but it is very very powerful, and capable of most/more features that modern IDE's like VC++.net have. Things like syntax highlighting, indenting, and indexing. Complier integration, and things like that. Don't be fooled by it's simple appearence. It is very very powerful.

You would probably be more comfortable in some kind of IDE like dev-c++ at first though (which is what I started in). Ok, I have said enough. I could go on about web programming resources, but google needs to stay in business. Start small and work your way up, your 1000 mile journey begins with one step. Good luck.