New to Programming
Hello everyone,
I've recently decided to take up programming, specifically game programming. I had a few classes a couple years ago in highschool and decided I'd like to get back into it. I have a few questions first.
I've decided to start with C++ since it seems to be the most popular for game programming. (Worked with Java and Visual Basic in highschool) Is this a language to seriously start with?
If so, I've been looking at a few books to start with but I'd like some of your thoughts. Should I start with books specifically for game design or should I start with a book such as say C++ Primer and go from there?
If not, what language would you suggest?
Thanks
-Mike
If you are just learning the language don't start with a game programming book. Most of those books think that you will know C++ well enough to just jump right in. I would get a primer or beginner book that covers the basics of the whole language set. That way you can have a good understanding of everything before moving onto graphics. Python and Java are pretty good languages too for beginners. You could always try them all and see what one you think is the best. Most of the basic programming concepts carry over to each language.
Hey bud,
I would start with C to begin with. There is a good beginners book by Tony Royce and also the ANSI C Second edition by Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie, it's the C bible.
Once you have gotten strong at C i recommend picking up any 1 of a number of Sams C++ books.
Hope that helps,
Dave
I would start with C to begin with. There is a good beginners book by Tony Royce and also the ANSI C Second edition by Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie, it's the C bible.
Once you have gotten strong at C i recommend picking up any 1 of a number of Sams C++ books.
Hope that helps,
Dave
Welcome to the forums!!! I am a fairly new game programmer and I have asked basically the same question as you. The most popular answer is a c-type language. I am going to be learning C# or C++ (probably C#, It is supposed to be easier) Another thing you need to consider is whether or not you will be trying to get a job in game programming. If you are going to try for that you will basically need to learn C/C++. Otherwise whatever is easiest for you. Though most ppl onm this forum use C++. C++ also has a bunch of good libraries.
I don't agree with Dave you should learn C++ from the beginning to get good OOP habits.
On the topic of books get a primer or absolute biginner type book I made the mistake of buying a game programming book, it was way too advanced even though it said beginner.
Good Luck!
--BlackViper91--
I don't agree with Dave you should learn C++ from the beginning to get good OOP habits.
On the topic of books get a primer or absolute biginner type book I made the mistake of buying a game programming book, it was way too advanced even though it said beginner.
Good Luck!
--BlackViper91--
If you are going to be a successful programmer you are going to have to be able to pick up absolutley any language at any time.
Dave
Dave
Awesome guys, thanks for the fast replys.
A couple years ago it was my dream job to work in the gaming industry, however those dreams were crushed because I sucked so bad at math. I recently learned how much easier math was if I learned it myself rather than being taught it, strangely enough the concepts seem much easier. For now though, i'll just program on the side, as a hobby. If I end up sticking with it long enough then I may get a degree in computer science. I tend to have a habit of giving up on things too quickly, this is usually because I try to tackle too many things at once, ie: learning say C++, Photoshop, 3DS Max all at once.
I'm a big fan of art, but I can't draw at all, or maybe I just havn't put enough time into it. Eventually I want to learn 3D modeling as well but I'm guessing you guys would not recommend trying to learning both than and programming at once?
Also I have Microsoft Visual Studio and Borland C++ is either one better or does it not matter?
-Mike
A couple years ago it was my dream job to work in the gaming industry, however those dreams were crushed because I sucked so bad at math. I recently learned how much easier math was if I learned it myself rather than being taught it, strangely enough the concepts seem much easier. For now though, i'll just program on the side, as a hobby. If I end up sticking with it long enough then I may get a degree in computer science. I tend to have a habit of giving up on things too quickly, this is usually because I try to tackle too many things at once, ie: learning say C++, Photoshop, 3DS Max all at once.
I'm a big fan of art, but I can't draw at all, or maybe I just havn't put enough time into it. Eventually I want to learn 3D modeling as well but I'm guessing you guys would not recommend trying to learning both than and programming at once?
Also I have Microsoft Visual Studio and Borland C++ is either one better or does it not matter?
-Mike
Quote:Original post by Dave
If you are going to be a successful programmer you are going to have to be able to pick up absolutley any language at any time.
Yes, but why C? Half the threads here are the result of C's lack of type safety and it's relience on low-level pointer ho-ha. He's already use VB and Java whihc are OO, why would you suggest a out-dated procedural language?
Quote:Original post by Zex903
I'm a big fan of art, but I can't draw at all, or maybe I just havn't put enough time into it. Eventually I want to learn 3D modeling as well but I'm guessing you guys would not recommend trying to learning both than and programming at once?
Sadly jumping into the 3D deep end, drowns most newbies. Stick to making console apps and learning the language at first. Then when you feel you've "mastered" that go on the 2D. After that if you want, go on to 3D. Although 3D modeling and 3D programming are two very different things. Just because you can model, doesn't mean a 3D game is just going to appear out of nowhere. Also remember that just being 3D doesn't make a good game, there are plenty of fun 2D games.
Quote:Original post by Zex903
Also I have Microsoft Visual Studio and Borland C++ is either one better or does it not matter?
I've never been a really big fan of Borland so I'd go with VC. Plus any windows C++ library is basically guaranteed to work with VC.
But what version of VC do you have? If you have version 6 or older, you should consider upgrading since it's not standards compliant or compatible with the more recent libraries. Should you need to upgrade, just Google "Visual C++ Express".
Quote:Original post by ScetQuote:Original post by Dave
If you are going to be a successful programmer you are going to have to be able to pick up absolutley any language at any time.
Yes, but why C? Half the threads here are the result of C's lack of type safety and it's relience on low-level pointer ho-ha. He's already use VB and Java whihc are OO, why would you suggest a out-dated procedural language?
Unfortunately C is still widely used in the industry, which is probably what he was getting at.
As far as game programming, there's not alot of languages that you can't program in games in; you can even do it in Lisp, Delphi, or Python. So pick up a book or tutorial on game programming and just do it [smile]
C++ is the industry's most used language for game programming, but since you'll be doing some CS or SE soon, you might as well tinker with 4 or 5 languages just to get a feel of what's out there and increase your skill. Most likely, you'll not only be using C++ in your programming career.
C++ is the industry's most used language for game programming, but since you'll be doing some CS or SE soon, you might as well tinker with 4 or 5 languages just to get a feel of what's out there and increase your skill. Most likely, you'll not only be using C++ in your programming career.
Quote:Original post by Scet
He's already use VB and Java whihc are OO, why would you suggest a out-dated procedural language?
C is good for learning the workings of the hardware. C (and C++) is and will be the basis for many important, successful software products:
C won't be obsolete for the near future, though it's been partly replaced by C++ and other languages.
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