Python?
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Hello, I have been reserching and Decided that Python was a great language to learn to get started in the game industry.
But as I read on this site as well as others, I tend to find that with Python it seems only small scale things are possible, such as Tetris, Pong, Possibly Mario style games. Is this True?
And is learning a langauge such as Python that will have no use later in my career be useful? Or are some game companies and or indy game devoplers using Python in games/and or coding at all?
Thanks in advance =)
Learning any language is worthwhile for a beginner programmer. Python is good for this purpose because it is easy enough to use and still offers a wealth of functionality via the core language as well as its large class library.
You can create huge games and apps with Python, if you have time in your hands. As I see it, however, the toolkits for large-scale development in Python are not as refined as for "classic" languages such as c++ (but I could be wrong here, I primarily use the Microsoft .net stack of tools).
You can easily transfer the concepts such as object oriented programming and control flow to other languages later on, once you are experienced enough with the first language you choose. Language syntax may differ wildly, but syntax is the easy part.
You can create huge games and apps with Python, if you have time in your hands. As I see it, however, the toolkits for large-scale development in Python are not as refined as for "classic" languages such as c++ (but I could be wrong here, I primarily use the Microsoft .net stack of tools).
You can easily transfer the concepts such as object oriented programming and control flow to other languages later on, once you are experienced enough with the first language you choose. Language syntax may differ wildly, but syntax is the easy part.
Quote:Original post by zellpheoEVE Online was written using Stackless Python.
But as I read on this site as well as others, I tend to find that with Python it seems only small scale things are possible, such as Tetris, Pong, Possibly Mario style games. Is this True?
Disney's Toontown and Pirates of the Carribean Online were made with Panda3D, a Python engine.
Civilization IV made extensive use of Python as a scripting language.
If you look at the Quotes about Python page on the official website you'll see that YouTube, Industrial Light & Magic and Google are also users of the language.
Larger things are definitely possible.
Quote:And is learning a langauge such as Python that will have no use later in my career be useful?Firstly, learning any language is useful, and a good programmer will learn several or even many during their career.
Second, you could potentially end up using Python later in your career in the industry; it is sometimes used for games, sometimes used as a scripting language, and sometimes used for tools development, and is likely to see more rather than less usage over time.
For now you should focus on learning to program in any language, and Python is an excellent choice for that. You should even be able to make small games reasonably soon using libraries such as PyGame, Pyglet or Panda3D.
Hope that helps! [smile]
Quote:Original post by jbadams
For now you should focus on learning to program in any language, and Python is an excellent choice for that.
Yes. My first language was BASIC, followed by Pascal. Only after those 2 did I move onto C++. You're almost certainly going to learn more than one language in your programming career, so don't worry about getting the 'right' one first time. It's better to pick a language that is good for beginners, and Python is definitely one of those.
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Thank you all for the speedy/helpful Replies!
You guys have helped me get the little edge to continue programming with python instead of trying to jump right into C++, which I know I'm not ready for.
I did hear of a few games that used Python, But did noty realize that such large scale games/websites were using it as we speak.
One last question for all you helpful people out there =), After I have gotten failry confortable with using Python, Should I just jump right into C++? Or is there another langauge that would say benifiet me more in my programming career and possbily help with the learning of C++?
Thank again =)
[Edited by - zellpheo on March 31, 2010 12:50:59 PM]
You guys have helped me get the little edge to continue programming with python instead of trying to jump right into C++, which I know I'm not ready for.
I did hear of a few games that used Python, But did noty realize that such large scale games/websites were using it as we speak.
One last question for all you helpful people out there =), After I have gotten failry confortable with using Python, Should I just jump right into C++? Or is there another langauge that would say benifiet me more in my programming career and possbily help with the learning of C++?
Thank again =)
[Edited by - zellpheo on March 31, 2010 12:50:59 PM]
The hard part is not learning the language but to learn to solve problems. Python (and many other languages, like C#, Java, Visual Basic, hell, even PHP) are well suited to learn that skill. C++ is useful but - well learning it properly is time consuming. It's easy to make mistakes in C++, and in addition the language itself is governed by so many rules and special cases that it's a hair-pulling experience sometimes.
TLDR: C++ is not recommended for a beginner who prefers actual results over memorizing language rules and edge cases; though knowing it is definitely useful. YMMV.
TLDR: C++ is not recommended for a beginner who prefers actual results over memorizing language rules and edge cases; though knowing it is definitely useful. YMMV.
I recommend getting a decent IDE with some sort of lint. I use Eclipse and Pydev with decent results. Pydev won't catch all of your typing errors but it definitely helps avoid some annoying ones.
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Quote:Original post by Konfusius
The hard part is not learning the language but to learn to solve problems. Python (and many other languages, like C#, Java, Visual Basic, hell, even PHP) are well suited to learn that skill. C++ is useful but - well learning it properly is time consuming. It's easy to make mistakes in C++, and in addition the language itself is governed by so many rules and special cases that it's a hair-pulling experience sometimes.
TLDR: C++ is not recommended for a beginner who prefers actual results over memorizing language rules and edge cases; though knowing it is definitely useful. YMMV.
Thank you, So you are saying before I were to jump into C++ make sure I know how to solve problems, instead of just knowing how a langauge runs?
Quote:Original post by smr
I recommend getting a decent IDE with some sort of lint. I use Eclipse and Pydev with decent results. Pydev won't catch all of your typing errors but it definitely helps avoid some annoying ones.
Well, With my experiance so far I am just using Pythons IDE, and it seems to work fairly well, though it only catches the errors after I compile them.
Thanks again guys, But My question still arises, After I have gotten familiar with Python and learned to solve problems per say, should I go to C++ or learn another langauge?
Quote:Original post by zellpheoQuote:Original post by Konfusius
The hard part is not learning the language but to learn to solve problems. Python (and many other languages, like C#, Java, Visual Basic, hell, even PHP) are well suited to learn that skill. C++ is useful but - well learning it properly is time consuming. It's easy to make mistakes in C++, and in addition the language itself is governed by so many rules and special cases that it's a hair-pulling experience sometimes.
TLDR: C++ is not recommended for a beginner who prefers actual results over memorizing language rules and edge cases; though knowing it is definitely useful. YMMV.
Thank you, So you are saying before I were to jump into C++ make sure I know how to solve problems, instead of just knowing how a langauge runs?
Yeah, such as learning (but not limited to) to stick to something until it's done. To learn C++ thoroughly, a hard head is needed. Not neccessarily for thinking. ;)
Quote:Thanks again guys, But My question still arises, After I have gotten familiar with Python and learned to solve problems per say, should I go to C++ or learn another langauge?
It's entirely your decision. I can't tell now if you will be ready then. Ask again when you're there. ;)
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Quote:Original post by Konfusius
It's entirely your decision. I can't tell now if you will be ready then. Ask again when you're there. ;)
Great advice, and you are correct, I won't know me then until then has come, so the best thing to do is to just get down and dirty and get started, Here I come =)
Im sure ill be back soon to ask for help with Python, Seeing as you guys beside a few tutorials are my only recources.
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