Been meaning to write a topic about this for a long time, I've recently discovered I have dyscalculia, I've always had problems with maths, huge problems, so it was a bit of a no brainer to get tested for it. I've had problems with multiplication, division makes me die on the inside, and even addition/taking away can get tricky for me, so you can imagine if I can't even get the basics down, what the hell am I going to do when things get complicated?

Well truth is, I didn't even get put into class for those because the teachers would assume I was lazy, I never new about dyscalculia while I was at school so I didn't think anything was wrong, and just thought I was an idiot and so I acted like an idiot.

Anyway, so you're probably asking yourself why the hell would anyone with such problems would even consider game programming? Well simply put, I've always wanted to make my own games, I've got so many ideas for games and would love to be able to implement them and experiment with them.

So on to my reason for posting, a while back I tried to teach myself programming, I was trying to learn C++, but then moved onto C# both of which I had trouble wrapping my head around and eventually just gave up on (I should point out this was before I found out about dyscalculia), is there anyone here who has had similar problems in the past but was able to overcome it so to speak? Or any languages you'd suggest to sort of ease me into it all?

Or should I just give up all together and become an escort?

Thank you in advance!

Dont think about that issue. Just keep studying and trying, keep going, dont give up. I've know people with that problem that made it, and you can too. Its hard to get your brain used to programming in the beginning, so dont think in a way such as "oh, I will never be able to understand this". Sometimes I think to myself "shit, Im never going to be able to solve this" then I go out for a walk, come back and solve it.

This is the world of programming. Dont worry, just keep trying, dont be lazy, study hard, practise, write code, keep learning, reading, and dont stop writing code, and you will make it.

On 10/4/2011 at 10:20 AM, Oxymoron28 said:

...I've always wanted to make my own games, I've got so many ideas for games...

No need to become a programmer to develop game ideas. Why not focus on your creative talents instead?

On 10/4/2011 at 10:20 AM, Oxymoron28 said:

Or should I just give up all together and become an escort?

Hey, don't sell that idea short. ;^)

Dont think about that issue. Just keep studying and trying, keep going, dont give up. I've know people with that problem that made it, and you can too. Its hard to get your brain used to programming in the beginning, so dont think in a way such as "oh, I will never be able to understand this". Sometimes I think to myself "shit, Im never going to be able to solve this" then I go out for a walk, come back and solve it.

This is the world of programming. Dont worry, just keep trying, dont be lazy, study hard, practise, write code, keep learning, reading, and dont stop writing code, and you will make it.

Yeah, I think my "give it up" attitude primarily comes from having teachers that excluded me without bothering to investigate why I was the way I was, the only reason I found out about it was because I had an amazing teacher at college.

[quote name='Oxymoron28' timestamp='1317748853' post='4869042']
... I've always wanted to make my own games, I've got so many ideas for games...

No need to become a programer to develop game ideas. Why not focus on your creative talents instead?
I was considering that, but I've found it's difficult to find people who'll program for you. Probably been looking in all the wrong places though .

Or should I just give up all together and become an escort?

Hey, don't sell that idea short. ;^)
[/quote]
True, I'm going to need money for a new computer!

I have mild dyscalculia. I have to be extra careful when transcribing formulas into code and things like that, but as far as programming itself goes, it's never a problem. Different regions of the brain, I guess.

Well that's reassuring! Thanks!

Any advice on languages to consider?

Python is pretty nifty.

I've been looking into Python and have found Jython, as I am interested in making games for android phones, would this be better for me to try, or just Java?

so you can imagine if I can't even get the basics down, what the hell am I going to do when things get complicated?

I goof up all the time too. Thing is I'm too stubborn to know when to stop. And with compilers these days having all this nifty syntax hilighting and stuff, when my fingers write words backwards or I forget things, it shows up real fast.

If genius is one percent inspiration and ninety nine percent perspiration, optimise your ability to supply the perspiration - the profiler says the rest isn't worth the trouble.

I am not familiar with the disease, so if is more crippling than I am seeing it, I apologize.

I started programming about two years ago, after being out of high school and away from math (which I never shined in) for almost 15 years. For a lot of programmers around me, it seems like math is a reflex while I have to walk through it all step by step. It can slow you down, sure, but approaching code as problem/puzzle solving and just putting the time in has served me just fine.

And, if you read these forums at all frequently, knowing Apoch has it should be inspiration, because that guy comes off like a guru in these parts.

Discalculia is poorly known but it seems to be getting more publicity lately (although still not much). But now that you've identified an obstacle, there must be some techniques for overcoming it; otherwise it just becomes an excuse.

And Python isn't a bad first programming language. I'm unfamiliar with Jython. Java isn't as difficult as C++ for a beginning language, but I haven't seen it recommended as a first language.