Pretty much any computer will do. I don't think you are at the point of worrying about testing out different hardware implementations, just get something with a good processor and a dedicated GPU.

That and on your initial question, don't underestimate the power of books. They were written by experts, they go in detail and there's a book for pretty much any subject that might interest you. I'm even sure that you could fill a form at your local library so they can purchase any book you might desire.

Since I think you will be learning first-hand on your own I highly reccomend getting one from the http://shop.oreilly....s/head-first.do, they come with a lot of illustrations and make the reader participate in every chapter. This will help you from getting discouraged.


I'm warning you right now though, there's no way you are writing a skyrim-style RPG with no programming experience. Even in the best conditions a senior programmer who has worked in the industry would never be able to write a game of that size and caliber alone. You need to understand these type of games take years of development by teams of people who have studied in these fields. It also takes a lot of different skills, animation, drawing, project management, writers... programmers are just one of them.

Hey Dumbledore. Im 14 also and Im very interested in programming myself and right now Im programming in C++. Ive programmed a guessing game, a memory game, and a tic-tac-toe game.

Ive been doing this for less than one week.

I dont have any experience writing with code of this calibur at all, yet, Im getting by. Do you know why this is? Here I will tell you:

At the beginning of last year I got a graphing calculator with programming capabilities. Im sure you know which one Im talking about, ey? A Ti-84 plus Silver Edition. The type of programming capabilities it has is called linear programming and throughout the whole last year, I was programming on it from a simple quadratic formula solver to a mini terrain generator to a full on rpg game with coin, experience, battling, level up system, and shop.

Now, I had gotten tired of the very little things I could do on it. I had reached the point where I had done every possible program the little calculator could handle.

I then heard of an 'object-oriented' programming language named 'C++'. I couldnt wait to get started!!! Then I realized something.... Ive never tried to learn or manipulate a computer with a programming language of this magnitude. I didnt know if it was possible for a 14 year old to do this kind of thing but I tried it out anyways.

I found it was quite easy!!!!!!

But for one reason only....... I could relate almost all of the basic material in C++ to my little, linear programming, calculator and everything was making sense!

Im sure that no matter what language you want to end up with, if you start with a very basic language and learn it completely you can carry your skills over to any language you want, without worry!!

The key thing is start small!!! Maybe not as small as a quadratic formula solver(although it could be great practice and couldnt hurt ;) but start with something that 'clicks' for you!! The second key thing is that programming should 'click' for you. If it doesnt then you must be not as into it as you think.....

This might seem a little harsh, but thats half of it. Its the 'harsh truth'. Check yourself for the 'click' and start small! I didnt really gove you advice as to what language to start off with or all tht other talk, but trust me, I gave you the foundation of what is needed inside of you, not inside the computer. Thats the most needed part.

So again, start small and see if it 'clicks' for you!!!

The type of programming capabilities it has is called linear programming

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_programming Hmm, think your confusing terms there, linear programming isn't anything to do with computer programming. Your thinking procedural programming which is what is used on the TI-84.

This was good help. I'm going to get a computer, and I need to know the best kind to get. Any ideas? Preferably laptop.

Preferably laptop is unpreferable to those giving advice on what computers to buy. This probably isn't the best forum for it. You haven't really stated budget, purpose, country your in even. Desktops are far cheaper than laptops. When you say kind, thats not very specific. Do you mean as in laptop or desktop. HTPC or gaming rig. Intel or AMD. I think really its a subject that needs more info and its own topic, that sort of topic might not fit in here either.

Yes thats exactly what Im talking about. Sorry if that was somewhat unclear or misinterpreted.