A REAL question about programming...

[billg3]

I was thinking about getting into programming. I started a long time ago by taking some college classes through the mail. I had no idea what I was getting into at the time and I gave up. They sent me Visual C++ 6 and were trying to teach me advanced stuff that I didn't understand. Now that I know more about things (variables, pointers, etc.), should I get back into it? I know some C and nothing else. I've heard that it's easier to start in BASIC and work your way up. Is that true? I want to learn how to make video games and I heard that most are made with C.

[Rizimar]

Do not start with BASIC, especially since you know some C already. It will slow you down. Just keep practicing with C and C++, then work your way up to Visual C++.

[billg3]

What's the advantage of C++ over C?

[satori]

As this is not directly related to Apple I'm moving this to game and assett dev. Also more likely to get greater response there.

[Zn]

quote:Originally posted by Morgoth:
What's the advantage of C++ over C?

Object oriented programming, but there is also "Objective C".

[Hugo]

C++ sucks.. I love C    

C is faster. And the code is easier to write (at least.. that's what I think) I love ASM even more!
although it's a hard thing to learn, but the commando's are little and simple. It's fast and the compiled file is most of the time smaller  

It's really your choice.. If I were you,
I would try them both (c or C++) and then take
the one you like the best  

[Gadget]

As already stated, get into Visual C++ and learn the OOP side that you haven't yet covered.  Once you get to grips with OOP get yourself the 'Sams' DirectX book and take it from there.  There are loads of tutorials for all aspects of game development at www.gamedev.net

Good luck  

[Gadget]

quote:Originally posted by Morgoth:
What's the advantage of C++ over C?

It has two plusses after it  

[Rizimar]

C++ is object oriented and uses polymorphism.

I don't think you can really say if C is faster than C++ because it depends on your compiler. I love C, myself. It's a lot of fun if you can really get into a project.

[billg3]

I think the hardest thing about programming is coming up with ideas for programs and games. If I had a solid plan for something, it might be easier.

There was an article on gamedev.net that said the first game to start with is Tetris. Maybe I'll go with that.

I have two books; C for Dummies: Volume One and Windows Game Programming for Dummies. I've read the C book and I've tried to read the other, but it hasn't sunk in yet.

I've never heard of Objective C or ASM. Are those different programming languages?

OOP sounds interesting but I'm afraid I'm not ready for it, yet. I might scramble my brain trying to understand that stuff.

[Zn]

Objective C is bascially C plus the advantage of object oriented programming.

ASM is a very low-level language through which you give basic commands to the box's CPU. I'm not sure if this is a very accurate description. This is a very old programming language and because of it's concept (low level programming), you'll end up writing many screens of text to achieve little.

This is a language from the era when they used switches and little blinking lights to code.
 
 [ May 12, 2004, 06:48 AM: Message edited by: Keeper ]

[The Andreyp]

I so do not think! I did not begin with basic! And as a result I know c ++, c:-)) upgrade our c ++ knowledge

[Hugo]

well.. hmm.. I don't really think you can call ASM old, because (I think) you get a new version
(with different commands) with every Chipset.
Like for example with the GBA you have ARM-ASM.

Cool thing about asm :

1.) much much much faster then C (at least on the gba)
2.) your compiled file is a lot smaller!

[Rizimar]

Actually, you don't compile anything is ASM. You "assemble" it. At least that's what I heard.
ASM is tough since you have to deal with CPU registers and stacks and the heap as well as other things. You shouldn't worry about it unless you are working on a program that you really want to speed up but can't seem to even with C optimisations.

[billg3]

I would think that with today's computers speed wouldn't be an issue. If you're writing a huge program you probably don't want to go with a low level language anyway, am I right? And small programs written in any language will work fast with new computers, I'd imagine.