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JOORDEE · Mar 4th, 2008, 7:11 PM

Whats up guys I wana make games, but I know very little about programming, What language would you suggest I start with

Benoit · Mar 4th, 2008, 7:41 PM

You're bound to get many different suggestions on this. I think C or python are good starting languages.

Brent · Mar 4th, 2008, 7:46 PM

This is pretty much up to you. If you don't mind a steep learning curve you could start with C++ or Java. If you want something a little less demanding and easier to read, you might want to start with a Basic language (eg. Visual Basic).

Right now there I hear there is a heavy demand for Java programmers in the computer industry, so if you plan to go into that field you might want to learn Java. It is Object Oriented and has a library from everything to networking and threads to graphics and calendars.

IMO, Java would be a great language to start some simple game programming, As you get more advanced, you may want to switch to C++, which has many more API's(things that make ur program do cool stuff...) for things such as game programming.

JOORDEE · Mar 4th, 2008, 10:08 PM

Thanks for your suggestions, Im trying to get as many suggestions as possible so please do not be afraid to put in your 2 cents

MrMan9879 · Mar 4th, 2008, 10:22 PM

If you're into programming for the web, PHP and MySQL is always a great place to start. It has similar syntax to C/C++ as well.

Jessehk · Mar 4th, 2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benoit

You're bound to get many different suggestions on this. I think C or python are good starting languages.

Agreed.

bulio · Mar 4th, 2008, 11:16 PM

I'd say either Python, or if you want to learn more about how a computer works, Assembly.

Grich · Mar 5th, 2008, 3:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulio

I'd say either Python, or if you want to learn more about how a computer works, Assembly.

So, your advising a beginner at programming to learn assembly.Mmmm.

It is a bit hard for beginners to grasp.
Everyone starts differently with programming, I started with BASIC, some started with Pascal, some start with C. My advice is to start any language, if you find it hard, move on and learn another. Although all languages have more or less the same features, what I do is learn a technique in a programming language that I'm confident with and apply what I have learned into the other languages.
e.g. When I was learning Object Orientation for the first time, I studied it in JAVA, when I got it, I could apply it to other languages like VB, PHP or COBOL.

lectricpharaoh · Mar 5th, 2008, 3:32 AM

I'd go with C#, myself. This will allow you to use GDI+ with minimal effort, which is fine for simple games (Tetris, Tic-Tac-Toe, Scrabble, etc). You can also use XNA/managed DirectX, and it's a lot easier than doing native DirectX stuff in C/C++. For those that claim you need the performance of C++, I'd argue that for the types of games you'll be attempting as a novice, it's a non-issue. I mean, you're not going to be writing the latest first-person shooter for your first game. Besides, if XNA is good enough for the XBox, it's probably good enough for you.

Bear in mind you're going to need to learn the language basics before you even attempt writing a graphical game. Your first game will probably be 'guess the numbers' or something similar, but with practice, you can move on to Tetris and the like.

BstrucT · Mar 5th, 2008, 4:20 AM

Had a quick look at the XNA Game Studio, looks quite cool.

Gonna download it later as to get started.
Not too interested in game programming, but very interested in exploring the full capabilities of the C# language.

My thanks again to lectricpharaoh for pointing me in the right direction where I am now enjoying my programming a lot more than I did with C. Shot man.

Mar 4th, 2008, 7:11 PM	#1
JOORDEE noob programmer hobyist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Baltimore,MD,USA Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	What Language should I start with Whats up guys I wana make games, but I know very little about programming, What language would you suggest I start with

Mar 4th, 2008, 7:41 PM	#2
Benoit Expert Programmer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 548 Rep Power: 4	Re: What Language should I start with You're bound to get many different suggestions on this. I think C or python are good starting languages. __________________ Johnny was a chemist's son but Johnny is no more, for what Johnny thought was H2O was H2SO4

Mar 4th, 2008, 7:46 PM	#3
Brent Highly Adaptive Penguin Join Date: May 2005 Location: United States Posts: 247 Rep Power: 4	Re: What Language should I start with This is pretty much up to you. If you don't mind a steep learning curve you could start with C++ or Java. If you want something a little less demanding and easier to read, you might want to start with a Basic language (eg. Visual Basic). Right now there I hear there is a heavy demand for Java programmers in the computer industry, so if you plan to go into that field you might want to learn Java. It is Object Oriented and has a library from everything to networking and threads to graphics and calendars. IMO, Java would be a great language to start some simple game programming, As you get more advanced, you may want to switch to C++, which has many more API's(things that make ur program do cool stuff...) for things such as game programming.

Mar 4th, 2008, 10:08 PM	#4
JOORDEE noob programmer hobyist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Baltimore,MD,USA Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Re: What Language should I start with Thanks for your suggestions, Im trying to get as many suggestions as possible so please do not be afraid to put in your 2 cents

Mar 4th, 2008, 10:22 PM	#5
MrMan9879 Programmer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada Posts: 95 Rep Power: 0	Re: What Language should I start with If you're into programming for the web, PHP and MySQL is always a great place to start. It has similar syntax to C/C++ as well. __________________ http://bcssa.andrewsmythe.net

Mar 4th, 2008, 11:16 PM	#7
bulio Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Location Posts: 138 Rep Power: 5	Re: What Language should I start with I'd say either Python, or if you want to learn more about how a computer works, Assembly.

Mar 5th, 2008, 3:32 AM	#9
lectricpharaoh Caffeinated Neural Net Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Wet west coast of Canada Posts: 895 Rep Power: 4	Re: What Language should I start with I'd go with C#, myself. This will allow you to use GDI+ with minimal effort, which is fine for simple games (Tetris, Tic-Tac-Toe, Scrabble, etc). You can also use XNA/managed DirectX, and it's a lot easier than doing native DirectX stuff in C/C++. For those that claim you need the performance of C++, I'd argue that for the types of games you'll be attempting as a novice, it's a non-issue. I mean, you're not going to be writing the latest first-person shooter for your first game. Besides, if XNA is good enough for the XBox, it's probably good enough for you. Bear in mind you're going to need to learn the language basics before you even attempt writing a graphical game. Your first game will probably be 'guess the numbers' or something similar, but with practice, you can move on to Tetris and the like. __________________ A man's knowledge is like an expanding sphere, the surface corresponding to the boundary between the known and the unknown. As the sphere grows, so does its surface; the more a man learns, the more he realizes how much he does not know. Hence, the most ignorant man thinks he knows it all. - L. Sprague de Camp

Mar 5th, 2008, 4:20 AM	#10
BstrucT Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Durban, South-Africa Posts: 118 Rep Power: 1	Re: What Language should I start with Had a quick look at the XNA Game Studio, looks quite cool. Gonna download it later as to get started. Not too interested in game programming, but very interested in exploring the full capabilities of the C# language. My thanks again to lectricpharaoh for pointing me in the right direction where I am now enjoying my programming a lot more than I did with C. Shot man. __________________ >BstrucT

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What Language should I start with