Re: Games programming

[ByteSavers International <cerise@geocities.com>]

At 11:05 AM 11/8/99 -0800, you wrote:
>So here is a general idea of how to go about it... one which I'm sure
>others will either improve upon or have entirely different and equally
>good versions.
>
>   Good beginner languages:
>   - C	C has been around like forever. There were other languages which
>        had preceded this one... like B, but that was WAY WAY before my
>        time. Though I'm sure someone knows what I'm talking about.

   This may be the first time people have recommended C for starting 8)
And actually I know B, BCPL, and CPL, the 3 predecessors.
   (all hail Thompson and Ritchie!)

>   - C++ Brought into the world to enhance C++ and add some nice features.
>         generally thought of as "easier" to use than C with a few more
>         protections, but is more powerful due to the libraries available
>         to it.

   Wastes more memory.  Stick with C.

>   - Java Relatively new to the scene and is basically based upon C/C++.
>          But it takes C/C++ to a new level of abstraction and does a
>          good job of protecting your data types and the like. It also
>          does something which C/C++ didn't do, and that was keeping
>          memory organized to prevent memory leaks. But Java code cannot
>          run on its own and requires a VM. But what you write on one
>          machine _should_ be runnable on another machine which an
>          appropriate VM. The only issue would then be whether the gaphics
>          libraries and file formats referenced are cross platform
>          compatible.

    Java still isn't acceptable to alot of folks, especially stock brokers
and aerospace industry.  Learn C first.  C++ and Java follow real easily
after that.

>   A relatively bad language for beginners:	
>   - Basic or any variant(qbasic,visual basic,etc):
>	An interpretted language which can also be compiled into code
>	format. Originally meant as the beginners' language, it has 
>	become something who's time should have ended, but thanks to MS,
>	is perpetuated.

   VBs great for basic front end stuff though....

>> Can anyone tell me where to get started, what books to get, which
>> language is best?
>> Cheers,
>> Steve

    Hands down, get Kernighan & Ritchie's "The C Programming Language."
You seem to have some understanding of the logic, and this book simply speaks
to you.  The best book you will ever find on C, and it's by the creator no less!
    In terms of C++ and Java, I'm not sure there *IS* a good book.  I
haven't seen
anything that really equals K&Rs C book.  Take a night class at a community
college
or some such.  Already knowing C gives you an incredible head start on both
of those.
    Generally if you're going for business, Visual BASIC and COBOL are the 2
languages
you're really going to have to know well.  You're on your own there 8)
    C is easily the most flexible programming language out there for just
about anything
else.  The only other language I would recommend above C++ and Java (Really
just extensions
to C) is Simula or FORTRAN.
    If you learn those languages, you'll do fine in just about anything you
do.  I'll warn
you that COBOL, Simula, and FORTRAN are known for being heavily fascist
languages in terms
of grammar.  Anyway, that should hold ya.

-Phil/CERisE
SomeOtherPerson: we have no cheese in the house!  
SomeOtherPerson: err..we do, but it's non-fat tasteless garbage
CERisE8192: Well that's because you're pathetic weight-watchers ;)
SomeOtherPerson: it almost ruined my sunday night...

6:20-ish 10/18/99

=================================================================
The GameProgrammer.Com mailing list is for the open discussion
of any topic related to the art, science, and business of
programming games. This list is especially tolerant of beginners.
We were all beginners once

To SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE please visit:
http://gameprogrammer.com/mailinglist.html