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Hi! I'm new to the forum and since people found out I program games and stuff people want to learn too! So I shall tell you the basics here and I will teach you more and more as time goes on.
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Lesson 1 - Programming Language For You!
So, you've decided you're really good at computer games, huh? And you think it is about time you tried to make something with a bit more of a challenge, right? Good! Because I am sure that all of you have thought about progamming games at one point or another and here in these lessons I will give you the basics and an insight into what it is all about.
First off you will need to learn a language and get a compiler for that language. A compiler is a program where you can type the code and it basically puts it all together for you to make the code into an EXE file and make it do something. These are very important and you will need one of thse.
There are many different programming languages and compilers on the market right now but there are only a small number of ones people would use for games. Here I will tell you about each of them and their strengths and weaknesses.
C++ - This is the daddy of languages. This is what most professional games are programmed in therefore is the biggest and the best for fast 3D games. Unfortunately it is very hard to learn and most people think learning C (the older version of the language) first is a good idea. It is not. C++ can be learnt at most colleges and universities but expect to stay a long time as this is a huge language! This is the best for games as it is the fastest and most versatille. The best compiler is Microsoft Visual C++, which retails at about £200 for a standard liscence.
Visual Basic - VB is more of an application language. Not really suited for games because it isn't as fast as C++ and therefore will struggle with complex 3D graphics and Direct X. But it can be good for 2D games, and seeing as the itnerface is basically drag and drop components (things that are in the program that you can see on the screen and can be programmed to behave a certain way) onto a stage. This means games can be made prety fast and easily. The language itself is pretty basic (hence the name) and isn't too hard to get to grips with, but as I said it is a program language, so don't expect to make amazing games with this!
Assembly - Most professionals use this language in conjunction with C++ to make games. But I don't use this as it is a horribly unstructured language and the code usually looks a little something like this: 01000101010001110. Terrible. Avoid this like the plague!
Java - Java is a language that has only recently made a real impression. It is made to be used on the web and is very fast and simple. The code can be learnt in about a year and is a good one for online games. This language is a very good one to start to learn with the rise of the amount of people coming online now!
Flash - Flash is a program mainly for making web animations. But in recent versions the actionscript (Their programming language) has gotten very advanced and can be used to make great web games. It is primarily used for 2D web games, as it is a slow language. I use this one, along with many many others as it is such a fun and easy to use language. Macromedia Flash 5 is the current version and is around £400.
Well thats a roun up of languages! Hope you enjoyed the first lesson. The next one will deal with Flash as being the program to use to make nice fun and simple arcadey games. I will tell you where to get it and the basics of using it. In later issues I will go on to create simple games with you for it!
Have fun all!
------------------------------------------------------------
Lesson 1 - Programming Language For You!
So, you've decided you're really good at computer games, huh? And you think it is about time you tried to make something with a bit more of a challenge, right? Good! Because I am sure that all of you have thought about progamming games at one point or another and here in these lessons I will give you the basics and an insight into what it is all about.
First off you will need to learn a language and get a compiler for that language. A compiler is a program where you can type the code and it basically puts it all together for you to make the code into an EXE file and make it do something. These are very important and you will need one of thse.
There are many different programming languages and compilers on the market right now but there are only a small number of ones people would use for games. Here I will tell you about each of them and their strengths and weaknesses.
C++ - This is the daddy of languages. This is what most professional games are programmed in therefore is the biggest and the best for fast 3D games. Unfortunately it is very hard to learn and most people think learning C (the older version of the language) first is a good idea. It is not. C++ can be learnt at most colleges and universities but expect to stay a long time as this is a huge language! This is the best for games as it is the fastest and most versatille. The best compiler is Microsoft Visual C++, which retails at about £200 for a standard liscence.
Visual Basic - VB is more of an application language. Not really suited for games because it isn't as fast as C++ and therefore will struggle with complex 3D graphics and Direct X. But it can be good for 2D games, and seeing as the itnerface is basically drag and drop components (things that are in the program that you can see on the screen and can be programmed to behave a certain way) onto a stage. This means games can be made prety fast and easily. The language itself is pretty basic (hence the name) and isn't too hard to get to grips with, but as I said it is a program language, so don't expect to make amazing games with this!
Assembly - Most professionals use this language in conjunction with C++ to make games. But I don't use this as it is a horribly unstructured language and the code usually looks a little something like this: 01000101010001110. Terrible. Avoid this like the plague!
Java - Java is a language that has only recently made a real impression. It is made to be used on the web and is very fast and simple. The code can be learnt in about a year and is a good one for online games. This language is a very good one to start to learn with the rise of the amount of people coming online now!
Flash - Flash is a program mainly for making web animations. But in recent versions the actionscript (Their programming language) has gotten very advanced and can be used to make great web games. It is primarily used for 2D web games, as it is a slow language. I use this one, along with many many others as it is such a fun and easy to use language. Macromedia Flash 5 is the current version and is around £400.
Well thats a roun up of languages! Hope you enjoyed the first lesson. The next one will deal with Flash as being the program to use to make nice fun and simple arcadey games. I will tell you where to get it and the basics of using it. In later issues I will go on to create simple games with you for it!
Have fun all!
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im downloading flash now , when will your next lesson be up knife ?
coughjamercough
How old are you?
oops double post there , sorry
I just realised I did that wrong. Come on, its been over a year since I last did anything C++ wise.
int = age
cout<<"Nnnnggrrrrr"
cin>>age
cout<< /n age
On the screen it should then say...
Nnnnggrrrrr
8
Or so I think. I bet I'm wrong. And I didn't include that beginning stuff like include iostream.h or whatever. Grrrr.
int = age
cout<<"Nnnnggrrrrr"
cin>>age
cout<< /n age
On the screen it should then say...
Nnnnggrrrrr
8
Or so I think. I bet I'm wrong. And I didn't include that beginning stuff like include iostream.h or whatever. Grrrr.
you know kinfe .... you could charge for this ;-) (all cheques made payable to indian-dudeuk inc )
or you know what would be cool ..... if you put the whole lot into flash and made an interactive flash thingy that tells you everything you need to know ! then you could burn it to a disc or floppy disc (if it would fit) and sell them for about £5. You could show samples of what you've made and could put together little projects for people to do (at an extra cost of course ) you make a few bob from that ;-)
or you know what would be cool ..... if you put the whole lot into flash and made an interactive flash thingy that tells you everything you need to know ! then you could burn it to a disc or floppy disc (if it would fit) and sell them for about £5. You could show samples of what you've made and could put together little projects for people to do (at an extra cost of course ) you make a few bob from that ;-)
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