since im taking such a liking to making games i thought id try to get some books at the public liberary. i got a few generic game design books, but then i figured id read up again on some programming languages, but theres on thing i really didnt ask anyone before was what the heck is the difference between like C#, C(dubbaplus), C and all of them? i got a book on C# because thats what i used before, but anyone have a clue on this?
C++ and C# are object-oriented programming, while C is not. They are a tad easier to deal with. C++ Is probably the most powerful, but C# is Microsoft's .NET IDE, if I remember correctly... (I could be wrong. ) and it's a bit easier. Many people I know recommend C# as a first language, especially since it's free.
one of the books i got was windows game programming for dummies, and it uses C++ in its tutorials, so i think im gonna stick with C++ and take back the C# book. i might try to learn the other ones later just so i know, but id like to get started with one of them, and since C++ is powerful and easy, and the book is really easy to read, ill stick with it.
i would not recommend any of the "___ for dummies" books.
if youre serious about c++ i would recommend "c++ primer plus" as a starting book.
if youre serious about games in c++ would recommend sdl, allegro, directx, and opengl, sdk's
you can use windows GDI or GDI+ for graphics in windows but its not really recommended for serious game programming
"beggining game programming" is a directx 9 book and
"game programming all in one" is an allegro book.
i would suggest keeping that C# book. C# will continue to grow and already has many advantages over C++ albeit slightly newer and more complicated (based on Object oriented syntax of c++ and influenced heavily by java). the xbox's XNA Game Studio sdk is for C#.
Originally Posted by OldManClayton C++ and C# are object-oriented programming, while C is not. They are a tad easier to deal with. C++ Is probably the most powerful, but C# is Microsoft's .NET IDE, if I remember correctly... (I could be wrong. ) and it's a bit easier. Many people I know recommend C# as a first language, especially since it's free.
i'd like to add to this that microsoft delivers a complete suite of programming tools free of charge based on their powerful (and expensive) "Microsoft Visual Studio 2008" called MSV 2008 Express, which is made up of 4 individual IDE's. C++, C#, Visual Basic, and Visual Web Developer.
well then, you have made a very convincing argument, i might as well stick with C# then, maybe start working on things in XNA. the dummy book is starting to jump around too much already, and i just red that it wants me to start off reading an actual C++ book (go figure).
haha i was arguing for c++. im just saying dont disregard c#. it has lots of potential.
im a primary c++ user and know next to nothing of C#. i dont have an xbox360 so making games with xna is kind of pointless for me.
if youre looking for a starting point i would personally go with C++, or even something simpler like Basic, Python, perl. i could talk and recommend book after book, and resource after resource but i think ill just say...
lol, okay, ill start by getting a better book. i wish i started this topic before i went to the library, it was kind of a spur of the moment thing. i do think i might like starting with C#, mostly for the XNA (i think it'd be much more impressive to my friends if they saw my stuff on Xbox, heck, id be impressed) i have no problem jumping into things, and like i said before ive already got a start on C# (not much, problably more generic stuff that could be easily interchangable between the languages i dont know what the hell im talking about so ill shut up).
so in conclusion, i think ill get a new book for C++, but in the mean time, ill start reading this C# book.
Well, since you're making games, not software.. I'd just like to point out that MMF2 works better. I think almost all of us have moved into the C languages at one point, because it's trendy, but really, it's only good if you want to make something that doesn't have graphics.
Personally, for game making, I'd recommend learning Lua. Then combine it with MMF2. It's amazing how much power those two have put together. Also, Lua's a good scripting language, if you want to make online games, MUDs, MU*es, even mod some MMORPGs, a lot of them use Lua.
But yeah, go ahead, learn C# or C++, it helps a lot more if you want to get a job with it.
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
well yeah, thats the point. like hell i want to be working at dennys the rest of my life, and ive been reading up on different carrers in game design and it seems like no matter what you do, unless your a sound guy or ~!@ART, then you have to at least know a little bit of coding. granted i dont think i want to mainly code, id still like to know it so it looks good on my resume and if i dont get a job at least i can independantly do some stuff in my spare time, and god knows i have waaaay to much of that.
reguardless of that i really do like MMF2, im at least going to finish a few projects with it before i get totally serious about moving forward into the more technical portion of my journey. what exactly is lua? and an MUD or MU*es?
Originally Posted by Muz Well, since you're making games, not software.. I'd just like to point out that MMF2 works better. I think almost all of us have moved into the C languages at one point, because it's trendy, but really, it's only good if you want to make something that doesn't have graphics.
Personally, for game making, I'd recommend learning Lua. Then combine it with MMF2. It's amazing how much power those two have put together. Also, Lua's a good scripting language, if you want to make online games, MUDs, MU*es, even mod some MMORPGs, a lot of them use Lua.
But yeah, go ahead, learn C# or C++, it helps a lot more if you want to get a job with it.
you cant rely on mmf forever. if youre like me, i dont want to be stuck doing 2d games. theres tons of coding tools and engines to get the job done quickly. look at what some people are doing in what is a faster development time than most proffesional quality mmf'ers are doing.
Lua: http://www.lua.org/
It's another programming language.. IMHO, one of the easiest ones to use, and like MMF, it's designed to still work even though you code it badly.
MUD is one of those online, multiplayer text-based RPGs. Well, there's a whole bunch of them based on different codebases, MOOs, MUSHes, etc, so people just call the whole genre a MU*, which means multiplayer text-based RPG.
@cecil: Hah, nothing wrong with 2D games. Whatever pays more, I guess. You can do all kinds of things with MMF with a little creativity. That steve guy's making a bit of money off it
Edited by Muz
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
i dont have a problem with 2D or 3D, a good game is a good game, it doesnt need top of the line gfx to impress me. thats why i dont get along with heavily story based games like final fantasy, id rather watch a movie IMO. it could look like the most lifelike thing, but if i couldnt do anything with it, whats the point?
i might venture into lua + mmf2, but i want to at least get something done that i could use to grab someones attention, and unfortunatly it seems like most stuff needs to at least be done in 3d.
im making some good progress in this C# book. i downloaded visual C# express, and mixed with the previous workings with it and my work with MMF2, im really starting to get it alot easier now. im in invincible mode, so im gonna keep on trekkin and see where it brings me. this compiler is alot easier to use aswell, unlike the one i had to run through the cmd prompt before, i like how everything is hilighted and stuff too, that really helps.
C, C++ = Games programmed in these languages can be made to work on most platforms (Windows, Linux etc.)
C# = Windows only, but it's a really nice programming language.
Personally I prefer programming games in a real programming language. I feel like I have more control doing so, but it's much harder to do than doing it in MMF.
I'd say, go with what works for you. Learning to do it in a real programming language will take a long time, especially if you expect the same results as you get in MMF. So if you're ok with the fact that there might be a long time between results compared to using MMF, and you still have a genuine interest in it - go for it.
I haven't tried programming real games in C# yet, but I have gotten some results using C++ with the addon package Allegro, so if you decide to go with this I might be able to help
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They are a tad easier to deal with. C++ Is probably the most powerful, but C# is Microsoft's .NET IDE, if I remember correctly... (I could be wrong. 
) and it's a bit easier. Many people I know recommend C# as a first language, especially since it's free. 
Edited by Cecilectomy
