Hey boys.. erm..where to start.. I''m 16..and brilliant at normal computer operations and programs..my teacher has stated that she has been overwhelmed by my knowledge..neway..enough of the bragging ! Well..I want to learn programming..so I brought a HUGE C programming book by Herbert Schildt..I''m only just learning it..and I have GCSEs in 2 weeks ! erm..I''m not 2 good at it at the moment..but my question is: How the hell do u get started ? GameDev recommends a Tetris game..so thats where I''ll start..but how ?!?!?! I''m learning dos programs at the mo..and I lack a creative brain..I''m not good at solving problems !!!!!! So how do I go about it ?? The more detailed responces would be appreciated, and it would be really helpful if ne of u lot replyed by ICQ ! Dazza.

How about not starting with a game at all?
I think that article, or whatever you read, suggests that you start your game programming with a tetris kinda game. Learn how to program simple non-games first..like..um..well, you''ll figure something out

"Paranoia is the belief in a hidden order behind the visible." - Anonymous

Saying your not good at Solving Problems and saying that you want to program doesnt really make sence. ALL PROGRAMMING IS, IS PROBLEM SOLVING! Well, Get C or C++ down really good, and make a calculator and lots of useless junk.People trying to make a game as there first project are in for a big surprise. I bet Gamedev meant the first game you should make should be Tetris. NOT YOUR FIRST PROGRAM.
PS: PLEASE LEAVE THE BRAGGING OUT, I KNOW A KID WHO Thinks he''s the best programmer because he writes HTML "code"(its a friggen scripting language), Man, it still makes me laugh



Sorry if that sounded mean, wasnt ment to

Hey man, I thought I knew a lot about computer when I was 16, hehehe (btw I'm not being critical) but you will see, you have not even scratched the surface yet .

As to programming a game, I agree with Staffan about getting to know the language before making *games*. I'm not going to B.S you, games are very complex programs. But if you build a good foundation, then it's all good in tha hood . Nothing can stop you once you understand the fundmentals of a program (I know I'm b.s you now , just go and do it man!).

As to where to start, you should start by reading few books on game programming. Check out the gamedev books section (I recommend The Tricks of Windows Game Programming Gurus by Andera Lamothe). Also pay *attention* in school, you won't believe how many of the basic stuff you can use in your games... stuff that you think are boring are a must in programming (math, physics, the nine).

Good Luck!









Edited by - CodePlayEatSleep on May 9, 2000 8:04:41 PM

Howsabout you start by putting question marks at the end of your questions?

I learnt C for 3 years before I even started using directX. I would say I learnt a lot in those three years. By the way I''m 13. I am very dedicated though.

Hmm.. lessee here.

First, get a compiler. Sounds obvious but a good choice of compiler will be invaluable later.

Second, assuming you are going to throw yourself into games programming before plodding through all that useful, but boring, non games stuff, you could do a lot worse than grabbing the Direct X SDK. That has lots of examples in it that can help show you how to go about setting up your projects, dealing with the Windows side of things, setting sceen modes, loading and displaying your graphics, user input (both Direct Input as well as the more basic windows stuff), and a whole barage of stuff to keep you learning and experimenting for ages.

IMHO, learning from examples can be the best way to learn the games programming techniques that you probably wont find in books on your language of choice (probably C/C++).

Get the examples to build on your compiler, then start playing around with them to see what happens. Try adding anothe object on the screen, attatch it to the mouse, have it bounce off the sides of the screen, etc. These are all good games programming techniques that will be very valuable later.

And, of course, persevere. This is NOT easy, but it also isnt impossible. If you are dedicated, you will learn.

Hope that helps, and good luck.


--== Rapier ==--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Save the whales, feed the hungry, free the mallocs!

As everybody seems to agree with me on you should start by making utilities, small utilities are much esier to program and do not get out of hands like game ideas often will.
When I started programming I started making program to ease up my homework.
Word training programs (for german and english, I''m swedish) are easy and fun actually.
And forget the idea of learning in 2 weeks, ain''t gonna happen pal.

What we can''t do U can''t imagine...

I don't necessarily agree that you shouldn't start with game programming. The first programming book I ever purchased was "Teach Yourself Game Programming in 21 Days." The C code in that book was extremely easy to follow and everything was explained very well. The first program I ever wrote was based on stuff from that book, and it was just some dots that bounced around the screen. Then I started playing with making the dots change colors, then start at the top of the screen and leave trails as they fell down, etc etc. I'd highly recommend that book as a good starting point. The DOS graphics stuff is outdated, but it does a good job of introducing some basic concepts of game programming that still apply. Plus, it includes a very old version of Visual C++, in case you don't have anything better to start with.

Edited by - Diragor on May 11, 2000 1:09:02 PM

Thanks for replying guys..
I DO KNOW it will will take a long time to learn C..and then C++..and so on..but I''m willing to try..
and when I said I don''t like maths..well..I''m not the best..but after some thought I can do it !

Erm..I just need to know where to start ! I think I will start on a small utility first..ne ideas ? No grpahics ! Or small easy ones ! I need a book that takes everything REALLY slowly ! I''m considering buying (after I hopefully learn C).."The Dummies guide to windows game programming.." I''ve heard it''s quite good..what do u think guys ? Ne of u read it ? Well..ne way..thanks for helping me out..and myabe one day I''ll break through ! I''ve also had some good news..I''m only 16..yet I''ve seen a job that I suite easily..giving tech advice on the net..13K a year..that wouldn''t be bad at 17 ! Maybe I''ll ring them later !

Dazza !

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I''m hopeless - Help !
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