My conclusion

Computer science = all the computer stuff

Website:PC-Gaming

MSN messenger:garcon_bifteck@hotmail.com

Email:garconbifteck@pc-gaming.com

I won''t even bother reading what anyone else has said. No, I''ll relate my own experience here.

This is the "For Beginners" forum, right? So many people come here and made fourteen-year-old kids think they just _have_ to learn Calculus and Computer Science right this minute. Poppycock.

I will tell you that, when it comes to math, it doesn''t take long before it all comes together and you get your foot in the door (ouch!)-- but only if you are determined to learn it. That is a firm rule. You have to be determined. For math, always be aware of your weakness, and try to fix it. _That''s_ the only part that takes time.

The best place to learn what you don''t know is, despite what EVERYONE else will tell you in this lame forum, is the library. It''s the perfect place to study. You have books all around you, so there''s no lacking of information-- you could find a book on Calculus if you wanted to (I have ). Actually, a lot of the best information out there is at the library.

At school and even on these supposedly reader-friendly internet tutorials, they give you really technical stuff you just cross your eyes over. Don''t be embarassed because everyone would.

But at the library, I found a book called "Calculus the Easy Way," which is a Calculus text in the form of a humorous fantasy story, where the characters solve problems and discover the principles of Calculus along the way. What''s more, it''s just one in a whole series of books. There''s one on Trigonometry, Physics, writing, typing, and even a few on programming (Fortran, BASIC, and Pascal).

So, go to the library, and go there a lot. On the Internet, you MIGHT find something interesting. But at the classic library, you WILL. And you don''t even need to pay anyone.

Take things one at a time (baby steps). And remember that this might not be your field. What I did see of your other replies, someone asked what you want to become-- a designer, a programmer, et cetera. Do you really _want_ to be in this field at all? I know I don''t. I do this as a hobby, and I have other interests. Just take things one step at a time.

And I''m sure you''re typing skills won''t hold you back.

If you decide to persue any number of options for game development there is a great school in Florida called full sail. It''s a little pricey though. Look into it. http://www.fullsail.com

1) Do not worry about WPM. Your typing skills will improve after typing code for awhile.
2) Education? Buy a book and read it. That''s about it. To be a good ''certified'' programmer, you need at least some type of degree. There are famous programmers that dropped out of college, but do you really want to take that chance?

There is alot of math involved. You''ll need at least trig, but it depends on what you are coding.

I am pretty much in the same boat .. too many questions and doubts. Just keep close to the goal that you have.

I recommend learning BASIC first and then moving over to C/C++ or pascal. There is a qbasic program on your windows OS disk.. or just visit download.com and look up basic.

Eventually learn C/C++ or pascal.. most people choose the second choice.

pascal is similar to C.. so the conversion should not be a problem.

good luck.

quote: Original post by Anonymous Poster
I won't even bother reading what anyone else has said. No, I'll relate my own experience here.

This is the "For Beginners" forum, right? So many people come here and made fourteen-year-old kids think they just _have_ to learn Calculus and Computer Science right this minute. Poppycock.

I will tell you that, when it comes to math, it doesn't take long before it all comes together and you get your foot in the door (ouch!)-- but only if you are determined to learn it. That is a firm rule. You have to be determined. For math, always be aware of your weakness, and try to fix it. _That's_ the only part that takes time.

The best place to learn what you don't know is, despite what EVERYONE else will tell you in this lame forum, is the library. It's the perfect place to study. You have books all around you, so there's no lacking of information-- you could find a book on Calculus if you wanted to (I have ). Actually, a lot of the best information out there is at the library.

At school and even on these supposedly reader-friendly internet tutorials, they give you really technical stuff you just cross your eyes over. Don't be embarassed because everyone would.

But at the library, I found a book called "Calculus the Easy Way," which is a Calculus text in the form of a humorous fantasy story, where the characters solve problems and discover the principles of Calculus along the way. What's more, it's just one in a whole series of books. There's one on Trigonometry, Physics, writing, typing, and even a few on programming (Fortran, BASIC, and Pascal).

So, go to the library, and go there a lot. On the Internet, you MIGHT find something interesting. But at the classic library, you WILL. And you don't even need to pay anyone.

Take things one at a time (baby steps). And remember that this might not be your field. What I did see of your other replies, someone asked what you want to become-- a designer, a programmer, et cetera. Do you really _want_ to be in this field at all? I know I don't. I do this as a hobby, and I have other interests. Just take things one step at a time.

And I'm sure you're typing skills won't hold you back.

You know what....that was beautiful, sniff =.).. This post actually answers questions that Ive asked in this forum before and that have gone unanswered. I am very good at math and logic but I sometimes wonder if all the veterans in these forums are geniuses and Im completely wasting my time.

The problem is that I am a newbie at programming and I often look through higher level books only to cringe at the sight of the material. Remember when you were a little kid and you passed by the higher classes only to see all this gibberish on the blackboard and a feeling of curiosity coupled with fear came over you? Thats how I feel. Its reassuring to see that it happens or has happened to others in here too and that perhaps I have a chance =). This post should be permanently placed atop this forum for all scared newbies to read.


Edited by - hapaboy on January 12, 2002 4:37:20 AM

quote: Original post by Anonymous Poster
But at the library, I found a book called "Calculus the Easy Way," which is a Calculus text in the form of a humorous fantasy story, where the characters solve problems and discover the principles of Calculus along the way. What''s more, it''s just one in a whole series of books. There''s one on Trigonometry

Well last year my stupid maths teacher failed to drill a single bit of trig into my head, we are nearly about to do more work on it again (with a much better maths teacher might i add though), errmmm... What where these books called?, they might just save my so-far-short life....



Website:PC-Gaming

MSN messenger:garcon_bifteck@hotmail.com

Email:garconbifteck@pc-gaming.com

garconbifteck,

The trig book is called Trigonometry The Easy Way. It''s ISBN # is 0-7641-1360-7. I''ve been reading the trig one and the Physics The Easy Way and they both have been good so far.

Thanks



Thats it.... right?

Edited by - garconbifteck on January 12, 2002 9:50:11 AM

When I took trig, it was pretty much learning the formulas (as with any math class).

I learned what the unit circle was and the big three trig functions sin, cos, and tan.
Then learned the inverse functions.. and graphed the guys.

remember to learn these functions
sin(u-v)
sin(u+v)
cos(u-v)
cos(u+v)
+half angle and double angle formulas


A lot of formulas are extracted from them.
I took this last semester.. and I shiver when I look in my Calculus book..
my instructor DID skip over vectors.. DOH!!! so I think it''s going to be another book throwing semester.
(nothing like throwing the book across the room.. taking another look at it and actually figuring it out)


I am not a teenager either... so I consider myself a late bloomer at 24 years old... I''m probably older than 50% of most members on gamedev!

Mathematics is NOT easy, but it is rewarding. I can look at one of my 3D books and understand half the formulas now.


just take it one step at a time...

This is a view of ideas at work

quote: Original post by garconbifteck
My conclusion

Computer science = all the computer stuff

All the software and math based stuff.

Hardware design is Computer Engineering. But that''s completely non-programming.