Super Mario Bros. X Forums

• I don't think I, as a beginner, would want to start in C++, would I?

If you know how code works then you might as well start with C++. If you need a good compiler, take a look at Visual Studio or Code::Blocks. I recommend Visual Studio for its incredible interface but you'll only be able to compile the code for Windows. To make your code multiplatform you need to port the code to another compiler and recompile it.

C# is good because it is so similar to Java I had no problems learning the syntax. I do like languages that can be read in English more, like Visual Basic and Ruby. If you want to start serious game developing you can either start learning C# + XNA (VB.NET works too, but there are few tutorials for it) or jump straight to C++. If you start with C++ and need a good game development library try Alegro. You can move on to DirectX and OpenGL later.

I'm learning Java right now ( taking the class joey took this year), and I would recommend starting with Java. It helps you start to think like a computer in terms of logic, and also takes care of many of things for you already, like data structures and memory management. It's nice to use it to get an inkling of what programming is like before you actually start coding

What should I move on to after using SMBX, in programming?

Uncle Sam wrote:I'm learning Java right now ( taking the class joey took this year), and I would recommend starting with Java. It helps you start to think like a computer in terms of logic, and also takes care of many of things for you already, like data structures and memory management. It's nice to use it to get an inkling of what programming is like before you actually start coding

I just took a semester-long beginner's Java Programmer class and passed it with ease, and I have plans on taking the AP class in a year or so.
However, just like Joey, I'm not interested in developing anything with Java in the future.

FanofSMBX wrote:What should I move on to after using SMBX, in programming?

If you're someone who knows basically nothing about programming, try Visual Basic or enrolling in a Computer Science class in high school.

FanofSMBX wrote:What should I move on to after using SMBX, in programming?

If I were you, I'd start with C or C# as they are both easier to learn than C++ and it makes it easier in the future to switch to other languages. But it really comes down to what you want to program, for example if you want to make games C# and C++ would be a good choice. As for me I started with VB.NET and have grown to be quite fluent in it, I started because I wanted to make games and "bcuz redigit uzed it lol."

Namyrr wrote:So, how many of you here are programmers? My hope is to one day be working as a programmer, to be making video games, whether it be indie or with a company.
And so, my question is this: Somewhere, somehow, I managed to obtain a Java book-pdf and a C++ book-pdf which specifically teaches how to think and code like a video game programmer.
Now here's my problem:

• I'd much rather start in C#... though I lack any way of truly 'learning' and understanding it.
• I don't have a C++ coding console, nor do I know where to get one.
• I don't think I, as a beginner, would want to start in C++, would I?

What do I do?

I'd start with C# to get your feet wet with the C languages. If you work with it long enough, eventually you should be able to learn the ropes and teach yourself. If you can, find a book that deals with the basics. Since you want to make games, you'll mostly deal with graphics performance, and engine logic (at least that's what I normally deal with). You'd also want to be familiar with different frameworks such as .NET, XNA, and DirectX. This is kind of an over simplification, but it's the best I can do with the information given, and my own experience.

What has SMBX taught me about programming?

FanofSMBX wrote:What has SMBX taught me about programming?

If you didn't program it, nothing.

The biggest thing you would probably have to worry about is the pseudocode, where you would write the code in some form of English before you write the code

For something as big as a game, that's what I would recommend, rather than starting writing some code. It's always better to know where you're going or how you're gonna write it

Uncle Sam wrote:The biggest thing you would probably have to worry about is the pseudocode, where you would write the code in some form of English before you write the code

For something as big as a game, that's what I would recommend, rather than starting writing some code. It's always better to know where you're going or how you're gonna write it

That's what dropped me off on learning how to code. I can write up some really good ideas, but I can't throw them into coding format, and vice-versa.

On an off-topic note, if you ever need any graphic designers for any future games, you could consider me for the job, but if you're working on something regarding top-notch 3D or 1028x1028 textures, you might want to hire somebody else.

Emral wrote:

FanofSMBX wrote:What has SMBX taught me about programming?

If you didn't program it, nothing.

Probably event-induced programming and conditional logic notions.

FanofSMBX wrote:What has SMBX taught me about programming?

Nothing. It taught you nothing regarding programming. There is nothing involved with programming that is involved with SMBX (unless you count LunaDLL). If you really want to step it up to the next level, either go learn actual coding, or go use RPG Maker, because it has a coding system and user-friendly interface like SMBX. I don't recommend using RPG Maker, but if you want something that is easy to use, go for it.

There is nothing involved with programming that is involved with SMBX

SMBX can teach you what events are and how to manage them. This is largely a part of Mathematics but I wouldn't call SMBX entirely useless when it comes to learning how to code. As for LunaDLL, that's not programming. It's something like scripting/modding.

Raster wrote:SMBX can teach you what events are and how to manage them. This is largely a part of Mathematics but I wouldn't call SMBX entirely useless when it comes to learning how to code.

I'm not sure what you mean here. I don't understand how events could really help teach anything related to programming. I guess it may be possible that it can be similar to calling different classes of data, but that's all I could think of.

I see what Raster means - at least, I can relate events and programming from my own experience. Toggling layers is the best example I can think of, especially when you have multiple layers that are supposed to exist separately (i.e. only one layer shown a time) with their objects existing in the same location. Most events entail "this makes this happen, but if the player does this then this can happen instead" - there aren't explicit conditionals, but rather implicit ones created by event triggers (like hitting a block).

So SMBX teaches you about some of the basic ideas of coding, but it doesn't actually make you pick up a certain language and go "Hey, I understand this perfectly! Thanks SMBX!!!"?

FanofSMBX wrote:So SMBX teaches you about some of the basic ideas of coding, but it doesn't actually make you pick up a certain language and go "Hey, I understand this perfectly! Thanks SMBX!!!"?

You sure are taking everything easy. For me, SMBX was not too hard to make actually but by layers and events it was not too understandable at first but later I learned and get used to in (especially right now).

By Programming, maybe I will be another programmer and making new PC Games (and I hope with Level Editor too if I can) but until now I did not even learned how to do this so yeah, gonna wait...

Namyrr wrote:So, how many of you here are programmers? My hope is to one day be working as a programmer, to be making video games, whether it be indie or with a company.
And so, my question is this: Somewhere, somehow, I managed to obtain a Java book-pdf and a C++ book-pdf which specifically teaches how to think and code like a video game programmer.
Now here's my problem:

• I'd much rather start in C#... though I lack any way of truly 'learning' and understanding it.
• I don't have a C++ coding console, nor do I know where to get one.
• I don't think I, as a beginner, would want to start in C++, would I?

What do I do?

We've already talked about this in chat but I'm going to post it again here just in case anyone is curious.

Most of you know that I've been programming for a little bit now, about 3 years evident by the past two programs I've made for SMBX. For anyone wanting to get into that is primarily a Windows-OS person, start with Visual Basic.NET. Almost the same as SMBX's programming language with some help from the wonderful .NET Framework. From then I'd move onto C#. This is what I've done. The reason I'd suggest doing this is that Visual Basic is simple enough to not confuse newbies but also much of the classes (EG: Streamreader for reading text files, Linq for XML, etc) are very similar in VB.NET and C# thus why code converters will exist for say VB.NET to C# and vice versa.

As to what to program with, Visual Studio. Visual Studio Express enables you to download the languages you want or if you're serious about it, just buy the whole VS (don't know how much it is). Visual Studio supports C#, Visual Basic and Microsoft's implementation of C++ which will be a start in the right direction. Visual Studio includes some great debugging tools and a top notch form designer. I can't recommend it enough honestly.

thenewboston on YouTube AKA Bucky is a great way to learn C#, Visual Basic, or any other programming languages. If any of you are curious as to how everything works, I've made my source codes publicly available for a reason on my GitHub Page for a reason

GhostHawk wrote:

Raster wrote:SMBX can teach you what events are and how to manage them. This is largely a part of Mathematics but I wouldn't call SMBX entirely useless when it comes to learning how to code.

I'm not sure what you mean here. I don't understand how events could really help teach anything related to programming. I guess it may be possible that it can be similar to calling different classes of data, but that's all I could think of.

I wouldn't necessarily say mathematics but definitely in programming in general. Especially when working with multithreaded programs and such and waiting for one thread to get done, etc..even I haven't delved there for a reason.

Joey wrote:I see what Raster means - at least, I can relate events and programming from my own experience. Toggling layers is the best example I can think of, especially when you have multiple layers that are supposed to exist separately (i.e. only one layer shown a time) with their objects existing in the same location. Most events entail "this makes this happen, but if the player does this then this can happen instead" - there aren't explicit conditionals, but rather implicit ones created by event triggers (like hitting a block).

Exactly what I meant. Think of it as 'after x happens make y happen.' Take Visual Basic as an example. The language is event-induced, and not fully OoP (Object-oriented programming) so it works like 'if users clicks commandbutton1 then formx appears'. This is very similar to how SMBX handles events and layers.

So SMBX teaches you about some of the basic ideas of coding, but it doesn't actually make you pick up a certain language and go "Hey, I understand this perfectly! Thanks SMBX!!!"?

Erm, not quite. You're still going to spend hours after hours of research and coding basic stuff. But don't feel discouraged! Programming can be mastered with exercise and hard work, and the effort will help you in the long run.

Don't be fooled. :3

[rimg]http://i.imgur.com/xqls7Qn.jpg[/rimg]