[QUOTE=Darth Irule;31298619]Ive asked this question before and Ive been told Pearl numerous times. I never tried it out yet though.[/QUOTE]
Perl is a great language, if you are interested in game dev than don't use it though as it lacks many (if any) libraries to make it a less tedious task.
[QUOTE=Simspelaaja;31303415]I think you mean [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perl"]Perl[/URL].[/QUOTE]
To be fair, they both sound the same.
[QUOTE=Gbps;31248995]I'm sure I wasn't the only one who had a really hard time grasping the simple concepts of pointers[/QUOTE]
Operations on memory addresses are fundamental to computer operation. People who have a hard time with pointers should probably learn how a computer works before trying to program one.
As for OP, don't get too hung up on languages. It isn't terribly important what you start with. I personally don't think Python is a bad place to start.
C# with Microsoft Visual C# Express (which is free, you just have to register).
I'm only saying this because the program is like a babysitter which will inform you of pretty much all basic faults your program can have. It's pretty neat if you're a beginner.
I tried learning a bunch of languages and python is the one I got the furthest with. It'll all come down to how you can do at turning a problem into basic logical steps rather than what specific language you use.
I find both Java and Lua to be extremely easy, if you want to mod GMod go with Lua if you want to make programs go with Java. Java is alot easier then C++ IMO as it dosen't use pointers etc. With java you can do things alot easier as with its GUI controls and it works on all platforms (don't say it).
Can we please make a sticky about this, every 5th thread is this exact same question. Hell right now the very next thread is this exact same question.
Lua, it's nice, it's open source, it's small.
I'd go with whatever language you want to use. Generally Python would be a good starting point, since it doesn't require a whole lot to do a LOT of stuff. I made a package manager in that once in about a week, and it could compile and download packages from userdefined servers, read json files containing package descriptions and links and post commands or files to run when the download was complete and what and where to compile, and a settings file with mirrors and everything. It even had a backup utility and color printing (ASCII, so no Windows colors :( )
But that's just the tip of the iceberg, and using no external Python libraries, and I'm now moving on to C++ and have been doing so for a while, learning about game engines and working with graphics and such.
I was taking a look at Squirrel recently, it looks pretty nice too. I think Garry is using it in Botch or something?
[url]http://www.squirrel-lang.org/[/url]
The syntax is very nice -
[lua]
local table = {
a = "10"
subtable = {
array = [1,2,3]
},
[10 + 123] = "expression index"
}
local array=[ 1, 2, 3, { a = 10, b = "string" } ];
foreach (i,val in array)
{
::print("the type of val is"+typeof val);
}
/////////////////////////////////////////////
class Entity
{
constructor(etype,entityname)
{
name = entityname;
type = etype;
}
x = 0;
y = 0;
z = 0;
name = null;
type = null;
}
function Entity::MoveTo(newx,newy,newz)
{
x = newx;
y = newy;
z = newz;
}
class Player extends Entity {
constructor(entityname)
{
base.constructor("Player",entityname)
}
function DoDomething()
{
::print("something");
}
}
local newplayer = Player("da playar");
newplayer.MoveTo(100,200,300);
[/lua]
I don't like the syntax of Squirrel, but portal 2 is using it. I [del]prefer[/del] much prefer Lua.
[QUOTE=Map in a box;31320124]I don't like the syntax of Squirrel, but portal 2 is using it. I [del]prefer[/del] much prefer Lua.[/QUOTE]Portal 2 uses Squirrel? Sweet!
I started with Python. It's very readable, but powerful at the same time. And people actually use it, unlike most of the tutorial languages like Lisp or Fortran.
I really enjoy Squirrel's C-like syntax.
[QUOTE=yumi_cheese;31315600]Can we please make a sticky about this, every 5th thread is this exact same question. Hell right now the very next thread is this exact same question.[/QUOTE]
I have a feeling that any such sticky would be skewed towards whatever language/platform the author is currently infatuated with.
There really is no such thing as a "newbie" language, and different people have different learning habits, needs, and existing knowledge to draw from.
[QUOTE=Map in a box;31320124]I don't like the syntax of Squirrel, but portal 2 is using it. I [del]prefer[/del] much prefer Lua.[/QUOTE]
Where does Portal 2 use squirrel?
[QUOTE=ROBO_DONUT;31323062]I have a feeling that any such sticky would be skewed towards whatever language/platform the author is currently infatuated with.
There really is no such thing as a "newbie" language, and different people have different learning habits, needs, and existing knowledge to draw from.[/QUOTE]I say a difference person writes the pros/cons of the language they use, and it's compiled into a sticky, as to avoid bias or anything.
[QUOTE=Quark:;31320148]Portal 2 uses Squirrel? Sweet![/QUOTE]
Eh yeah, for those who don't know, (I wouldn't expect you to, all the good developers I know fled Source, I'm one of the only losers still working with,) Valve wrote a scripting abstraction called VScript.
About a year ago, I started writing a Lua SDK for the Source Engine as an extension to the engine for fellow developers. Then Valve came out with this VScript gobbledygook that shat all over my year's+ worth of work, because not only does VScript encompass Squirrel - but JavaScript, GameMonkey, AND Lua too with macro work/templating that allows you to bind to all available scripting interfaces with a single line of code per func, etc.
My vocabulary that day consisted of two words:
"WELL, MOTHERFUCKER."
[editline]25th July 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=T3hGamerDK;31326016]Where does Portal 2 use squirrel?[/QUOTE]
All the derivative Source Engine builds use VScript. (L4D, etc., except TF2.)
[editline]25th July 2011[/editline]
My interface is more oriented towards GMod-like scripting with detouring while being very minimalistic in it's codebase, while Valve's is more GameEvent driven. As a result, my work is still more flexible, and with the right coding, more impressive, but Valve's abstraction is impressive right off the bat.
FourTran.
[QUOTE=T3hGamerDK;31326016]Where does Portal 2 use squirrel?[/QUOTE]
I forgot where since I uninstalled it but look for a scripts folder.
[QUOTE=certified;31340551]FourTran.[/QUOTE]
FourTran, like fourmula translation.
[QUOTE=Darwin226;31341475]FourTran, like fourmula translation.[/QUOTE]
The choo choo TRAN is coming to give you FOUR beans! Open up!
I'd say learn python, then once you know how programming works move onto C++. After you learn python, you can suddenly understand everything else (especially stuff like lua) pretty well.
[QUOTE=Raneman25;31349198]I'd say learn python, then once you know how programming works move onto C++. After you learn python, you can suddenly understand everything else (especially stuff like lua) pretty well.[/QUOTE]
I find that Python doesn't have that much in common with[code] other l a n gu a ges[/code]
I'm actually learning C++ first.
I might switch to Python, but I don't really know the huge differences. :(
[QUOTE=Grabigel;31426270]I'm actually learning C++ first.
I might switch to Python, but I don't really know the huge differences. :([/QUOTE]
Well good luck! You'll probably get a big pair of boots to be fittin' in, but if you're really up for the task, that's a good idea!
That is, if you want to learn C++ first of course :)
[QUOTE=T3hGamerDK;31427165]Well good luck! You'll probably get a big pair of boots to be fittin' in, but if you're really up for the task, that's a good idea!
That is, if you want to learn C++ first of course :)[/QUOTE]
I realized that I should learn the basics of an easier language, like Python, first. :)
From what I can see, most people either suggest Python, or C# for some reason.
By the way, for the people that are going with Python, MIT have released an OpenCourseWare playlist for an Introduction to Computer Science and Programming course, and they use Python. :) [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6U-i4gXkLM&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=SP4C4720A6F225E074"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6U-i4gXkLM&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=SP4C4720A6F225E074[/URL]
I don't know if it is better to listen to these lectures or to read the good tutorial here [URL="http://openbookproject.net/thinkcs/python/english2e/"]http://openbookproject.net/thinkcs/python/english2e/[/URL]
C#, when you've got the basics go to C++. Then venture out into softly typed / script based languages. IMO
[QUOTE=VGS_Devs;31429336]C#, when you've got the basics go to C++. Then venture out into softly typed / script based languages. IMO[/QUOTE]
You got it backwards. Why should you first learn a nice, all-purpose managed language, then move into hard, low-ish level unmanaged language and THEN go into a scripting language meant for beginners?
I'd recommend learning HOW programming (languages) work. Get a taste of raw manly C or C++. Then either doodle in a scripting language or a try a managed language. Too many people ask about what language they should learn to program.
Programming is about a whole lot more than just using a programming language.
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