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New in programming

Started by caffeineaddict 21 replies 1.6k views
Original Post
caffeineaddict
caffeineaddict
HI, sorry if I sound like a complete idiot in here, I know most of you are probably very good programmers in here, but I am just starting out, last year i decided that i wanted to be a programmer (by the way im 15) anyway i wanted to program games, but everyone i know doesnt even care about programming so im all alone with my "hopes". I am trying to learn C++ by myself in my spare time (mostly weekends and holidays) but when i read the books, i dont get very much of it, i mean i see it on paper but it doesnt really get in my head, i would do anything to be a game programmer, i was wondering if i should just give up, because i dont think ill ever understand it, and also am i starting to late trying to learn programming? I always here of these 12 and 13 year olds making games and other programs, and im doing good to get something on the screen at all, well just hoping for some responses, thanks.
TMOLI 42
TMOLI 42
Let''s see. Only YOU can decide whether you should keep programming. What do you want us to do, say that you should become a doctor or lawyer instead ?

If you really want to learn programming, I would reccomend taking a class and /or getting a book to teach you. Some people may disagree with me about the class but I''ve found the best way to learn something you''re unfamiliar with but want to learn is to be forced to do it.

Don''t worry about comparing yourself to other people. Just worry about learning the basics. Make sure your math skills are up to par (you''ll quickly find that out if they aren''t) and have multiple places to look for help such as books, teachers, the internet, GameDev.net, etc.

Lastly, good luck in whatever path you choose.



- TMOLI 42
Powered by hypocrisy!

"Go crazy? Don't mind if I do!" - Homer Simpson
TMOLI 42 Powered by hypocrisy!"Go crazy? Don't mind if I do!" - Homer Simpson
Quantum
Quantum
quote:
i was wondering if i should just give up, because i dont think ill ever understand it,

NO! dont give up. when i was first starting out i found it incredibly difficult to understand.
now, only about 6 months later im making my very own 2d side scroller .

quote:
and also am i starting to late trying to learn programming?

definately not
a alot of ppl dont even begin programming till after they finish high school and go onto uni/college or whatever


just keep at it, keep reading books, tutorials, make your own games, even if they are only crappy little text-adventures (not that text-adventures are crappy ) they will get you much more used to the language, and help you understand it a lot better

anyway, good luck

Peon
Peon
I''m in a similar situation, I''m 15 too. I don''t see how I can ever make a PONG game, but it''s OK, I''m gonna keep trying. When I get discouraged, I play games more. I think "what could I do better" and it makes we want to program again, even if it is boring cout stuff Music helps too, sometime. Go for it!

BTW, my friends dont program either, so no help there. It''s cool though, I''m almost worshipped like a god when it comes to computers

One more thing, I learn NOTHING from reading the books. But if I read and then try what they say for awhile, I can learn it much better.

I disagree about math at first, I''m in trig now, but all I really use is algebra... Then again, I''m only a newbie doing text based stuff, so what do I know?

Just my 2 cents
Peon
Ironblayde
Ironblayde
The books will help you a lot more if you''re reading them while you''re actually sitting at your computer, playing around with code as you come across new things. Programming is just one of those things that won''t stick in your head unless you use it, so just reading a bunch of stuff and then trying it all some other time probably won''t do you a whole lot of good. Experimenting is what will teach you things. Just don''t get discouraged when you have to try something a hundred times to get it to work. I''ve been coding for years, and I still have to play around with new things for quite some time to get them to work. I wish I had a dollar for every IPF I''ve caused since I started learning Windows coding.

So just give it time! It may take quite awhile before you get into making more exciting, graphics-based games, but it''s worth it.



-Ironblayde
 Aeon Software
"Your superior intellect is no match for our puny weapons!"
caffeineaddict
caffeineaddict
Hey, thanks everyone, I really appreciate your advice and opinions, I just downloaded and printed a tutorial for C++ and am very excited and i may post my developments in the future, by the way does it matter which compiler you use as long as it is C++, I downloaded a compiler called, Dev-C++ version 4 and i really dont know if it is the right thing or not, if you could help me in this last area i think i may be on my way to learning to program for the first time!
Muzzafarath
Muzzafarath
There''s no need to worry, everyone feels like this when they start out. I didn''t get a single thing from what I read in my C book when I first started out, but after a while everything will fall into place.
I'm reminded of the day my daughter came in, looked over my shoulder at some Perl 4 code, and said, "What is that, swearing?" - Larry Wall
justj
justj
I''m going to echo some previous advice: which is - start programming (it sounds like you''ve already decided to take that advice), and add one other thing: Get a debugger and learn how to use it. Then, if you ever get stuck staring at the screen feeling like you don''t know where to start or what to do, just write your best guess at the code you want, compile it, fix the bugs, run it, and start debugging it. I will guarantee you that if there is anything in your soul that wants to program, you will be hooked.
"It's obvious isn't it Miller? Curiosity killed these cats!"
SHilbert
SHilbert
quote:
Original post by justj

I''m going to echo some previous advice: which is - start programming (it sounds like you''ve already decided to take that advice), and add one other thing: Get a debugger and learn how to use it. Then, if you ever get stuck staring at the screen feeling like you don''t know where to start or what to do, just write your best guess at the code you want, compile it, fix the bugs, run it, and start debugging it. I will guarantee you that if there is anything in your soul that wants to program, you will be hooked.
That''s going in MY list of quotes. Very sage advice...



lntakitopi@aol.com - http://www.geocities.com/guanajam
caffeineaddict
caffeineaddict
Thanks again, I have decided to program but theres still on emore thing about the compiler, is the one i have ok? There is nothing more i want than to propgram so i will start with easy cout stuff then go to input type things then from there ill play it by ear, well please post about my compiler. Thanks a lot.
Ironblayde
Ironblayde
The best way to go for a compiler would be Visual C++. It''s unfortunately pretty expensive -- unless you know someone in college with an academic discount, then you can get the whole Visual Studio Professional for around $29.95. But also, I think version 7.0 is coming out sometime soon, so you might want to wait for that...

-Ironblayde
 Aeon Software
"Your superior intellect is no match for our puny weapons!"
Big B
Big B
A lot of books come with compilers on a CD. I got the "Game Programmer''s Starter Kit" which came with VC++ 6 Introductory Edition, and it cost about $30.00. Even an old book of mine came with TC++ Lite on a diskette.
If you are just starting out, download DJGPP (DOS32 compiler)and ALLEGRO. I used it and was able to push out some DOS games in no time.
Remember, programming is just like getting to Carnegie Hall,
"Practice, Practice, Practice"
J2xC
J2xC
I didn''t bother reading all of thread yet... sorry I''m too lazy.

A useful starter: Get a book on C++ that has LOTS of exercises in it. And do EVERY exercise to the minutest detail... this will greatly improve your grasp, and you won''t forget as fast.

Practice makes perfect


J2xC (J. Connolly)

"Then study this: Borg provokes Klingon, Klingon breaks Borg's nose" Belanna Torres, Star Trek Voyager 5.11 "Someone to watch over me"

J2xC (J. Connolly) Ah! By popular demand, I shall no longer resist...
crazy-vasey
crazy-vasey
Dev C++ is fine. Another very good free compiler is the borland command line tools.

I use both of those myself.

My Homepage
caffeineaddict
caffeineaddict
Thanks again everyone, I am ready to get started and I got C++ for idiots book as well as windows game programming for dummies, this "hopefully" should get me well underway to making games, well i hope to be on this site a lot more now since im going to be making games, anyway thanks again.
Null and Void
Null and Void
I''ve been programming since I was 10/11, I barely understood it then, it was my program-C++-like-I-was-programming-in-basic phase =P

Beleive it or not it took me a moment to realize I had to compile the program to run it (I actually tried renaming first.cpp into first.exe )

So, your start should be better off than mine. I guess this is all a post of encouragement, stop by here or programmersheaven.com''s C++ message board to get questions answered, I post a lot there .

I guess I''m kind of lucky though, I like reading programming books and texts...
Big B
Big B
You should also pick up an Introduction to Computer Science book.

Its one thing to know the syntax of a language, its another to know why you are using that syntax. It should also give you insight into things like linked lists, recursion, and developing good algorithms, all important in computer programming.

If I had one of these books when I started out, I''d be ten times the programmer I am today!
yb legal
yb legal
being addicted to caffeine is a good start....
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. -Mark Twain

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