Languages

I do not want to tell you what language to use, but from my understanding transitioning from VB to C# will be much easier than learning Java or C++.

If VB will do everything you want the way you want it as fast as you want it, don't switch languages just because someone tells you it's a better language.

I think that Python would present many of the same problems as VB for developing a 3D game. I have zero experience in Python but I haven't heard of a lot of 3D games being developed in it.

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How hard would it be to transfer from VB6 to C++/Java

Do you mean how easily can you learn C++ and Java or how easily can you port VB6 code to C++/Java?
If you mean learn, I've found that I can usually look at code in most languges even stuff I'm not slightly familiar with, and be able to grasp what it does roughly. Once you get into a programming mindset you can pick up most languages pretty easily. Well except maybe BrainF***

And I'm not saying you need to switch there have certainly been 3D games made in VB. But good development tools are pretty much in the C++ domain. And the bigger your projects get the more you have to consider things like that.
Also there aren't exactly hordes of 3D experienced VB coders out there and if you want to do an MMO in any language you're going to need help.
Learing a new language can be frustrating while you're inexperienced at it, but its pretty rewarding once you've got it down[smile].

[Edited by - Ranger50000 on August 30, 2006 12:43:45 AM]

I'd recommend C#. It has much of the high-level potency of VB6, without a lot of the crufty language features that make the Basic family vulnerable to bad coding habits. C# Express is available for free, of course, which is a hard deal to beat.

The main bonus of C# is that it will give you access to Managed DirectX, which is hands-down the most convenient way to make a full 3D game, assuming you want to write the engine yourself. Alternately you could take a look at Torque or other similar off-the-shelf 3D engines that will let you get good 3D graphics without requiring in-depth C++ knowledge (Torque lets you write game logic in TorqueScript, for example).


Of course there's also VB.Net, which will be closer to VB6 in terms of syntax; however, I'd lean towards C# for a handful of reasons: migrating to VB.Net syntax when all you know is VB6 can be very, very confusing (speaking from experience); VB.Net and C# are basically equivalent languages with different syntax anyways; and learning C# will get you used to the "curly braces" family of languages (which includes C, C++, Java, Perl, PHP, and a host of others).


Learning your second language will be slightly sticky, but much easier than learning your first. I'd recommend picking up a third language as quickly as possible as well - try L# for a Lisp dialect that can use the .Net framework. The third language usually goes pretty easy. After that, picking up additional languages is pretty much a cinch.

I'm mainly thinking of what will have the most power, flexibility, and ease, for creating 3D games. I have heard that OpenGL is one of the best ways to go about 3D, however I don't know of any tutorials for it for VB, or if it is even possible/worth it with VB.

Also, what are the differences between C/C#/C++? What are the advantages/disadvantages for each of them? I have also heard that is exactly like C++ in many ways. I don't really care how similar it is to VB, as long as it has good 3D support and isn't TOO difficult to learn.

"The main bonus of C# is that it will give you access to Managed DirectX, which is hands-down the most convenient way to make a full 3D game, assuming you want to write the engine yourself."
Yes, I would like to write the engine myself. I'm only in highschool right now (freshman), but in the future I would like to pursue a career in programming, and I think creating the engine myself would benefit me a lot more than using one someone else has made.

"Also there aren't exactly hordes of 3D experienced VB coders out there and if you want to do an MMO in any language you're going to need help."
I know I will need lots of help. Once I get to that point, I am going to start VERY small, I'm not going to create a full MMORPG. I just want to learn how to do it, mainly. Then maybe I'll consider making a full MMORPG, if I can get some good help.

I have already looked into a little bit of C++, and learned the basic syntax for if statements, loops, etc. But thats about as far as I got. I have heard of http://www.cprogramming.com, which is supposedly a good site for learning C++, and it looks like it has some OpenGL tutorials. If I decide to go with C++, I will probably try this site to start with, and see how good it is. Does anyone have any opinions on it, or any other good sites for learning C++?

At the very least, you might as well upgrade to VB.net 2005. Visual Studios 2005 is free now, so it's not even going to cost you anything. VB 6 is pretty ancient as far as compuers go.

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Original post by Anonymous Poster Some suggested C#, but that offers no advantage over Java. The language is getting more and more complex at each new version, it's going to be more complex than C++ soon, and runs only on Windows.

C# has many desirable language features that Java does not; C# will probably never be as complex as C++; C# does run on many platforms (see Mono)

VB net can also do managed directx like C#.

AP do you have to bring up the subject in every thread? especially when it's getting off-topic besides you're only showing us just how clueless you really are about the subject. If you try to say I am a .NET/C# fanboy you're even more cluesless than I initially thought.

[Edited by - snk_kid on September 5, 2006 4:45:03 PM]

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Original post by Anonymous Poster Mono is a piece of software unsuited for any serious application development, and since the topic here is gaming he WON'T be able to use it for any game programming since DirectX is Windows only.

Umm.... no.

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Original post by Anonymous Poster Mono is a piece of software unsuited for any serious application development, and since the topic here is gaming he WON'T be able to use it for any game programming since DirectX is Windows only. ...

Login to your account and check your PMs.

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Original post by Anonymous Poster Maybe C++, if you want to know what's most used today in game development, or Java. I think no matter what language you use you will need to retool your mind from VB.

So then if I want to pursue game programming as a career, wouldn't C++ or Java be the best choice since it is what is usually used?

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Original post by Eddy999999 So then if I want to pursue game programming as a career, wouldn't C++ or Java be the best choice since it is what is usually used?

I would say if you want a career in game programming, C++ would pretty much be a requirement.

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Original post by Eddy999999 So then if I want to pursue game programming as a career, wouldn't C++ or Java be the best choice since it is what is usually used?

As mentioned, C++ is the de facto standard for game development. You will definately need to learn it at some point. Like some others here, though, I think that C# is a great transition language (particularly for VB coders), and it is also going to be increasingly useful for game developers in the coming years. Many (most?) studios are now using it for tool development, and it very well could gain momentum as a full-blown development language in the near future.

The important thing is to get up and running making games quickly. I think C# may be a good way to get going, because you have access to Managed DirectX and the new XNA framework (which will allow you to run your games on the XB 360, with some caveats).

Alright, I guess I'll try C# for now, and eventually move onto C++. Does anyone know of any good beginner tuts for C#? I'll try searching on google, but if anyone knows of any particularly good ones, I would appreciate it.

C# is different programming language than C++, it's more related to Java, than to C++. You could as well start with Java tutorial, and Bruce Eckel books, and then transit to C++.

However I listened the learning C familly of languages is rather harsh for people with your background.

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Original post by Eddy999999 My question is, should I stick with VB6

No, Microsoft would be stopping support for VB6 completely if they could. It's been frozen.

As for language choice, time to start reading up and figuring out what's best for you. If you've got a Xbox 360 I would point you towards XNA, if you want to program mobile phone games I'd point you towards Java. If you want to drop yourself in the deep end and learn something that's currently all the rage in most game dev houses, I'd point you towards C++.

VB .Net is a very different beast to VB6, but perhaps it would be easiest for you to pick up. There are certainly lots of articles about, and things in the MSDN to tell you how x is done in VB6, but how it might be done in VB .Net.

Point is to experiment and find out what's best for you and your project.

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Original post by Raghar C# is different programming language than C++, it's more related to Java, than to C++. You could as well start with Java tutorial, and Bruce Eckel books, and then transit to C++. However I listened the learning C familly of languages is rather harsh for people with your background.

Isn't Java mainly used for networking type programs, and multiplayer games and stuff like that? Also, I don't really have money right now for books, considering I'm only 14, so I have to pretty much learn everything from the internet, from other people, self-teaching, looking at examples, etc.

EDIT: Also, I have Visual Studio, which contains VC++. What is the difference between C++ and VC++?

[Edited by - Eddy999999 on September 6, 2006 11:46:44 AM]

C++ is a language, VC++ is an IDE for developing programs in C++. It's like comparing apples to oranges.

So what exactly does VC++ do? from what I've seen, it just helps you organize/edit your code, compile it and debug it. Is this correct?