It is indeed <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
coding: <a href='http://newdata.box.sk/bx/c/htm/ch01.htm' target='_blank'>http://newdata.box.sk/bx/c/htm/ch01.htm</a> hl coding: <a href='http://hlci.telefragged.com/' target='_blank'>http://hlci.telefragged.com/</a> use the links on the telefragged page or google for more
animation? search for milkshape, there are lot of tutorials on their homepage
Depends on what language you want to code in - if you want to do HL coding then you need to know C++
My advice - go purchase "Teach Yourself C++ in 21 days" - it is an excellent start. After that the book itself recommends the next steps you need to take.
Java is a good starting language, too. It's a good way to jump into Object Oriented Programming. You should defnitely learn C++, though, it's the most popular language around right now.
Java and C++ are not good starting languages, as they are both quite complex.
For absolute starting out to any sort of programming whatsoever, I recommend Visual Basic. While most "true programmers" look down on it, it is great for beginners as it lets you see immediate and practical results, giving you a better sense of accomplishment. After you get VB down, then you can venture onto C++ or Java. I highly recommend you do C++ *FIRST* before java, that way you can understand a bit what more java is doing on in the background. After that, if you are feeling adverterous, pick up a book on Assembly ;) It'll let you really know what's going on behind the scenes..
About the actual learning process, don't bother w/ online tutorials. Take a college class, and/or buy a book. Do NOT buy "Learn C++ In 21 Days". You will not. While yes thinner books are better than thicker books when doing a report, its the thick books that have a lot of content in them. So pick up a good Visual Basic book, and it should even have a free disc on it w/ the learning edition of VB. Book will prolly run you $30 or so. *DO NOT* buy any books about "Visual C++" because that simply teaches you Microsoft's own little windows things (MFC) and not the pure C++ language itself.
Oh, and don't even think about trying to code a HL mod, or any other game mod. You'll just be setting yourself up for failure. You gotta learn to crawl before you can run the 500 meter dash. ;)
If you have any questions about programming, feel free to ask here or on IRC, as there are many l33t hax0r c0d3rs here whom can help ya.
Regardless of where you start - the good news is C++ isnt going anywhere for many many years so you can easily catch up on the learning curve.
As doom said, start small. I've been programming in VB for years and I STILL have a problem with C++. I just cant understand algorithisms. But hell even Einstein failed math ;-)
ThansalThe New ScumJoin Date: 2002-08-22Member: 1215Members, Constellation
ti-83+ HA! ;D then went on to mipps and other fun assembly/near assembly level stuff ;D
but, yah I guess starting low is a decent idea.
Oh and as for learning a real language in under a month? very much so doable if either: 1) it is all you are doiing (wich I might do next year) or 2) you already know how to code and you are simply learning another language (like knowing c++ and going to java)
I guess my one problem with VB was that I did teach my self (some of) it, and I just found it realy boring (It was the first language I tried to learn back in HS)
ThansalThe New ScumJoin Date: 2002-08-22Member: 1215Members, Constellation
hehe /me is start uo coder (I am a first year CS major ;D)
I have started on Java, with a prof that aint that great, however it is very, very simple to pick up and learn
One of the best things about Java is this <a href='http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4/docs/api/index.html' target='_blank'>http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4/docs/api/index.html</a> litteraly every thing Java can do. The fact that the API is O/L is very very nice, basicaly if you hit something where you are trying to make you code do X, you can generaly poke your head around in there and come up with the comand(s) that you need to make it all run.
but yah, the best way is to grab a nice thick book on either java or c+ (I don't know so much about VB, I think that C++/java would be a better start)
also for kickers, if you want "projects" to try and do in java (I know it helps me) here is the link to a very good prof's website for java (unfortunatly I did not get to take this class ;D): <a href='http://exciton.cs.oberlin.edu/cs150/' target='_blank'>http://exciton.cs.oberlin.edu/cs150/</a> and some more info (same source): <a href='http://exciton.cs.oberlin.edu/JavaResources/' target='_blank'>http://exciton.cs.oberlin.edu/JavaResources/</a>
well, yah. Good luck <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Marik_SteeleTo rule in hell...Join Date: 2002-11-20Member: 9466Members
edited February 2003
I agree with DOOManiac's post above. Start small.
Visual Basic is an extremely good starter language. Just look at programs like NSMapMon at <a href='http://www.tribes2maps.com/ns/nsmapmon.html' target='_blank'>http://www.tribes2maps.com/ns/nsmapmon.html</a> . Apparently the whole thing was made in Visual Basic. It's less complex than mast of the programs you may use every day: contact a server whose IP the user enters, find a picture file that corresponds to the map name, and show it. Repeat every 10 seconds. Yet as simple as it is, it serves a purpose -- when you're all good and ready for it, you want your progams to do that, don't you?
That's what DOOManiac meant by "immediate and practical results." I've been in programming classes in my high school for the past year and a half in java and C++. I'll tell you right now: getting "taught" the traditional way (which has its pros and cons) or teaching yourself very thoroughly will start you at the rock-bottom of simplicity. How simple? For <b>many</b> people, myself included, the very first program is one that spits out "hello world" or other random text to a DOS-like command prompt, and exits. Period. Stupid? Yes. Useless? Of course. A program? Well, not an impressive one, but a start, and that's all you need to do something one step up.
I also agree with DOOManiac on another point, truly *learning* any half-decent programming language in less than a month is bordering on the physically impossible. When you write something, you should know *why* you're writing it; what does that line of code makes the computer do? When you can answer that question for each and every line you've typed yourself, you're that much closer to being able to do bigger and better things -- but back to the first line if my post, keep the steps small.
DY357LXPlaying since day 1. Still can't Comm.EnglandJoin Date: 2002-10-27Member: 1651Members, Constellation
I feel I should post this here. I started using C++ on Friday. It's a struggle but i'm slowly but surely getting there. My advice to ANYONE interested in this kinda thing is to have a quick look around at C (not C++) got for C first as there's litterally millions of books and tutorials. I've been told by dozens of people that i've "jumped in at the deep end"...... After reading the first chapter of this £10 i understand why. But i'm a patient person with a fair bit of spare time, so i'll stick with it. Here's what i've managed so far, it's nothing special, but it's a start.
[WHO]ThemYou can call me DaveJoin Date: 2002-12-11Member: 10593Members, Constellation
just fyi, if you're going to start with C or C++ then don't worry much about the distinction. 90% of ppl that think they're using c++ are actually using stuff that would work in plain old C with only 1 or 2 slight modifications.
So what's my point ? Regardless of whether you're trying to code for plain old C or C++, use a C++ compiler, it's usually more flexible about the language than a regular C compiler.
and if you're going to self teach, here's one invaluable lesson that you CANNOT LEARN WITHOUT. Always. always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always study other programs and their sourcecode that are at your level as much as possible. So get your hands on a "hello world" application and just stare at that sourcecode until you get whats going on.
As soon as you have some clue what's kinda sorta going on, DO NOT start a new program from scratch, take that old one and tweak it. Make small changes. Make absolutely sure you know what's going on before you move up a level.
DY357LXPlaying since day 1. Still can't Comm.EnglandJoin Date: 2002-10-27Member: 1651Members, Constellation
Yeah I did a "Hello World!" application, well I did a "Please work!" application <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo--> The code is slowly but sure sinking in to my brain <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo--> Probably the most satisfying way to learn
ThansalThe New ScumJoin Date: 2002-08-22Member: 1215Members, Constellation
very true, the best thing about programing is that when you do sometihng and it works it is REALY satisfying
the best feeling however is when you actualy wrap your mind around a difficult piece of what not that you were having a hard time with (I have been known to code for about 10 hrs strait just to get one thing to work, and its FUN)
C++ is different than C in some forms, especially since C++ can be OOP and C cannot. For C a struct is just a regular old struct, but in C++ a struct is actually a class w/ public being the default access type rather than private.
Comments
<a href='http://newdata.box.sk/bx/c/htm/ch01.htm' target='_blank'>http://newdata.box.sk/bx/c/htm/ch01.htm</a>
hl coding:
<a href='http://hlci.telefragged.com/' target='_blank'>http://hlci.telefragged.com/</a>
use the links on the telefragged page or google for more
animation?
search for milkshape,
there are lot of tutorials on their homepage
<b>***Phased to Off-topic***</b>
My advice - go purchase "Teach Yourself C++ in 21 days" - it is an excellent start. After that the book itself recommends the next steps you need to take.
Self paced learning like this is the way to go.
For absolute starting out to any sort of programming whatsoever, I recommend Visual Basic. While most "true programmers" look down on it, it is great for beginners as it lets you see immediate and practical results, giving you a better sense of accomplishment. After you get VB down, then you can venture onto C++ or Java. I highly recommend you do C++ *FIRST* before java, that way you can understand a bit what more java is doing on in the background. After that, if you are feeling adverterous, pick up a book on Assembly ;) It'll let you really know what's going on behind the scenes..
About the actual learning process, don't bother w/ online tutorials. Take a college class, and/or buy a book. Do NOT buy "Learn C++ In 21 Days". You will not. While yes thinner books are better than thicker books when doing a report, its the thick books that have a lot of content in them. So pick up a good Visual Basic book, and it should even have a free disc on it w/ the learning edition of VB. Book will prolly run you $30 or so. *DO NOT* buy any books about "Visual C++" because that simply teaches you Microsoft's own little windows things (MFC) and not the pure C++ language itself.
Oh, and don't even think about trying to code a HL mod, or any other game mod. You'll just be setting yourself up for failure. You gotta learn to crawl before you can run the 500 meter dash. ;)
If you have any questions about programming, feel free to ask here or on IRC, as there are many l33t hax0r c0d3rs here whom can help ya.
As doom said, start small. I've been programming in VB for years and I STILL have a problem with C++. I just cant understand algorithisms. But hell even Einstein failed math ;-)
then went on to mipps and other fun assembly/near assembly level stuff ;D
but, yah I guess starting low is a decent idea.
Oh and as for learning a real language in under a month? very much so doable if either:
1) it is all you are doiing (wich I might do next year) or
2) you already know how to code and you are simply learning another language (like knowing c++ and going to java)
I guess my one problem with VB was that I did teach my self (some of) it, and I just found it realy boring (It was the first language I tried to learn back in HS)
/me is start uo coder (I am a first year CS major ;D)
I have started on Java, with a prof that aint that great, however it is very, very simple to pick up and learn
One of the best things about Java is this
<a href='http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4/docs/api/index.html' target='_blank'>http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4/docs/api/index.html</a>
litteraly every thing Java can do. The fact that the API is O/L is very very nice, basicaly if you hit something where you are trying to make you code do X, you can generaly poke your head around in there and come up with the comand(s) that you need to make it all run.
but yah, the best way is to grab a nice thick book on either java or c+ (I don't know so much about VB, I think that C++/java would be a better start)
also for kickers, if you want "projects" to try and do in java (I know it helps me) here is the link to a very good prof's website for java (unfortunatly I did not get to take this class ;D):
<a href='http://exciton.cs.oberlin.edu/cs150/' target='_blank'>http://exciton.cs.oberlin.edu/cs150/</a>
and some more info (same source):
<a href='http://exciton.cs.oberlin.edu/JavaResources/' target='_blank'>http://exciton.cs.oberlin.edu/JavaResources/</a>
well, yah.
Good luck <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Visual Basic is an extremely good starter language. Just look at programs like NSMapMon at <a href='http://www.tribes2maps.com/ns/nsmapmon.html' target='_blank'>http://www.tribes2maps.com/ns/nsmapmon.html</a> . Apparently the whole thing was made in Visual Basic. It's less complex than mast of the programs you may use every day: contact a server whose IP the user enters, find a picture file that corresponds to the map name, and show it. Repeat every 10 seconds. Yet as simple as it is, it serves a purpose -- when you're all good and ready for it, you want your progams to do that, don't you?
That's what DOOManiac meant by "immediate and practical results." I've been in programming classes in my high school for the past year and a half in java and C++. I'll tell you right now: getting "taught" the traditional way (which has its pros and cons) or teaching yourself very thoroughly will start you at the rock-bottom of simplicity. How simple? For <b>many</b> people, myself included, the very first program is one that spits out "hello world" or other random text to a DOS-like command prompt, and exits. Period. Stupid? Yes. Useless? Of course. A program? Well, not an impressive one, but a start, and that's all you need to do something one step up.
I also agree with DOOManiac on another point, truly *learning* any half-decent programming language in less than a month is bordering on the physically impossible. When you write something, you should know *why* you're writing it; what does that line of code makes the computer do? When you can answer that question for each and every line you've typed yourself, you're that much closer to being able to do bigger and better things -- but back to the first line if my post, keep the steps small.
I started using C++ on Friday. It's a struggle but i'm slowly
but surely getting there. My advice to ANYONE interested in
this kinda thing is to have a quick look around at C (not C++)
got for C first as there's litterally millions of books and tutorials.
I've been told by dozens of people that i've "jumped in at the deep
end"...... After reading the first chapter of this £10 i understand why.
But i'm a patient person with a fair bit of spare time, so i'll stick
with it. Here's what i've managed so far, it's nothing special, but it's a start.
So what's my point ? Regardless of whether you're trying to code for plain old C or C++, use a C++ compiler, it's usually more flexible about the language than a regular C compiler.
and if you're going to self teach, here's one invaluable lesson that you CANNOT LEARN WITHOUT.
Always. always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always study other programs and their sourcecode that are at your level as much as possible. So get your hands on a "hello world" application and just stare at that sourcecode until you get whats going on.
As soon as you have some clue what's kinda sorta going on, DO NOT start a new program from scratch, take that old one and tweak it. Make small changes. Make absolutely sure you know what's going on before you move up a level.
The code is slowly but sure sinking in to my brain <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
Probably the most satisfying way to learn
the best feeling however is when you actualy wrap your mind around a difficult piece of what not that you were having a hard time with (I have been known to code for about 10 hrs strait just to get one thing to work, and its FUN)
great place for game programmers
oh and DY357LX, that was C you did, not C++. :P