6 ms·

I want to get into programming

4 points by james3 14y ago

I have no background in programming but after a fruitless search for a software program i decided to write it myself. ==what i need to do== write a program which will run sort of like most games do today -I want to make a 2D graphic interface, and there will be hefty amounts of physics, object editing, pre-scripted simulation and the possibility of editing objects and rules as the program is running Eventually i would like to make a 3d version but that seems like it would be very hard. Could I get some direction with this? What program language would be best to use? is it an impossible goal to do this with no experience? I appreciate any help

zellio 14y ago
I cannot figure out what it is you are trying to do. You say you want a 2D graphic interface but you don't say what to. You say you will utilize a "hefty" amount of objects and physics but you don't say why. Lack of experience isn't going to kill this project, lack of a spec will. Learning to program is like any other skill, put the time and effort into it and you can learn, but if you have no idea what you are trying to do you'll get no where.
- james3 14y ago
  i have a very specific idea in mind, but im not going to divulge it to the world. i described what i thought was relevant to one of my questions: which programming language would be best/easiest to write my concept in.
  - rman666 14y ago
    Ideas have no real value. Execution is what matters. As for a language: my gut reaction is that you'd be best served by learning HTML5 canvas and Javascript.
  - rukshn 14y ago
    but without understanding your concept how can anyone answer you? Even i didn't get what you want
  - Wilduck 14y ago
    You claim to have no background in programming. Then how can you know what is "relevant to one of my questions: which programming language would be best/easiest to write my concept in"? Programmers (I'm generalizing here) don't like to be presented with XY problems[1]. What you've done here is decided that the best solution to your problem, X (which you haven't described to us) is Y (learn a programming language), so you're asking us about what programming language to learn. The reason we don't like these sorts of questions is because there could be a solution to X, that is more effective, or much easier to explain than Y. You're not going to get helpful answers to your question "what programming language should I learn" because we absolutely don't have enough information to decide if learning to program is your best bet. Let alone how you should go about learning to program. It's like you're asking us "I have a great idea for how to win at racecars, it involves taking apart the engine. What socket set should I buy?" Sure, there are better and worse socket sets, but that's not really the relevant question at this point. All of that being said: Learn Python. [1] http://www.perlmonks.org/index.pl?node_id=542341 http://www.perlmonks.org/index.pl?node_id=542341
    - james3 14y ago
      Then i guess i should have a much more vague yet precise question. Going off your last sentence, it seems that you may have misunderstood me. I know that there is no such thing as the 'best' tool, best strategy or best language or what have you. My dad owns a workshop filled with hundreds of tools and machines. There is simply no best tool, each tool or machine is designed for a very specific use in a very specific situation and from what I have read on HN that seems to be the case with programming as well. I remember reading an article linked on HN discussing different programming languages and one quote in particular shocked me, "what can be done in one language may take two lines of code, but done in another the same task can take a thousand lines of code." This is what led me to ask the question 'what language should i learn.' I'll do my best to further describe what i want to accomplish, but first watch this video of a program called gource http://bit.ly/UHcc9w From what i have read about gource it seems that two rules define the interaction between the dots and the lines to create very complex and sometimes mesmerizing behavior. A) All dots project a repelling force which only affects other dots B) Lines, which represent file directories, provide a sort of skeleton between dots. They are modeled with an attracting force affecting each dot on either end of a line. What I want to do is create (or find) software which allows users to quickly and easily create simulations of objects in an environment which can also be defined by the user. (think mine-craft, but you can now play god with the laws of physics, create new sets of rules, forces ect.) http://bit.ly/UHentV http://bit.ly/UHentV But i would want this program to operate on two levels of complexity. I would want to have fun and experiment with familiar concepts, like gravity, wind, light, ect. but in an easy and accessible way. However i would also want the ability to create abstract system with odd rules defined by modifiers, object archetypes, environmental effects and object states. I want to replicate the behavior of a light wave with all the glorious physics equations which would come along with that. I would want the software to be flexible. For a very rough idea of what i have in mind look at the scribblenauts unlimited object attribute editor here http://bit.ly/11ts1n7 http://bit.ly/11ts1n7 sorry for the wall of text, i did my best to explain.
rman666 14y ago
Watch this video and see if it can help you explain better what you want to do. You might also do a Google search for terms like: HTML5 canvas physics game
dragonbonheur 14y ago
You want fast results while learning the good foundations of any programming language, so learn BASIC, seriously. You have ZERO hope of achieving what you want in a reasonable timeframe with any other language that anyone may suggest here. They'll suggest python, javascript, C++, some will even suggest LISP but dream on :) Download DarkBASIC here: http://www.thegamecreators.com/?id=2000&m=view_product&page=free http://www.thegamecreators.com/?id=2000&m=view_product&#... It's free, fast, it has 3D, 2D commands and everything you might wish for.
- james3 14y ago
  or ill do something stupid and try to learn 2 languages at once :) thanks
- unimpressive 14y ago
  Poes law?
dgozick 14y ago
I'd choose Processing for quicker results. http://processingjs.org/ http://processingjs.org/ http://processing.org/ http://processing.org/
miriadis 14y ago
If you want to develop a desktop/downloadable game for Windows/Linux/Mac I can recommend you BlitzBasic (http://blitzbasic.com http://blitzbasic.com) . It's Basic, it's very easy to learn and allows you to create 2D and 3D games. The compiled code runs very fast. You can check out a lot of examples on the website.
looper42 14y ago
Since you are concerned about revealing what you have in your mind, it would be preferable to talk to someone in you network directly. Because without any proper spec, giving direction might take to entirely other path which might not take to your goal.
suomikatzen 14y ago
Start with C SDL if you only want to do 2D stuff. Pygame is pretty good, too!

4 points by james3 14y ago

zellio 14y ago

I cannot figure out what it is you are trying to do. You say you want a 2D graphic interface but you don't say what to. You say you will utilize a "hefty" amount of objects and physics but you don't say why. Lack of experience isn't going to kill this project, lack of a spec will. Learning to program is like any other skill, put the time and effort into it and you can learn, but if you have no idea what you are trying to do you'll get no where.

james3 14y ago
i have a very specific idea in mind, but im not going to divulge it to the world. i described what i thought was relevant to one of my questions: which programming language would be best/easiest to write my concept in.
- rman666 14y ago
  Ideas have no real value. Execution is what matters. As for a language: my gut reaction is that you'd be best served by learning HTML5 canvas and Javascript.
- rukshn 14y ago
  but without understanding your concept how can anyone answer you? Even i didn't get what you want
- Wilduck 14y ago
  You claim to have no background in programming. Then how can you know what is "relevant to one of my questions: which programming language would be best/easiest to write my concept in"? Programmers (I'm generalizing here) don't like to be presented with XY problems[1]. What you've done here is decided that the best solution to your problem, X (which you haven't described to us) is Y (learn a programming language), so you're asking us about what programming language to learn. The reason we don't like these sorts of questions is because there could be a solution to X, that is more effective, or much easier to explain than Y. You're not going to get helpful answers to your question "what programming language should I learn" because we absolutely don't have enough information to decide if learning to program is your best bet. Let alone how you should go about learning to program. It's like you're asking us "I have a great idea for how to win at racecars, it involves taking apart the engine. What socket set should I buy?" Sure, there are better and worse socket sets, but that's not really the relevant question at this point. All of that being said: Learn Python. [1] http://www.perlmonks.org/index.pl?node_id=542341 http://www.perlmonks.org/index.pl?node_id=542341
  - james3 14y ago
    Then i guess i should have a much more vague yet precise question. Going off your last sentence, it seems that you may have misunderstood me. I know that there is no such thing as the 'best' tool, best strategy or best language or what have you. My dad owns a workshop filled with hundreds of tools and machines. There is simply no best tool, each tool or machine is designed for a very specific use in a very specific situation and from what I have read on HN that seems to be the case with programming as well. I remember reading an article linked on HN discussing different programming languages and one quote in particular shocked me, "what can be done in one language may take two lines of code, but done in another the same task can take a thousand lines of code." This is what led me to ask the question 'what language should i learn.' I'll do my best to further describe what i want to accomplish, but first watch this video of a program called gource http://bit.ly/UHcc9w From what i have read about gource it seems that two rules define the interaction between the dots and the lines to create very complex and sometimes mesmerizing behavior. A) All dots project a repelling force which only affects other dots B) Lines, which represent file directories, provide a sort of skeleton between dots. They are modeled with an attracting force affecting each dot on either end of a line. What I want to do is create (or find) software which allows users to quickly and easily create simulations of objects in an environment which can also be defined by the user. (think mine-craft, but you can now play god with the laws of physics, create new sets of rules, forces ect.) http://bit.ly/UHentV http://bit.ly/UHentV But i would want this program to operate on two levels of complexity. I would want to have fun and experiment with familiar concepts, like gravity, wind, light, ect. but in an easy and accessible way. However i would also want the ability to create abstract system with odd rules defined by modifiers, object archetypes, environmental effects and object states. I want to replicate the behavior of a light wave with all the glorious physics equations which would come along with that. I would want the software to be flexible. For a very rough idea of what i have in mind look at the scribblenauts unlimited object attribute editor here http://bit.ly/11ts1n7 http://bit.ly/11ts1n7 sorry for the wall of text, i did my best to explain.

rman666 14y ago

Watch this video and see if it can help you explain better what you want to do. You might also do a Google search for terms like: HTML5 canvas physics game

dragonbonheur 14y ago

You want fast results while learning the good foundations of any programming language, so learn BASIC, seriously. You have ZERO hope of achieving what you want in a reasonable timeframe with any other language that anyone may suggest here. They'll suggest python, javascript, C++, some will even suggest LISP but dream on :) Download DarkBASIC here: http://www.thegamecreators.com/?id=2000&m=view_product&page=free http://www.thegamecreators.com/?id=2000&m=view_product&#... It's free, fast, it has 3D, 2D commands and everything you might wish for.

james3 14y ago
or ill do something stupid and try to learn 2 languages at once :) thanks
unimpressive 14y ago
Poes law?

dgozick 14y ago

I'd choose Processing for quicker results. http://processingjs.org/ http://processingjs.org/ http://processing.org/ http://processing.org/

miriadis 14y ago

If you want to develop a desktop/downloadable game for Windows/Linux/Mac I can recommend you BlitzBasic (http://blitzbasic.com http://blitzbasic.com) . It's Basic, it's very easy to learn and allows you to create 2D and 3D games. The compiled code runs very fast. You can check out a lot of examples on the website.

looper42 14y ago

Since you are concerned about revealing what you have in your mind, it would be preferable to talk to someone in you network directly. Because without any proper spec, giving direction might take to entirely other path which might not take to your goal.

suomikatzen 14y ago

Start with C SDL if you only want to do 2D stuff. Pygame is pretty good, too!