madmat
Joined: 12th Apr 2009
Posts: 320
 Coding. What language first?
Hey, I just wanted to know what language should i learn first? I wanna eventually get to learn c++. Should i start off with VB or something else just to get the general knowledge and format of code? If Apollo, Sausage, Addison, Hollow, Desmond, Plasma can shed some light on this discussion then
that would be very helpful.
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Desmond
Joined: 7th Jun 2010
Posts: 2424
Re: Coding. What language first?
Personally I learned basic languages first but if you know what language you want to learn (like you do) then I'd grab a book on it and start from the basics. basics of C/C++ would start you of writing console
applications. Win32 API is a lot harder and would be in an advanced book.
Definatly start with basic console applications in C++. I found this site to be very helpful when I first started and I still look back at it now and again as a guide. http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/.
Good luck with it :)
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13 years, 42 weeks ago
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madmat
Joined: 12th Apr 2009
Posts: 320
Re: Coding. What language first?
I did start reading a c++ tutorial ages ago but it wasn't sinking in as good as i thought. Is there anyway I can practice, Like a practical side of it aswell, Because I seem to learn things better whilst doing them. EOserv Revs are c++ coded yea?
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DanScott
Joined: 19th Aug 2010
Posts: 1212
Re: Coding. What language first?
I started with pascal :P Only because that's what we were being taught, I went from basic stuff to some more complex things built up on the little things I learnt, I made application after application to
practiceprogramming until I got pretty good at it (at least I like to think so ;) ) This would be a basic program using the pascal and it's syntax
program helloWorld; {Declaring the program name}
uses crt; {Pascal equivalent of #include in C++ I always include this as it has some predefined functions}
var s: string; {declaring a variable 's' as a string}
begin {All your 'coding' must be done between a begin and an end. for the main part of your program}
clrscr; {Clears the console}
s:='Hello world'; {Defining a variable}
writeln(s); {Writes the string stored in the variable 's' (Hello world) }
readln; {pauses the program and waits for user input}
end. {terminates the program}
so as you can see it's all pretty basic syntax and it's a relatively nice language to use, so there you are. Pascal at it's most basic :P ---
If money doesn't grow on trees, then why do banks have branches?
13 years, 42 weeks ago
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Desmond
Joined: 7th Jun 2010
Posts: 2424
Re: Coding. What language first?
Yes, EOServ is C++. Take a look at the code but don't let it put you off :P
DanScott, Use Preformatted text under [Style]
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13 years, 42 weeks ago
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madmat
Joined: 12th Apr 2009
Posts: 320
Re: Coding. What language first?
So i've heard vult-r made eo using pascal yes? But sausage re-coded to c++?
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Desmond
Joined: 7th Jun 2010
Posts: 2424
Re: Coding. What language first?
No EO was written in C++ using BCB Tools. It's the noobie way of making a game xD ---
I am an alien and not crazy!
13 years, 42 weeks ago
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madmat
Joined: 12th Apr 2009
Posts: 320
Re: Coding. What language first?
Wow interesting. Well i'm gonna try start off straight with c++ using that guide you posted, btw is it worth looking into microsofts visual studio 2010 c++ express. Would that help with projects and things?
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Desmond
Joined: 7th Jun 2010
Posts: 2424
Re: Coding. What language first?
It will help when you cant be bothered to make Windows GUI's yourself. If you are learning so that you can one day work with eoserv source then I'd suggest Code::Blocks. However you will be a long way from that if you want to learn properly so choose whatever IDE you like the best. Either way
you will still be coding in C/C++. ---
I am an alien and not crazy!
13 years, 42 weeks ago
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madmat
Joined: 12th Apr 2009
Posts: 320
Re: Coding. What language first?
Yea i want to work with EOserv and other possible game code. So codeblocks is the way to practice and then compile it and just look at errors and work off them to make them correct yea =]? I found another good site that is c++ for games.
http://www.cppgameprogramming.com/
My journey begins. lol
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Arcitex
Joined: 15th Mar 2009
Posts: 389
Re: Coding. What language first?
madmat posted: (18th Jul 2011 11:48 am)
So i've heard vult-r made eo using pascal yes? But sausage re-coded to c++?
No, EO was originally coded in C++.
In learning "how to program" the language isn't the most important thing. I would say that the more of an aptitude you have for programming the less important your first language is. Any good programmer will expose
himself to a myriad of languages and technologies.
Generally speaking, better programmers will have a good ability to think abstractly, and consequently the language you're implementing your thought into isn't necessarily the most important thing. I've seen it happen
before where people focus way too much on the specific aspects of a language, or a technology, and they miss the big picture. It's really important to think above the code. You don't think in code naturally, and as such you won't think most efficiently in it. Be able to think well, and then have a
strong ability to use given methodology to communicate that.
So what I'm saying is, suppose you have a given task to complete. First think of how (logically) you would want to accomplish that task. Then use your knowledge of a specific programming language to implement that
thought. In this way, learning a new programming language is simply adding another filter that translates your thoughts into a solution in a given language. Once you understand the abstract concepts of programming, adding a new language to your repertoire consists of easy things like learning the
syntax, intricacies, etc.. That's the easy part.
That being said, I'll try to answer the question a bit more specifically: Because you're learning on your own I think it's important that you choose a language whose learning curve isn't too rough. Of course it depends
on the person, but because I don't know you I'm writing this for an average person. Because you're not taking a formal course that would require you to push through, if you choose something that is too difficult you may just give up. For example, in learning C++ you're not only learning how to
program, you're necessarily learning a lot about other stuff as well. You're need to learn how to operate a compiler, etc.. So there's definitely a steeper learning curve there. On the other hand, if you go with a simpler interpreted language like PHP it's very easy to execute code. Simply download
a xamp package, install it, and begin writing PHP scripts. Because of the lower learning curve and the fact that you're learning on your own, this may be the best route for you.
In summary, in learning C++ you would necessarily learn a lot more in general, which is good, but because you're learning on your own and not forced by means of a formal course to learn, it might be a better idea to
stick with an easy language you won't feel overwhelmed by; for example, PHP.
Good luck. (Oh and if you do decide to go with PHP there's a great help forum @ http://phpfreaks.com/forums)
13 years, 42 weeks ago
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Desmond
Joined: 7th Jun 2010
Posts: 2424
Re: Coding. What language first?
I wouldn't just jump strait into games but if you want to make a game then I'd suggest using allegro. You can find information on compiling EOServ in the wiki section. ---
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13 years, 42 weeks ago
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madmat
Joined: 12th Apr 2009
Posts: 320
Re: Coding. What language first?
Okay, so im starting from scratch i don't know anything about coding, syntax or anything haha. But i want to focus on EOserv, like i wanna make my server unique but i don't know how to code or compile but im really really interested in it. So from experience where should i start from? Should i
look at the revs and look at the code and use a tutorial on the side to help me understand what the code is doing?
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13 years, 42 weeks ago
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Desmond
Joined: 7th Jun 2010
Posts: 2424
Re: Coding. What language first?
Well, You could download the source code. I haven't looked at it in ages so I cannot remember if it's commented but hey, It's worth a try. ---
I am an alien and not crazy!
13 years, 42 weeks ago
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Arcitex
Joined: 15th Mar 2009
Posts: 389
Re: Coding. What language first?
To be honest, if you're really interested in learning how to program that's probably not the best route. If your goal is to "have the best eoserv server", you're probably not going to become a good programmer.
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