Thread: Prog. Langauge Questions Relating to Game Programming

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    Prog. Langauge Questions Relating to Game Programming

    I've been programming in C++ for a year now(C for about half of it). I want to learn a new langauge and come back to C++ if I see a need to. I want to use a language that's good for Game Programming.

    (I don't want to start a flame war). Is C# more productive than C++ in terms of game programming when not using Visual C# .net(I need a free compiler not sure which one yet). I heard it's like Java, are the languages similar? I guess what I'm asking is, what's an easy language that is more productive than C++ for Game Development for the most part I might make a few apps with it.

    I've articles regarding the 3 but I still can't choose. Any useful article link regarding this questions will be helpful.
    Thir is really importatn to me.

    Thanks in advance for any help I might recieve.

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    what's an easy language that is more productive than C++ for Game Development
    C

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    I've already used C, it's not much different than C++ in a lot of things. I'm more looking for something differnt than easy, I just want to make games without all the difficulty(well not difficulty more like time consuming) as C++ and C.

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    Rabite SirCrono6's Avatar
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    Hmm... do you mean like a language designed for making games? Well, the Google directory has a nice section about game development (I guess it's nice ).

    http://directory.google.com/Top/Game..._and_Software/

    That should be of use. It has some programs that have languages for making games. I don't see the point though, I'd probably go with C/C++.

    - SirCrono6
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    Great graphics, sounds, algorithms, AI, pathfinding, visual effects, cutscenes, etc., etc. do NOT make a good game.
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    I just want to make games without all the difficulty
    I highly doubt you'd get very far with that attitude, no offense, but you can try visual basic or dark basic

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    I don't see a reason why I won't get far with that. Well for now I won't because I want to use a langauge that's not difficualt to learn(C++ wasn't difficualt to learn, just time consuming) I want one that's as easy as C++ but not as time consuming. I just want to learn a language that can be useful, I read a lot of business programming requirements and a lot of them don't use C++, the use things like VB and C#, I do want to focus on game programming which is my point, but I think it would be useful to learn something else. I don't want to have to always use a whole bunch of libraries all the time, I do make my own but that's even more time consuming. So if I feel I needed C++ for the speed or some other reason for a certain program I would use it, if I feel I should use Java or C#(I have to know to know if I want to use it) I could use that. And I would have more knowledge of different langauges also.

    So I want to make a few games that with the langauge I chose won't take as long as it would with C++. I'm mainly wondering right now is if C# or Java is more suited for game development. I definitely will use C++ in the future but fo rnow I want to learn another language for reasons stated above.

    I will look for more info(I already have looked for a few hours). I might use C# if it's good for game dev and if I can find a good free IDE almost as good as Visual C#, if it takes away from the productivity it has, then it defeats the whole point of using it. I don't want to buy that just yet. Is there a reason to use Java it you don't want to program all of your games as applets?

    Thanks anyways for the replies.
    Last edited by ???; 03-14-2004 at 12:06 AM.

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    I just want to make games without all the difficulty

    Impossible. Period.

    Lose this attitude and you will do much better.

    As far as game programing goes - C/C++ and assembly. Period.

  8. #8
    mov.w #$1337,D0 Jeremy G's Avatar
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    Job specifications call for programs like Vb & similer due to the high need for UI and low need for efficiency. Java, VB, C##, J++ they all have something in comon, suckness for size/efficiency. With some sense of irony, game programming is EASIEST with C/C## becuase you have better(faster/efficient) code that can handle your content faster(better/efficiently) but its still not an EASY job.. Programming is not an EASY hobby. Deal with it.
    c++->visualc++->directx->opengl->c++;
    (it should be realized my posts are all in a light hearted manner. And should not be taken offense to.)

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    Confused Magos's Avatar
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    Making games without difficulty? Have you tried the Games Factory?
    MagosX.com

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    In my second post I said I don't mean easy. Just as easy as C++ but not as much things you have to do, not just higher.

    I WILL use C++ later if I feel the need to. I don't really care if it's the most used language(well I do, I mean the most use language other than C++).

    My 2 questions are.

    Is Java useful if you're not going to be using applets that much?

    Is C# good for games(meaning does it take less time to code games)?

    About that game factory, I care more about programming than making games(not playing them). but I want to program mostlyY games, but some toehr apps too.

    That's what I'm asking. I think C++ is easy. It was my second language(C was my first, learned it when I was 13)
    I just want to try something else that's as good for game programming. Just to try it out, so I can have a higher knowledge of different languages(I've only done C and C++). I don't care if it's a little bit slower, because I don't plan on doing 3D games soon(I don't think I know enough math).

    I still might stick with C++. I don't really know where I want to go right now in terms of programming. I want to program games and also some apps occasionally. I think I might just take a break from C++ and in a month or less I will pick up a good(possibly free book). I was hoping to learn another language for a while. I will stick with C++, unless I find a good C# ide and think it's good for games. I just don't know. I do want to program rts and if it's to slow I might not be able to. Although I still want to program small games.

    Tjat wasn't a very well thought out post, but in short I don't know what I want to do.
    Last edited by ???; 03-14-2004 at 09:18 AM.

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    C##
    eh?

    I think that you will find there is no real quick way to make a game. I found that the fastest way to 'make a game' was to make maps for the half life (well, glquake) game engine, which involved no programming whatsoever. If you want to actually *program your own games*, then you'll find that visual basic will only help with designing the layouts, but actually programming the playable game will be more difficult than you thought.

    EDIT:
    As far as game programing goes - C/C++ and assembly. Period.
    I don't know about assembly, in fact for a newbie I'd say stay away from it, and it is true C and C++ are more difficult to make win32 stuff with, but they're still ultimately the best. However, like I said, look more at visual basic and darkbasic. Java would probably be good to look into as well. Heck, you can even make some stuff with qbasic if you want.

    EDIT1: I think you'll find that not a ton of people on these boards have used Java for making games (although I'm sure a few have) and even less for C#. Also remember that in order for c# to run the client must have the .net framework, which is a pain in the ass (nobody will download the .net framework to run your game)
    Last edited by Silvercord; 03-14-2004 at 09:17 AM.

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    Ok thanks for the reply. I might just continiue with C++.

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    Basically if you want fast games, you'll use C++ and DirectX/OpenGL. Thats your best choice, period. Prepare yourself for headaches and thousands of lines of code just for a framework of your game.

    If you want to make a game quickly and without much hassle, you'll use C# using GDI+ (its not that terribly slow, but still ). DirectX still isn't 100% compatible with C# and even when it is, it won't be as fast as if you were using C++. Prepare yourself for low efficiency and speed loss.

    Unless you want to make web games where you could choose Flash, Macromedia, or Java, C++ is your choice. In general, C# is more productive for general-purpose applications.

    If you don't want to spend lots of money on VS.NET, I suggest you get SharpDevelop (free C# IDE: http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/) and download the free .NET SDK from Microsoft.

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    I've pretty much decided(not sure really). I just downloaded C# builder(surprised it was free) and I'm going to try out C#. I will probably also look into that #develop. If I think it's good, I will continue using it, and using C++ if I want better performance.

    So I plan to use both of them. Unless I don't like C# then I would stick wtih C++ until probably C# 2.0 comes.

  15. #15
    Confused Magos's Avatar
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    If you find gameprogramming overwhelming try to get a better structure on it. As an example, before starting on the actual game make a graphics class that does things like drawing sprites and stuff with simple commands, like Graphics.DrawSprite(int X, int Y, MYSPRITE Sprite);

    Then when designing the actual game you don't have to dive into DirectX details. Also, this graphics class (engine) can be used for other games you make too.
    MagosX.com

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