I don't have any previous programming experience, but I want to learn to program games with DirectX. How/where would I start to do this? A link to a tut would be great! I appreciate it.
Strike_Steel
BTW Garfield rules!!!!
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I don't have any previous programming experience, but I want to learn to program games with DirectX. How/where would I start to do this? A link to a tut would be great! I appreciate it.
Strike_Steel
BTW Garfield rules!!!!
You are aiming to high, dont worry about directX right now, just concentrate on programming something.
Im sure some of the stuff at this site will get you started programming.
What language(s) do you suggest Steel to learn? C? That seems like the logical thing to learn before the DirectX API. Isn't it built off of that?
--Garfield
ya my friend garfield says its good to get into game programming..id love to..plz help!
Eber Kain: Do you agree that Steel should start with C? That would be the best thing to do, in my opinion, to get him started, then he can go off into DirectX.
Strike_Steel: I have a "Practical C Programming" book that I can lend you. It is pretty good. It is what I learned off of. I'll give that to you, you read it, and if you don't understand something, then I can explain it.
--Garfield
Almost all serious game programming is done with C/C++, so yes he should start there. C is not the easiest launguage to learn.
I learned the synax from makeing a tribes mod, and i learned the launguage from the first few chapters of "Teach yourself Borland C++ Builder". The rest of what i know came from online tutorials.
I have links to the best stuff on my links page
home.earthlink.net/~eberkain/
I don't think Steel will have too much of a problem with C. He's pretty smart and we are great friends so if he's not understanding something, I'll be more than happy to help him out. So, he'll have to start with C.
So, Eber, your website is this:
http://home.earthlink.net/~eberkain/
I'll check it out. And Steel, goto www.sunlightd.com, then have a DirectX tutorial for you to take a look at. Also go to Eber's site and check out his links.
--Garfield
If you're going to go with DirectX, I'd suggest learning C++.
While it is possible just to use C, there are many "helpful" things that you can only use with C++. (Just makes the job a little easier).
Programming DirectX (more specifically DirectGraphics) is a little confusing at first but its really not that bad once you get going.
However, if you have no programming experience, then I must also agree that you are shooting VERY high.
I remember buying a "game programming starter kit" when I first started programming. It had "everything you need to become a game programmer". (except the ability to actually program)
Before you start trying to make games, learn the language first. It's going to make it a lot easier. Plus, you'll be needing to learn some of the Windows API. So this isn't a small task.
ok thx guys..can u list some links or places where i can leanr...garfield ill go there...!
Do DirectX and the Win32 API work together? So, you actually have a Win API programming base for the program, and then you use the DirectX API inside of that? That's slightly confusing to me.
--Garfield
Win32 is needed to interface with the windows OS. to create windows and stuff.
DirectX can be used to get user input from keyboard, mouse, joysticks etc....
Direct3D is used to draw 3d Graphics to the screen, alternitaves to D3D are Allegro and OpenGL.
So, is Direct3D part of DirectX? I understand what you mean by the input, etc. Where would you get the API?
--Garfield
either buy a msdn membership and have the SDK's sent to you or go to msdn site and download the SDK's that you need.
for DirecX (DirectInput, DirectSound, DirectDraw, Direct3D, etc....) you need to download an SDK over 100 megs I believe. If you wanted to do OpenGL then you already have what you need.
Don't get too excited about programming a game just yet. Take a deep breath and get ready for work before fun. I'm not trying to discourage you or anything, but you're going to have to work at a language before you try something like DirectX or OpenGL. Hell, I've been learning C/C++ for about 20 months, and i still don't think I have enough experiance to go into that. But don't give up! It may be difficult at first, but once you learn a language, you'll never forget it
I know HTML, Java, JavaScript, XML, C/C++, some Assembly, Z80 basic, and some VB. Want to know what got me started on programming about 4 years ago? The TI-83! Yep, the little (but expensive) calculators. With their compilers and language (Z80 Basic), I slowly learned how to make things. I advanced from plain text-based games, to full, graphical, in-depth, multiplayer RPGs and games. I was able to utilize the link port and make multiplayer options and games that looked as if they were programmed by a professional in Assembly.
All it takes is a little time and a little pratice here and there to make it possible. there is just one thing: DONT GIVE UP!
*You cannot fail--it is only a delay to your success.
thx kuplex..but can i have a site someone!
There are links on some of the previous replies that have some pretty interesting stuff, but nothing beats another programmer. Ask Garfield for advice and of course, use this post. But, if you can find a person who is extremely good with it, you will learn a great deal of experience. Links and tutorials get you started, but finding another programmer is the best resource:D
>> but finding another programmer is the best resource <<
That's what I'm here for! :D
--Garfield
ya me and Garfield gonna learn together...we cool like that hehe :)
Yup! Steel and I. We are going to make a multi-millionare company.
You know, I don't think he should learn C++. C is quite sufficient. I'm not trying to offend anyone or anything, but C++ is perfectly sufficient. If the only "good" part of C++ is good debugging, then it's not worth it. Just be a neat coder. It is not necessary. You can use structs instead of classes.
--Garfield
Good luck !!Quote:
If the only "good" part of C++ is good debugging, then it's not worth it. Just be a neat coder. It is not necessary. You can use structs instead of classes.
But I think you'll be eating those words within 18 months.
Really? Convince me to learn/use C++.Quote:
Originally posted by Stoned_Coder
Good luck !!
But I think you'll be eating those words within 18 months.
>for DirecX (DirectInput, DirectSound, DirectDraw, Direct3D, etc....) you need to download an SDK over 100 megs I believe. If you wanted to do OpenGL then you already have what you need.<
Of coarse opengl only handles graphics. You still need something for everything else.
>Really? Convince me to learn/use C++.
Quote:
From sunlight's Directx 8 tutorial
For this tutorial, the code has been in C, compilable with a C++ compiler. This must now change. DirectDraw is accessible from C, but it's far quicker and easier to write in C++. I strongly recommend that you compile all DirectDraw code with a C++ compiler. Don't worry, there's nothing new to learn - we're just doing this to simplify the DirectDraw code. All the rest will remain in C.
hehe i think he is right garfiled
Steel, I've got a C++ book that you can learn from. It is good. It'll give you all you need to learn the language. I, on the other, have this other book that is designed for C programmers learning C++. So, then that's what we'll do.