Thread: Which language to start with

  1. #1
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    Which language to start with

    Hello
    I've learned Visual Basic .NET, some Python, and beginnings of Java. And I was just wondering what language I should learn now. The decision is between either C or C++. So I was hoping somebody could give me some insight on which language would be better to learn. Also I am hoping to go to college for Game Development, just in case a certain language would be better for this.

    Sorry if this is not the correction section to post this, but I was unable to find a place for introductions. So it seemed like this was the most appropriate place to post this.

    -slats

  2. #2
    Kernel hacker
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    Almost all games, nowadays, are developed in C++.

    To properly learn C++, you will also need to learn C, as 99.9% of all things you can do in C, will work equally well in C++ (of course, purist C++ programmers will say "That's not the way to do it in C++", but the compiler will not make such objections).

    However, whilst C++ can do C, you will also need to learn "the C++ way of doing things", or you will still not be particularly successful in the C++ arena.

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  3. #3
    Reverse Engineer maxorator's Avatar
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    As you're in a C/C++ programming forum, our opinions aren't totally objective I guess.

    But as you're here already, I think it would be good to start with C and go on with C++ from there.
    "The Internet treats censorship as damage and routes around it." - John Gilmore

  4. #4
    Malum in se abachler's Avatar
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    To be fair, some games today are written in python, but thats generally only the server side when rapid development is important and where its fairly easy to throw more iron at the performance issues.

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    thank you all for the insight I am going to work on learning C.
    Generally how long does it take to learn C?

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    Quote Originally Posted by slats View Post
    thank you all for the insight I am going to work on learning C.
    Generally how long does it take to learn C?
    The basics: A couple of weeks or so. Fully - a few years or so (assuming you "ever" learn it all).

    Note also that learning a language is generally considered the easy part - learning how to program is the hard part. So if you are already comfortable with other programming languages, then it's easier. But C and C++ have some advanced features that are different from most other languages (particularly the ones you mention, in the fact that C and C++ uses pointers).

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    Mats
    Compilers can produce warnings - make the compiler programmers happy: Use them!
    Please don't PM me for help - and no, I don't do help over instant messengers.

  7. #7
    Malum in se abachler's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by slats View Post
    thank you all for the insight I am going to work on learning C.
    Generally how long does it take to learn C?
    an afternoon to learn, a lifetime to master.

  8. #8
    Lurking whiteflags's Avatar
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    I've learned Visual Basic .NET, some Python, and beginnings of Java.
    I'm not quite sure what that means, but I think you should have a working knowledge of Java before you jump into something else. Nothing quite ruins a mind like trying to learn several programming languages at once, and C++ will be doing things differently from Java which will lead to confusion you're not prepared to handle. When you have a working knowledge of the languages you're already learning, you will have an easier time working with the differences and similarities it has with C++.

  9. #9
    Reverse Engineer maxorator's Avatar
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    I, for example, jumped to C++ from PHP.
    "The Internet treats censorship as damage and routes around it." - John Gilmore

  10. #10
    HelpingYouHelpUsHelpUsAll
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    I recommend leaning C first (as I haven't gone into C++ yet). I went from PHP to python to C, where I had learnt the basics of C before python (as I didn't have much time to read the manual).
    I have been programming in C for roughly a year now (dived head-first into Windows Programming with little experience beyond pointers).
    The concepts are not that hard to master, it is applying them to programs that is the hard part. Another difficult thing is comming up with problems that are feasible, wihtin what you know and time-frame, to program. That might just be me though .
    If you even spend years learning C, then move on to C++, C++ will not take that long to master as most of the stuff in C carries over to C++. Thats the concept I work from (hope it's right)
    long time no C; //seige
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  11. #11
    C++ Witch laserlight's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by citizen
    Nothing quite ruins a mind like trying to learn several programming languages at once, and C++ will be doing things differently from Java which will lead to confusion you're not prepared to handle. When you have a working knowledge of the languages you're already learning, you will have an easier time working with the differences and similarities it has with C++.
    I agree.

    slats, I think you should concentrate on Python and Java for now. Consider developing simple games in those languages. Aside from helping you build your knowledge on how to use those languages to solve problems (and problem solving is a skill that you can keep even when switching languages), the simple games you develop could come in handy in an entrance interview for your target college.

    Quote Originally Posted by P4R4N01D
    If you even spend years learning C, then move on to C++, C++ will not take that long to master as most of the stuff in C carries over to C++. Thats the concept I work from (hope it's right)
    Yes, much of one's C knowledge would carry over to C++. On the other hand, C++ introduces new constructs and idioms not present in C, and some of these are fundamental to using C++ effectively. If one's aim is to learn C++, there is no gain in learning C before learning C++.
    Quote Originally Posted by Bjarne Stroustrup (2000-10-14)
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    Look up a C++ Reference and learn How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

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    Quote Originally Posted by laserlight View Post
    I agree.

    slats, I think you should concentrate on Python and Java for now. Consider developing simple games in those languages. Aside from helping you build your knowledge on how to use those languages to solve problems (and problem solving is a skill that you can keep even when switching languages), the simple games you develop could come in handy in an entrance interview for your target college.


    Yes, much of one's C knowledge would carry over to C++. On the other hand, C++ introduces new constructs and idioms not present in C, and some of these are fundamental to using C++ effectively. If one's aim is to learn C++, there is no gain in learning C before learning C++.
    Thank you very much.
    I will stick with Python and Java for now.
    I'll be back in a few months(or years) depending on when I am done with those.

  13. #13
    & the hat of GPL slaying Thantos's Avatar
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    Regardless of the language you choose I would encourage studying different types of programming (I.E. procedural, OOP, logic, etc) as these are the real foundations to programming. Syntax is fairly easy to pickup once you firmly understand then general concepts.

  14. #14
    l'Anziano DavidP's Avatar
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    I'll be back in a few months(or years) depending on when I am done with those.
    I'll still be here
    My Website

    "Circular logic is good because it is."

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by laserlight View Post
    slats, I think you should concentrate on Python and Java for now. Consider developing simple games in those languages. Aside from helping you build your knowledge on how to use those languages to solve problems (and problem solving is a skill that you can keep even when switching languages), the simple games you develop could come in handy in an entrance interview for your target college.
    Do no discourage people who wish to learn C++.
    I think it is perfectly valid and useful to learn C++ even before any other language is learned!

    C++ has some really good stuff to ease the newbies!
    I will recommend C++ for learning how to program, other languages are more like get your work done, the fastest!

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