Printable View
I want to make games and stuff, but I'm really terrible at typing and programming, and have absolutely no knowledge of any programming whatsoever. I read a few programming tutorials, and it all blew my mind. It's like they're written in Greek or something. What should I do? What would be a fun, easy, and interesting programming language to start out with?
I actually want to make games for a living, but I'm far from being able to do that.
First off, you should try to be more self-confident :)
Learning a programming language is not an easy task.
A lot of people believe things look like 'greek' because their approach of learning something is wrong.
I suggest you to buy a book for beginners/advanced that will teach you the basics of C++ plus a little more.
You have to understand the basics so you can move on to the 'greek' part :)
Believe me at first glance I was like wtf is that the matrix or something and after a few hundred pages everything is getting clearer :)
Good luck
I know how you feel:)
"I want to make games and stuff, but I'm really terrible at typing and programming,"
...and my friend wants to run the marathon in the next Olympics, but he weighs 290lbs, eats Doritos all day, and gets winded walking up stairs.
LEARNING -
You might need a book. My beginning book was "Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days" by Jesse Liberty. This book is clearly written, and is structured for self-learning, with questions and exercises at the end of each "day" (chapter), and answers / solutions in the back. At about 750 pages, there is more material and explanation than you'll find in most tutorials. I doubt that many people actually make it through this book in 21 days unless they already know C.
Programming is difficult. It's a skill, not a task. Its like learning karate, or learning to play the guitar... It takes lots of study and practice!
C++ & GRAPHICS -
C++ is NOT the easiest language. If you want to quickly make "cool looking" programs, you should check-out Java or Visual BASIC. If you were taking C++ classes, you probably wouldn't learn any Windows or Graphics until the 3rd semester. If fact, there are NO GRAPHICS in "standard" ISO/ANSI C++. There no graphics in the "21 Days" book either. If you took a Java, or Visual BASIC class, your programs would "look cool" the first semester.
However, if you want to learn how programs work "under the hood"... how the logic works... C++ is a good starting language.
TYPING -
You don't have to be an expert typest, because it takes a lot longer to think about how you are going to make your program work, and to look-up stuff in your programming references... and to debug, than it does to actually type-in the code. Heck, right now, its taking me more time to figure-out what I want to say, than it is to type it in!
You do need some typing skills... maybe 20 words-per-minute. I remember when I first started programming I was frustrated with the typing too.
So, get a typing tutor program and play with it 'till you no longer feel that typing is slowing you down.
I agree. Programming takes practice. It is not something that people pick up overnight. Look at some books and tutorials. There are a lot of free e-books and free tutorials on the internet to help you.
As for typing, as DougDbug said, use a typing tutor program. You'll need some efficiency, but not necessarily to be the fastest typer out there. Programming is not like dictation where you need the speed.
Most of all, have fun and good luck! We're here to help. :)