Good programming language to learn?

[Apostrophe Spacemonkey]

You can download Visual Studio Express in your language of choice here.
http://www.microsoft.com/express/Downloads/

If you want to start really easy, you can start with small basic
http://smallbasic.com/


I'm not sure what you need for game modding.

[Spoonguard]

You can download Visual Studio Express in your language of choice here.
http://www.microsoft.com/express/Downloads/

If you want to start really easy, you can start with small basic
http://smallbasic.com/


I'm not sure what you need for game modding.

Generally, C and C++. Most game engines have a high-level scripting language based on either C or C++. Exceptions include Unity3D, which uses Mono (.NET); Gamebyro, which uses Lua.

[Bell]

I dunno, I wouldn't recommend to someone who wants to dabble in game modding to learn C and C++.

They don't need to learn memory management or any OO, just need basic scripting skills.
BF2 i think used a fairly simple set of python scripts to access game engine variables etc.

[Kayne]

Buy gmod and learn expression 2, Fairly easy.

Once you've learnt that, learn lua and mod your own addons :>

[thatGUyAswell]

Lol expression 2 is so easy, it's epic.

[Virus.]

I'm not Gmod modding. No.

A few open games use Python, like Mount & Blade, I'm interested in that. What's the Source engine use?

Remember, this is just modding a game into my own, nothing more.

[Kayne]

I'm not Gmod modding. No.

A few open games use Python, like Mount & Blade, I'm interested in that. What's the Source engine use?

Remember, this is just modding a game into my own, nothing more.

You can with gmod lol, You don't have to make a full on game, just a game mode.

[Virus.]

I'm sorry Kayne. Did I not make it clear the first time?

Unless you can turn it into another game that isn't Gmod. No.

[Pyromanik]

I find string.format really useful

string someWords = string.format("Words and shit {0} {1}", x , y);

{0} and {1} are replace by x and y respectively. Where x/y can be a number or a string.

Looks like a half arsed regular expression.

Ok, so I'm going to give programming go. However, I don't know where the place for me to start is.

I'm interested in game modding, for other people or me. This will probably always be a hobby. What should I start learning and how?

Python is probably your best bet.
That or Lua.

[Virus.]

Where (other than Gmod) is Lua used and for what?

And what about Source engine?

[Pyromanik]

Well; use google.

Source has the Source SDK.

Crytek:
http://www.crymod.com/portal.php

Unreal Engine's UDK

etc.
Most require you to know a real language.
I know lua is used in a few places, but can't find any specific references atm.

As mentioned BF2 uses Python.

As to many open projects.
Spring Engine uses Lua, if you were into RTS. They have a pretty good guide on how to develop units and the like also. It's pretty straightforward until you get to the COB scripting part :/

[Virus.]

Hmmm. C++.

[Pyromanik]

Yup.

Hmmm. C++.

Most require you to know a real language.

Which is why you might wanna investigate making an application first. Get your feet wet.
I know you're finishing school soon, so to a uni or tech and study, it's much easier to learn the harder stuff when you have a sense of compulsion. And a shittonne of people around to help you (as opposed to half finished internet tutorials and basics that you outgrow fast).

[Tiwaking!]

A few open games use Python, like Mount & Blade, I'm interested in that.

Mount&Blade is my python programming passion.

http://forums.getsome.co.nz/index.php/topic,45338.0.html

Loads of help from the Mount&Blade forums for budding modders. The only let down is the loss of the 'big name' mods like "Fantasy Mod" and "Craftmod".

Maybe someone will, one day, take up their fallen reins.

[Catalyst]

tiwa, putting a title on each of your posts is really annoying, shows differently on the main page then i end up back in threads i dont care about
not sure if anyone else gets annoyed by this


/rant

[Menial]

I like it.

[Virus.]

What would be the best if I wanted to get into game modding, Python or C++? Take into account the learning curve etc.

[toofast]

whats a good IDE in linux to make c++ form guis, like visual studio does. I got this client program on linux, and i need to add some extra functionality to it, but i rather not have to add all the extra stuff by hand (like declaring another button, then setting up properties etc). There probably more info i need to give, but i dont have the program on me.

[Pyromanik]

^ depends. On a number of things, most of all the toolkit being used.
If it's Qt, use Qt designer, it comes with the Qt package.

If not...
geezus man, must be a pretty shit distro if you can't "pacman -Ss IDE" or "apt-get imnotadebianfanhowdoesthisshitwork?".

Try Code::Blocks?
Ajunta
Kate
Kdevelop
Eclipse

It's more than likely much easier to find out the toolkit and code in your gui by hand. They're not hard.
GTK's like laying out HTML.

tiwa, putting a title on each of your posts is really annoying, shows differently on the main page then i end up back in threads i dont care about
not sure if anyone else gets annoyed by this


/rant

I love it.
Not Tiwa's fault the forums are shit and use a crazy linked list system.
Or that the admins removed the ability for us to see post titles inside a thread... and never put them back.





--------------------------------------------------



Right. Now that both our new programmers have mades something useful (well, a poorly typed but rather functional calculator in C# by Kayne and a hello world in python by Virus), It's time for the next logical step in challenging progression.

Mission 1: Investigate arrays.
Y'all now got to make me a console (command line interface) based noughts and crosses application.

Rules:

• Must be reasonably user friendly (a prompt that tells me what valid input I can use).
• Must be complete with input error checking (this means I can't break it by putting in something like "F" when I should be putting a number between 1-3).
• You ARE allowed to ask questions and get help (try to save this for when you get stuck though).

You've got 1 week.

Go.
(entries from someone who is neither Kayne or Virus [or possibly someone else suitably new to programming] don't count, and you'll be held responsible for ruining the fun by posting answers and trying to steal the limelight. Probably by being called a dick by me).

[Kayne]

Fucking - Keen.

Is it okay if we post out progress as we go, as in...

I think I've finished it, so i post. If there are errors, and you guys tell me about them, can i resubmit a later version?

[Pyromanik]

Yup, of course (See rule 3).

The point of the exercise is to investigate arrays, incase you missed it.
So you'll lose points if you find some other fucked up way to do it (honestly, arrays are the easiest). Preferably use an array that's primitive as you can get in your language.

Just a standard 3x3 2D board. Must have complete win & restart functionality, along with a quit.
Bonus points for having a computer player.


Good luck

[Kayne]

Arrays have always been my downfall. Even in gmod. Grumpy tried to teach me but i just herp derp everytime.

After work experience tomorrow i'll get working on it straight away.

So you don't expect the actual game to be in text, it can be in a plain image right?

[Pyromanik]

No, in text.
Consoles don't do images


But there's nothing stoping you from an ASCII board


eg:

Code: [Select]

O| |X
-----
 |O|
-----
X| |X


or:

Code: [Select]

O X
 O
X X

or something like that.
Up to you!

[Kayne]

kk, I'm still quite confused over how I'm meant to use arrays. I could easily do this with if statements, but when I try put arrays into the equation.. I just can't work it out!

I have no idea what i'm meant to be making into an array. The possible wins? Each squares possibility? Or just the outcome of the board?

[toofast]

think about it like this.

An array holds x by y data. So for this game you need 3x3, so thats the first thing you need to make. then everytime a user inputs a value you need to update the array, and print it to screen. And yea you are putting the x and o's on the board. Like pyro showed.

On a side note, something interesting to check out is the curses library. its for linux iirc, but there is ncurses for windows. Its basically like making a gui in console window, by printing a buffer to the console, then refreshing it.