Best programming language...

[Stragomagus]

Since you seem to be leaning toward C++ at the moment Tiigon, here are some books to help you out.

 

Programming AI by Example

Mat Buckland

 

Large-Scale C++ software Design

John Lakos

 

Introduction to Algorithns: Second Edition

Thomas H. cormen, Charles E.Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, Clifford Stein

 

Effective C++: 55 Specific Ways to Improve Your Programs and Designs(3rd Edition)(Paperback)

Scott Meyers

 

Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code

Martin Fowler, Kent Beck, John Brant, William Opdyke, Don Roberts

 

Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software(Hardcover)

Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, John M. Vlissides

 

Code Complete:A Practical Handbook of Software Construction(Paperback)

Steve McConnell

 

An Introduction to Programming with C++: Fifth Edition

Drane Zack

 

 

The first seven were recommended by people in the "programming" section of gamasutra.

 

For most of the high-level languages out there, especially ones like Java and C++, it'll take you at minimum of 9-12 months of programming on a regular basis to be ready to program games. You also might want to consider programming in 2 or more at the same time to increase your ability in looping(You'll be using things like that like crazy for a game).

 

Could you also point me to these tutorials that you have managed to find? The ones I am currently using aren't that good at all.

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

Just like dsavi said Jard, C# is most certainly developed and maintained by Microsoft, whether or not you choose to accept it is not our problem.

 

Concerning your comment about c++ as well Jard. You may not accept this, but most if not all games made in the video-game industry are programmed in c++ or a variant of it, so to say it does not have portability only shows your ignorance. I'll give you the point about pointers though, but that really only applies to really complex programs, like games and other scientific programs.

 

As for your comment about Java, I'd appreciate it if you actually learned how to use the language before bashing it as any programmer worth their salt can create their own libraries for such things.

 

Java also very much does "hold your hand" in regards to how accurate the compiler is.

 

I'd like to see those studies you are referring to as well.

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

[sloter]

Do not use C++. At your experience level, the effort required to be debugging with pointers is not worth it. They're dangerous and should be avoided. Plus porting is usually hell. Ignore anyone who claims that C++ is so fast and powerful and that you can do anything with it and it's the only language to make games in, there are plenty alternatives and you can get great performance out of other languages.

 

You could try: Java + JOGL, though Java can be an annoying language to program in. It lacks many modern features and its event handling model seems to have been invented by a monkey.

 

My best recommendation would be C# + .NET/Mono + OpenTK. I know you said no Microsoft products, but C# is not a "Microsoft product". It was invented by a Microsoft employee and maintained by them, but it is an Ecma (ECMA-334) and ISO (ISO/IEC 23270) international standard. And Mono is maintained by Novell. OpenTK is 3rd party. And, why hate Microsoft? They may be monopolistic and seem anti-standard at times, but at least they're not as dumb as Sun. And my other computer has Linux on it, just to keep you quiet on anything there.

 

C++ gives you the power you need, without all of the handholding that C# or Java provide. However, since you're just starting out it might be easier to jump in to C#.

 

Personally, I'd go with C#. The .NET management layer isn't THAT slow - and I imagine you'll be starting off small anyways. You could always redo your engines in something unmanaged later, if you decided to speed it up.

 

Keep in mind that your first few projects are throwaways anyways. Pick what you want to learn, then worry about making something cool.

 

C# and Java do not "hold your hand". You can't just magically write huge programs with no effort. Quite frankly, the absence of a few *, & and -> here and there hardly makes any difference (at least to me, some people find pointers difficult). It's basically a syntactical thing. And you will probably make a few more mistakes here and there. Java and C# weren't designed to be goo goo gaga baby nonsense. They were designed to succeed C++ for many purposes because they are more advanced technologies. Having the computer tell you when things are wrong is better than not. We might as well get into a "real man" argument and say that if you write a game in a weak-typed version of C, you're so cool an awesome... no. Use what works best for the job. C# is a modern, elegant language that is well suited for game development and easy to port if the proper libraries are used.

 

And rewriting games in unmanaged languages won't speed them up that much, especially C# to C++. I've read many studies where benchmarks were done and there was hardly a noticeable difference between C# and C++. It really comes down to how well the programmer writes his or her code. Perhaps because you're passing tons of value types around, as opposed to what you'd do in C++... and I have to leave so this post ends abruptly.

 

Read the OP he wants cross platform. C#, is MS based. I suggest you do some research before you try to act like a big dog.

 

C# most certainly is NOT MS based. It is a language. You mean to say that .NET is MS based, and I suggest YOU do some research before trying to correct those more experienced than yourself whom you assume to be acting like "big dogs"... http://www.mono-project.com/Main_Page

 

Reality is no one wants to do .net esecially on an open source platforrm. .net in my opinion is a pretty ugly language. People would laugh at you to day that your developing in an MS language to go cross platform. Hell, most real developers refuse to even use the.net [cabbage].

[Jard_Y_Dooku]

Do not use C++. At your experience level, the effort required to be debugging with pointers is not worth it. They're dangerous and should be avoided. Plus porting is usually hell. Ignore anyone who claims that C++ is so fast and powerful and that you can do anything with it and it's the only language to make games in, there are plenty alternatives and you can get great performance out of other languages.

 

You could try: Java + JOGL, though Java can be an annoying language to program in. It lacks many modern features and its event handling model seems to have been invented by a monkey.

 

My best recommendation would be C# + .NET/Mono + OpenTK. I know you said no Microsoft products, but C# is not a "Microsoft product". It was invented by a Microsoft employee and maintained by them, but it is an Ecma (ECMA-334) and ISO (ISO/IEC 23270) international standard. And Mono is maintained by Novell. OpenTK is 3rd party. And, why hate Microsoft? They may be monopolistic and seem anti-standard at times, but at least they're not as dumb as Sun. And my other computer has Linux on it, just to keep you quiet on anything there.

 

C++ gives you the power you need, without all of the handholding that C# or Java provide. However, since you're just starting out it might be easier to jump in to C#.

 

Personally, I'd go with C#. The .NET management layer isn't THAT slow - and I imagine you'll be starting off small anyways. You could always redo your engines in something unmanaged later, if you decided to speed it up.

 

Keep in mind that your first few projects are throwaways anyways. Pick what you want to learn, then worry about making something cool.

 

C# and Java do not "hold your hand". You can't just magically write huge programs with no effort. Quite frankly, the absence of a few *, & and -> here and there hardly makes any difference (at least to me, some people find pointers difficult). It's basically a syntactical thing. And you will probably make a few more mistakes here and there. Java and C# weren't designed to be goo goo gaga baby nonsense. They were designed to succeed C++ for many purposes because they are more advanced technologies. Having the computer tell you when things are wrong is better than not. We might as well get into a "real man" argument and say that if you write a game in a weak-typed version of C, you're so cool an awesome... no. Use what works best for the job. C# is a modern, elegant language that is well suited for game development and easy to port if the proper libraries are used.

 

And rewriting games in unmanaged languages won't speed them up that much, especially C# to C++. I've read many studies where benchmarks were done and there was hardly a noticeable difference between C# and C++. It really comes down to how well the programmer writes his or her code. Perhaps because you're passing tons of value types around, as opposed to what you'd do in C++... and I have to leave so this post ends abruptly.

 

Read the OP he wants cross platform. C#, is MS based. I suggest you do some research before you try to act like a big dog.

 

C# most certainly is NOT MS based. It is a language. You mean to say that .NET is MS based, and I suggest YOU do some research before trying to correct those more experienced than yourself whom you assume to be acting like "big dogs"... http://www.mono-project.com/Main_Page

 

I believe sloter is more experienced and competent than you. Also the page you referred to is just a .Net adaptation for Linux, which means it's still MS.

 

Well I certainly don't. My point is that C# and CLI are standardized (plus this: http://www.microsoft.com/interop/cp/default.mspx), so Microsoft won't turn around and "pull any BS", to put it bluntly, which is my point. Plus doing so would be bad for business. Tons of developers would say screw it and not use their stuff. Less user base for them. And it's nonsense to hate Microsoft, they aren't going away for a long time and have made many great products and services. In short, I'm ignoring his "no MS stuff" and just suggesting it anyways.

 

C# most certainly is NOT MS based. It is a language. You mean to say that .NET is MS based, and I suggest YOU do some research before trying to correct those more experienced than yourself whom you assume to be acting like "big dogs"... http://www.mono-project.com/Main_Page

C# is as "MS based" as Java is "Sun based". MS defines the C# standard, and the Mono project developers make an open source virtual machine that implements the C# standard. There may be an open source alternative (And a very good one at that) but when it's all over, it's MS that's deciding what happens with the language.

 

Just because they invented and continue to develop it doesn't mean universe ending paradoxes will ensue. As I said, C# and CLI are open standards. And C# has the most incredible mix of linguistic elegance and power I have seen in any language yet.

 

The thing I find most funny is that Java is as much a "proprietary language" as C# is, yet I can't recall the last time I heard complaints about not wanting to use Java because of it. You people just hate Microsoft.

[Sbrideau]

Actually, me hating MS is false, I like to program in VB.Net too, but if I were to program on an open-source platform, which I'm surely going to do in the future, I'm not going to use a MS based langage since I won't be on Windows for it. I'm not saying that C# is bad, but the OP wants a Non-MS language. I like using MS products, but that will be when I can afford them. Until them, I'll happily use opensource and freeware. Also C++ is probably the best language for games as others said but I would take java into account if the guy wants a language easier to learn.

[sloter]

Do not use C++. At your experience level, the effort required to be debugging with pointers is not worth it. They're dangerous and should be avoided. Plus porting is usually hell. Ignore anyone who claims that C++ is so fast and powerful and that you can do anything with it and it's the only language to make games in, there are plenty alternatives and you can get great performance out of other languages.

 

You could try: Java + JOGL, though Java can be an annoying language to program in. It lacks many modern features and its event handling model seems to have been invented by a monkey.

 

My best recommendation would be C# + .NET/Mono + OpenTK. I know you said no Microsoft products, but C# is not a "Microsoft product". It was invented by a Microsoft employee and maintained by them, but it is an Ecma (ECMA-334) and ISO (ISO/IEC 23270) international standard. And Mono is maintained by Novell. OpenTK is 3rd party. And, why hate Microsoft? They may be monopolistic and seem anti-standard at times, but at least they're not as dumb as Sun. And my other computer has Linux on it, just to keep you quiet on anything there.

 

C++ gives you the power you need, without all of the handholding that C# or Java provide. However, since you're just starting out it might be easier to jump in to C#.

 

Personally, I'd go with C#. The .NET management layer isn't THAT slow - and I imagine you'll be starting off small anyways. You could always redo your engines in something unmanaged later, if you decided to speed it up.

 

Keep in mind that your first few projects are throwaways anyways. Pick what you want to learn, then worry about making something cool.

 

C# and Java do not "hold your hand". You can't just magically write huge programs with no effort. Quite frankly, the absence of a few *, & and -> here and there hardly makes any difference (at least to me, some people find pointers difficult). It's basically a syntactical thing. And you will probably make a few more mistakes here and there. Java and C# weren't designed to be goo goo gaga baby nonsense. They were designed to succeed C++ for many purposes because they are more advanced technologies. Having the computer tell you when things are wrong is better than not. We might as well get into a "real man" argument and say that if you write a game in a weak-typed version of C, you're so cool an awesome... no. Use what works best for the job. C# is a modern, elegant language that is well suited for game development and easy to port if the proper libraries are used.

 

And rewriting games in unmanaged languages won't speed them up that much, especially C# to C++. I've read many studies where benchmarks were done and there was hardly a noticeable difference between C# and C++. It really comes down to how well the programmer writes his or her code. Perhaps because you're passing tons of value types around, as opposed to what you'd do in C++... and I have to leave so this post ends abruptly.

 

Read the OP he wants cross platform. C#, is MS based. I suggest you do some research before you try to act like a big dog.

 

C# most certainly is NOT MS based. It is a language. You mean to say that .NET is MS based, and I suggest YOU do some research before trying to correct those more experienced than yourself whom you assume to be acting like "big dogs"... http://www.mono-project.com/Main_Page

 

Reality is no one wants to do .net esecially on an open source platforrm. .net in my opinion is a pretty ugly language. People would laugh at you to day that your developing in an MS language to go cross platform. Hell, most real developers refuse to even use the.net [cabbage].

 

I find your really amusing :P I do hate Microsoft and it will stay that way as I personally don't like the way they do things. Why in the [bleep] would you implement .NET on another platform considering it is intended for MS windows. I am just not understanding this. This is pretty funny what you think though. If you would like to waste your time at this please do but, it wouldn't be the best for a game that is going to be cross platform. That isn't my opinion that is the truth.

[The Runar]

[hide="Too many quotes]

Do not use C++. At your experience level, the effort required to be debugging with pointers is not worth it. They're dangerous and should be avoided. Plus porting is usually hell. Ignore anyone who claims that C++ is so fast and powerful and that you can do anything with it and it's the only language to make games in, there are plenty alternatives and you can get great performance out of other languages.

 

You could try: Java + JOGL, though Java can be an annoying language to program in. It lacks many modern features and its event handling model seems to have been invented by a monkey.

 

My best recommendation would be C# + .NET/Mono + OpenTK. I know you said no Microsoft products, but C# is not a "Microsoft product". It was invented by a Microsoft employee and maintained by them, but it is an Ecma (ECMA-334) and ISO (ISO/IEC 23270) international standard. And Mono is maintained by Novell. OpenTK is 3rd party. And, why hate Microsoft? They may be monopolistic and seem anti-standard at times, but at least they're not as dumb as Sun. And my other computer has Linux on it, just to keep you quiet on anything there.

 

C++ gives you the power you need, without all of the handholding that C# or Java provide. However, since you're just starting out it might be easier to jump in to C#.

 

Personally, I'd go with C#. The .NET management layer isn't THAT slow - and I imagine you'll be starting off small anyways. You could always redo your engines in something unmanaged later, if you decided to speed it up.

 

Keep in mind that your first few projects are throwaways anyways. Pick what you want to learn, then worry about making something cool.

 

C# and Java do not "hold your hand". You can't just magically write huge programs with no effort. Quite frankly, the absence of a few *, & and -> here and there hardly makes any difference (at least to me, some people find pointers difficult). It's basically a syntactical thing. And you will probably make a few more mistakes here and there. Java and C# weren't designed to be goo goo gaga baby nonsense. They were designed to succeed C++ for many purposes because they are more advanced technologies. Having the computer tell you when things are wrong is better than not. We might as well get into a "real man" argument and say that if you write a game in a weak-typed version of C, you're so cool an awesome... no. Use what works best for the job. C# is a modern, elegant language that is well suited for game development and easy to port if the proper libraries are used.

 

And rewriting games in unmanaged languages won't speed them up that much, especially C# to C++. I've read many studies where benchmarks were done and there was hardly a noticeable difference between C# and C++. It really comes down to how well the programmer writes his or her code. Perhaps because you're passing tons of value types around, as opposed to what you'd do in C++... and I have to leave so this post ends abruptly.

 

Read the OP he wants cross platform. C#, is MS based. I suggest you do some research before you try to act like a big dog.

 

C# most certainly is NOT MS based. It is a language. You mean to say that .NET is MS based, and I suggest YOU do some research before trying to correct those more experienced than yourself whom you assume to be acting like "big dogs"... http://www.mono-project.com/Main_Page

 

Reality is no one wants to do .net esecially on an open source platforrm. .net in my opinion is a pretty ugly language. People would laugh at you to day that your developing in an MS language to go cross platform. Hell, most real developers refuse to even use the.net [cabbage].

 

I find your really amusing :P I do hate Microsoft and it will stay that way as I personally don't like the way they do things. Why in the [bleep] would you implement .NET on another platform considering it is intended for MS windows. I am just not understanding this. This is pretty funny what you think though. If you would like to waste your time at this please do but, it wouldn't be the best for a game that is going to be cross platform. That isn't my opinion that is the truth.

[/hide]

 

I find it really amusing how huge war I managed to create with a simple question.

[dsavi]

Yeah, but "Which OS is the best" is a simple question too isn't it?

[Sbrideau]

Yeah, but "Which OS is the best" is a simple question too isn't it?

I see what you did there, but quite the right thing to say here imho. Really goes with our tastes of what we want or not.

[dsavi]

I'm not exactly sure what I "did there" but yeah, that was my point.

[The Runar]

I went to the library and checked if they had any good books about programming. Too bad the library in my town is quite small and doesn't have very many books, but I managed to find several good ones.

 

I've already learned pretty much all the basic things about C++ (I still need to study classes and file input/output a bit), and I also can do some things with the curses library. After I get these (boring) parts done, I'll try using some graphics.

 

I should also try coding a small practice game using curses, but I'm pretty lazy and so... :rolleyes:

[Sbrideau]

So you know how to deal with pointers, arrays, templates, classes? And I'm still missing quite a bit here

[dsavi]

Pointers are the worst for me, PHP being the first language that I learned (And then Java).

[SkillingWoo]

C++ is probably one your best bets for game development. Although, you can write games with C, Python, Java, and you'll need to know some Assembly language (for console games, especially.) Although, knowing the basics of programming isn't the same as knowing the basics of a language. You need to learn C++ before you start developing games. (Just like you need to know HTML before developing a website, or English before you write a book.)

[The Runar]

C++ is probably one your best bets for game development. Although, you can write games with C, Python, Java, and you'll need to know some Assembly language (for console games, especially.) Although, knowing the basics of programming isn't the same as knowing the basics of a language. You need to learn C++ before you start developing games. (Just like you need to know HTML before developing a website, or English before you write a book.)

 

I think I know enough about C++ programming to program some simple games. I still need to study graphics and sounds, but I can do some basic ASCII graphic stuff with curses and that's good for now. I think it's time for another visit to the library soon... :rolleyes:

[venomai]

You could try: Java + JOGL, though Java can be an annoying language to program in. It lacks many modern features and its event handling model seems to have been invented by a monkey.

Event-handling, as in Swing's event handling? It's not great, but if you use Java + OpenGL you won't have to deal with Swing's annoyances.

 

And avoid JOGL like the plague. Instead, look into LWJGL if you want pure OpenGL, or Slick and jME (like I said earlier) for higher level 2D and 3D libraries, respectively.

 

Like I said, Java's real strengths lie in distribution and portability. Web Start in particular makes it invaluable for hobbyist game development.

 

I give up on Java. It's too confusing. I forget stuff faster than I learn it.

Might look like this initially, but once you get past "Hello, World" programs and actually start making games (and porting them), you'll most likely find Java to be many many times easier than C++.

 

Use an IDE if you are having problems loading external class-libraries in Java. It takes about 10 seconds after you've done it once.

 

It sounds like you didn't give Java a fair try at all. Oh well, it's your funeral. Have fun with C++ memory leaks and cross-platform programming. :lol:

[The Runar]

I'm used to all kinds of problems with computers (such as manually mounting a partition with a livecd and fixing a broken boot file), so fixing memory leaks and such doesn't sound too hard. I don't know how hard porting is with crossplatform libraries yet, but I'm not worrying about that yet.

 

Java seems to be an interesting option, and I could try it again someday. If I just managed to get the libraries to load... (I probably did something wrong, as I actually used an IDE...)

 

By the way, I managed to write a piece of (C++) code which loads the contents of an file to an array (and I did it without help, yay!). Now I can start making maps for my (simple) games. That's one problem solved. :)

[Sbrideau]

If you had that much trouble putting something in an array, I suggest you use something else than C++ cause you're giong to have a [cabbage]load of trouble learning it and doing it right. Also, making memory leaks is quite easy, like forgetting a simple keyword (which I assume you know).

[The Runar]

If you had that much trouble putting something in an array, I suggest you use something else than C++ cause you're giong to have a [cabbage]load of trouble learning it and doing it right. Also, making memory leaks is quite easy, like forgetting a simple keyword (which I assume you know).

 

I never said it was a problem. I just hadn't tried it before.

 

About those memory leaks, I have a ton of patience with those kinds of things, so they shouldn't be a problem. I also find bugs (and usually their sources too) very easily.

 

I already have some ideas for a simple game which I will hopefully create soon as a practice project.

[SkillingWoo]

If you had that much trouble putting something in an array, I suggest you use something else than C++ cause you're giong to have a [cabbage]load of trouble learning it and doing it right. Also, making memory leaks is quite easy, like forgetting a simple keyword (which I assume you know).

 

I started to learn Ruby because the web development firm that I'm looking to intern next summer with develops their clients websites primarily with Ruby on Rails, so I want to learn the language the framework is based on. I'm very capable with Python and PHP, so I thought it'd be easy. The first program I decided to write was one that took a RuneScape username and output each skills XP, rank, and level. Something I could write in 5 minutes with PHP and Python. Guess how long that took me? 2 hours, and 3 questions on Stack Overflow. And when I stepped back and looked at it, all it was was taking the lite hiscores and sticking them in an array, and outputting that array.

 

All that to say -- if I had that much trouble with creating an array with Ruby (which is similar, in some respects, to Python and PHP), does that mean I should give up and go learn some other language? Psh. No way.

 

---

 

All THAT to say, C++ is a great language to learn. Even though many people say it's too big, or too complicated, or some other [cabbage], you're still better off learning it, especially if you want a career in software development. It'll get easier as you go along, just don't decide to give it up for a different language when it gets hard or you get puzzled (even though you don't seem to be now; which is a good sign.) Also, if you have questions, you should turn to Stack Overflow. People there will be able to answer any question you have.

 

By the way, if I were you, I'd try to write the program that I mentioned above with C++. It'll teach how to get information from files, how to create and manipulate arrays from strings, and how to output them.

[Sbrideau]

All THAT to say, C++ is a great language to learn. Even though many people say it's too big, or too complicated, or some other [cabbage], you're still better off learning it, especially if you want a career in software development. It'll get easier as you go along, just don't decide to give it up for a different language when it gets hard or you get puzzled (even though you don't seem to be now; which is a good sign.) Also, if you have questions, you should turn to Stack Overflow. People there will be able to answer any question you have.

 

By the way, if I were you, I'd try to write the program that I mentioned above with C++. It'll teach how to get information from files, how to create and manipulate arrays from strings, and how to output them.

You're not getting the picture here, I would encourage the guy to learn C++, but he gave up Java when he got puzzled. The reason I told him that is because if he's too puzzled by Java, he's going to be with C++.

[The Runar]

All THAT to say, C++ is a great language to learn. Even though many people say it's too big, or too complicated, or some other [cabbage], you're still better off learning it, especially if you want a career in software development. It'll get easier as you go along, just don't decide to give it up for a different language when it gets hard or you get puzzled (even though you don't seem to be now; which is a good sign.) Also, if you have questions, you should turn to Stack Overflow. People there will be able to answer any question you have.

 

By the way, if I were you, I'd try to write the program that I mentioned above with C++. It'll teach how to get information from files, how to create and manipulate arrays from strings, and how to output them.

You're not getting the picture here, I would encourage the guy to learn C++, but he gave up Java when he got puzzled. The reason I told him that is because if he's too puzzled by Java, he's going to be with C++.

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that... I often find "hard" things easy and "easy" things hard.

 

For example Ubuntu is said to be an easy Linux distribution, while Arch is said to be a hard one. However, because Arch gives me much more control over the things I do and makes me do everything myself, I learn a lot more about it and so find it easier than Ubuntu.

 

I probably could try Java again, but without an IDE this time. I actually find IDEs confusing because of having too much stuff included. SciTE is great for writing the code (syntax highlighting and such) and compiling from command line is very easy and fast too. What do I need an IDE for? :mellow:

[SkillingWoo]

It isn't like Java is leaps and bounds easier than C++. Java was derived from C++, so in learning C++ you're already helping yourself for when you do learn Java (as it will happen, to some degree, eventually). I'm not saying that Java sucks -- quite the opposite. Java is a great language to know, but so is C++, and I think that when you get past the basics and into the language, they're of equal difficulty.

[sloter]

Tiigon,

 

Obviously you're lacking experience. If you are here posting this on TIF you need to do some research as i had suggested in earlier post. If you find things so easy why are you here? I can assure you your knowledge with any language is low. Don't take this the wrong way i am not trying to insult you. Start small and work your way up. Since this is probably one of your first projects you will probably fail but, that is fine most peoples first projects are a failure. It is just how things with with this kind of thing. All your really going to get here on TIF is complication because you got several people that think they know what the're doing and maybe they do. What i would suggest to you is you pick up a language learn it and work with it for a while. Learning the language isn't hard at all but what is hard is learning how to implement it and write it efficiently. I am going to have to tag along with the people suggesting Java for cross platform.

[The Runar]

Tiigon,

 

Obviously you're lacking experience. If you are here posting this on TIF you need to do some research as i had suggested in earlier post. If you find things so easy why are you here?

 

The language itself is easy, but I had trouble choosing one.

 

I can assure you your knowledge with any language is low. Don't take this the wrong way i am not trying to insult you. Start small and work your way up. Since this is probably one of your first projects you will probably fail but, that is fine most peoples first projects are a failure. It is just how things with with this kind of thing.

 

I already have a great idea for a simple project which I could do with my current skills, would be good practice :)

 

All your really going to get here on TIF is complication because you got several people that think they know what the're doing and maybe they do. What i would suggest to you is you pick up a language learn it and work with it for a while. Learning the language isn't hard at all but what is hard is learning how to implement it and write it efficiently. I am going to have to tag along with the people suggesting Java for cross platform.

 

I think I'm going with C++ even if it's harder to do cross platform programs with it than with Java. I don't really care if it takes more time to learn it, as it has much more tutorials and much more people to help me with problems.

 

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I don't think I need your help anymore.

 

This thread can be locked, as it's turning into a war.

[SkillingWoo]

I'd like to throw in my last thoughts. People need to realize that this (game/software development) isn't a one-track road. It doesn't really matter where he starts, or in what direction he goes. There are lots of opportunities to work in the same exact field, but use different languages. While I suggest C++, I also (er, I think I did) said that he'd need to learn Java eventually. Guess what? He'll also need to learn (or be pretty familiar with) several other programming languages. Does it matter which he learns first? Not really. If he isn't wanting to learn Java, he won't have fun learning it. In my opinion, if he doesn't have fun with it, it's a waste of time.

 

"Oh, but, Andrew, wait...WAIT!!!! <insert language here> IS SO MUCH EASIER TO LEARN!!!!!!!"

 

That might be true for the first month or so of the learning process for whichever language, but when you actually get into the language, usually the only real difficulty you're going to face that might change between languages is how long it takes to write a program -- and if that's what you're basing your language bias on, well, then shame on you. Also, usually the languages that are "easier to learn" aren't as useful as the languages that are harder to learn. ;)