'lo, and need some advice

[LXXXIII]

I'm 24 years old and am no programmer, but a composer, music producer, musician, and philosopher. But I've always been interested in programming and computers since I was a kid. I've only fooled around with programming many times and all I managed to create with it were simple things, even trivial things.

The problem is that, even if I'm more or less familiar with syntax of some different languages and their basics, I can't really do anything interesting with them. Books I've read frustrated and confused in many cases, as they focused on showing off a language (often in an unnecessarily complicated way) rather than teach how to create worthwhile programs and how to solve problems. I am not interested in "many ways to do something"; I am the type that thinks there should be only one simple clear efficient (and intuitive) way.

As I've dabbled in the languages of Pascal, C, C++, Python, Java, Haskell, and probably some more, on and off and making nothing interesting with them, I have come to the conclusion my favourites are C, Pascal, Python, and D. Considering that, and that I've been picking up C once more lately, I am mostly interested in the language of D (which I like), because it seems a better C/C++, seems easier, looks familiar to me, can be good for pretty much anything, and because pointers don't interest me at all.

Now, onto the part where I ask you for advice.

How am I supposed to get cracking at creating applications using D? Which libraries are to be used (game programming especially)? How am I supposed to "think like a programmer"? I wish to avoid unnecessary frustration, therefore I usually avoid annoying installation procedures. For instance, I attempted to install DAllegro, but all I got was dead links and obsolete and/or verbose information. Likewise, or worse, with installing Tango (for which I've lost all interest because of that). Even got the book "Learn to Tango with D", but I'm not reading because I couldn't install the library. Better just use the standard Phobos library (for which there are no books at all).

I am starting to rant, but before I end this intro message I want to ask you how I should go about making my own OS or a file manager. If I'd decide to get cracking at something like this (which I probably won't), I'd want to start simple by making a shell and learn as I go along. This basic shell should have a few simple commands at least that enable basic tasks.

I am already thinking of the concept: a loop that keeps the user in the shell; commands (taking arguments) to search for files and directories; browsing files and directories; showing the current directory; show file sizes; and such. Any tips, guidelines, or any useful thing to add here?

LXXXIII

[MeTh0Dz]

There are already APIs for all of that stuff you talked about in the last paragraph. And what do you mean a 'better' C/C++?

[v0id]

I've no experience in D, but I found some of my old bookmarks which you may want to look into. A so-called library, derelict, should apparently be a good choice for game- and graphics-programming. You had some problems installing libraries, so I found a video-guide on how to install, and compile derelict, here (scroll down to ID: 5 and ID: 6). And at last, you can also find some tutorials on how to use SDL, GL and D together, here.

[LXXXIII]

Thanks, v0id, for the links. I noticed Derelict, but am having trouble getting the easy installation for Linux correctly done via DSSS. It's always the errors that obstruct advance, and then to read through incomplete information and such, or wade through forums, filtering stuff, searching answers. Ugh.... I could spend hours, even days, just to get basic things functioning which only decreases my enthusiasm, after which there are probably not many good tutorials to find which leaves me frustrated.

Instead of D, which is yet to be standardized and widely adopted, I was thinking of Pascal (FPC) or Modula-2, but if I remember correctly Pascal requires the use of pointers as does Mod-2 (for which there aren't many learning tools and which uses annoying capital keywords). It almost forces me back to C just because there is so much information on it, as I'd have to cope with vague pointer knowledge.

Arrrrgh.

[Xav]

Welcome to CodeCall! Which instrument(s) do you play?

[Jordan]

Welcome to CodeCall! I'm curious to know what 83 is? Is it your birth year?

[Xav]

No, his age. LOL

[Jordan]

He already stated his age, 24.

[Xav]

Oh, yeah.

[v0id]

Instead of D, which is yet to be standardized and widely adopted, I was thinking of Pascal (FPC) or Modula-2, but if I remember correctly Pascal requires the use of pointers as does Mod-2 (for which there aren't many learning tools and which uses annoying capital keywords). It almost forces me back to C just because there is so much information on it, as I'd have to cope with vague pointer knowledge.

It would be a shame to avoid D just because you can't get the installation of certain libraries to work properly, and I think you feel the same. I think you should stick to D, as it is, like you say, the language which appeals to you the most.
Where exactly are you failing to install Tango, and have you tried seeking help in their forum, if they have one? It might not be you who just can't get it to work; it may have an error.