14 replies to this topic

[Viper95]

Hello,
I know nothing about programming or any languages or even what to get.
I have a Macbook pro and I want to make software and games. Apple have something called Xcode but I don't know what that is. What is the difference in all the languages like objective c and c++ and c#etc...

What book would be best to buy for beginners. Please help me. What program do I write software in?

Thanks,
John.

[Viper95]

One more thing!
I have seen someone write something in some c++ thing and I was wondering - how does it do graphics? Lets say I want a buigatti veyron in a program - how would I do it?
Thanks,
John.

[opwuaioc]

A very, very large question. To put it succinctly, unless you're wanting to do large scale development, you might want to learn Java, Javascript, or Actionscript. If you have in mind to work for a company making games, or work on an amateur teams with giant games, grab a book on C or C++ and start there. The journey is long and hard, but in my opinion, well worth it if you have the time.

[Viper95]

Hi there,
Thanks for all your help!
What is the difference between C and C++?
What software do I need to use C or C++?
How would I put graphics in the program? - If I made a racing game how would I put a car in there? Would I need something else to do that?

Thanks,
John.

[Viper95]

And one more thing - I would like to write games for the iPhone - is objective c the same as C? And please could someone tell me how to do graphics on an iphone game?
Does Xcode do iPhone games/apps?

[opwuaioc]

Here, Google is your friend, and so is Wikipedia. C++ is C with some modifications to make it an object oriented language. Objective C was developed to incorporate Smalltalk features, and is used primarily by Apple. As far as software goes, that depends on what you want to do and what operating system do you have. Do you use Mac, Windows, or Linux?

[WingedPanther]

If you want to code for Mac, I'd suggest Objective-C and Cocoa. Be warned, however, you may be looking at a significant investment of time before you get your first game created. If you aren't aware of various programming idioms, etc, it may be difficult to explain the differences between various languages.

[Viper95]

Hi there,
Thanks for all your help!
Yes I know it will take many years before I even make a simple program but I still want to gradually learn. I'm using mac OS X Snow Leopard. Please could you answer a few questions for me.

1. What can Objective-C do that C++ can't (vise verser)

2. Can Objective-C make applications for winodws, mac, linux and iphone?

3. Would Xcode work to make computer apps and iphone apps?

4. How do I add graphics to a game?

5. What is C#?

6. What is the best book on objective-c for total beginners?

7. Can C++ make apps for windows, mac, linux and iphone?


Thankyou,
John.

[WingedPanther]

Viper95 said:

Hi there,
Thanks for all your help!
Yes I know it will take many years before I even make a simple program but I still want to gradually learn. I'm using mac OS X Snow Leopard. Please could you answer a few questions for me.

1. What can Objective-C do that C++ can't (vise verser)

Short answer: nothing. Objective-C is the defacto programming language of the Mac.

Viper95 said:

2. Can Objective-C make applications for winodws, mac, linux and iphone?

Yes, but Mac/iPhone particularly use it.

Viper95 said:

3. Would Xcode work to make computer apps and iphone apps?

Xcode is a development environment, the Mac equivalent of Visual studio.

Viper95 said:

4. How do I add graphics to a game?

By using the appropriate graphics API. That's where Cocoa comes in.

Viper95 said:

5. What is C#?

C# is another programming language that relies on Microsoft's .NET platform. I wouldn't use it for Mac/Linux, though you can use some of it via Mono.

Viper95 said:

6. What is the best book on objective-c for total beginners?

I have no idea. I've never studied it.

Viper95 said:

7. Can C++ make apps for windows, mac, linux and iphone?


Thankyou,
John.

Yes.

[gloomy]

Besides this, you need to have a good logic thinking and know math...

[Viper95]

Hi there,
Thanks for all your help.
I think that I will use objective-C.

What is cocoa?


What level of maths would I need to program - I am doing a GCSE in maths (Would that be OK?)

Thanks,
John.

[Viper95]

Oh and one more thing - can you confirm that I can makes apps with objective-c and cocoa in Xcode?

Thanks,
John.