5 replies to this topic

[Psychotron]

I'm a beginner and have to make the choice between the Java and C++ intro classes. I'm in Java right now and like it, but something just doesn't feel right about it. It's too business-like I think and boring (probably because I view it as business-like). I guess I’m just looking for advice and for someone to tell me if what I’m thinking is generally correct.

I view C++ as a fun language, although I have no experience with it. The thought in the back of my mind, that I could be a game developer, is a big factor as well. Right now, I'm thinking that C++ is more about graphics, which is more appealing to me also. Is this feeling I have correct?

I used to program on my own with Microsoft VB, and I loved it. It was very fun for me. What is more "fun" to you, Java vs. C++?

[bbqroast]

C++ because I don't know Java, I really should learn it thou cause being able to write my own basic Bukkit plugins would be a life saver.
C++ is the industry standard for gaming (or C I forget- C++ is really just C with OOP so go with C++) partly because of it's amazingly low level programming, on the other side of the flip it takes a LOT to programing game from scratch so I recommend you use either SDL for 2D games or OpenGL for 3D games.

The thing I like about C++ is that when I am playing games like Half Life 2 and Portal I know that they are (at least partly) programmed in C++.

[WingedPanther]

Please be aware: the core C++ language has absolutely no support for graphics, networking, or a mouse. It's the additional libraries that provide all of that.

[mastrgamr]

Both languages are great with games. C/C++ is more of the industry standard as I understand it, notice I said C (slash) C++, because from what I see in job listings, companies require some knowledge of one and the other. It really depends on the company. I don't know how much you know about C++ but from what I've read on game development forums it definately is no fun (that's not to say You wont have fun with it), it definately has its challanges.
Since the creation of Android I seen a huge growth in Java games, Java is really versatile but not as low level as C++ which is why it's not really a language used by most console developers.
The way I see it is Java is more the hobbyist/Indie language, and C++ is the AAA language. But who's to say you shouldn't learn both? Later on down the line of your career, or schooling you can pick up another class on either language.

in my personal opinion, I would go with the intro to C++ class because, like yourself I want to make it in the industry one day. I have beginner knowledge of both languages but only had taken an intro to Java class, and the language is really fun (i used to hate it) and very VERY large (which is one of it's weak points as well). To make a decision i would recommend going on Job postings and looking at the requirements for working there so you can get an idea of what path to take.

[RhetoricalRuvim]

mastrgamr said:

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it definately has its challanges.
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I'd say any language has challenges, especially if the program is complex, what games tend to be.

For it to be easier, I'd recommend going with the one that's easier to debug. In my case, assembly language is easiest to debug; there might not be many assembly language programmer job positions, though.

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bbqroast said:

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C++ because I don't know Java,
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I don't know Java either, but I did learn C/C++, though I'm not as experienced with it as I am with assembly.

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But if I had to choose betwixt the two you said, I'd say C++, because it's more flexible than Java - from the example programs I just took a quick look at right now. I mean, in Java, you have to type all that 'public void ...' or '... static ...' , but in C/C++ you just have to type 'int main (int argc, char * argv[]){ ...' , which seems to me like less typing.

Also, C is usually compatible with C++. I don't know whether all C++ compilers would let you use C standard libraries, but they should at least let you use the rest of the C language.

Again, I'm more used to thinking at the processor level, so if I did have the choice of assembly language, I'd go with that.

[WingedPanther]

Java and C++ are fairly comparable. Don't forget about flash games for another indie market.