Where can I learn to program? I want to start out with C# or C++, but I dont know where to begin. I want something like CodeAcademy(I started python, but realized it wasnt good for games). I want to become a game dev someday, so I thought itd be good to start out early.  

I'd really recommend starting out with something like Python or JavaScript on Codecademy so you can understand the basics of coding before trying something more advanced like game development.

If you're really desperate to start developing games I'd recommend using Unity, it uses C#. This series goes through the basics of C# and Unity, it then goes on to guide you through making a simple 2D game.  

Posted by Vendetta

I'd really recommend starting out with something like Python or JavaScript on Codecademy so you can understand the basics of coding before trying something more advanced like game development.

If you're really desperate to start developing games I'd recommend using Unity, it uses C#. This series goes through the basics of C# and Unity, it then goes on to guide you through making a simple 2D game.

Thank you very much! I will finish python and then do that. Thank you so much.

Edit: What would you consider the "basics" of programming? I already know it consists of variable and functions(im still working on them).  

If you are really really new to it and want to learn while on the go (not home), you can download some apps in the AppStore and start there. There are a lot of good ones out there.  

I suggest checking out "Brackeys" on youtube.
He has guides on programming in C# and even how to develop some basic games using things like unity
http://youtube.com/brackeys  

Codecademy.com and Code.org are good  

printf {download lrn from App Store}  

Posted by MisterFace

What would you consider the "basics" of programming? I already know it consists of variable and functions(im still working on them).

I'd say the basics are stuff that are universal throughout most languages. So yeah variables and functions are a must, and that includes things like parameters too.

I'd also make sure you understand the difference between iteration and selection, as well as how to use them. Iteration includes loops such as while and for, there's more but some are language dependent, while and for are the ones that you'll need the most.

For selection make sure you understand how if, else and else if statements work and the operators that are used alongside them. It could also be useful to look into case/switch but I don't believe Python has it.

There's a lot more stuff but it's hard to define what is basic because it's just based on opinion. I'd consider you past a basic level when you feel comfortable writing your own programs without just following what someone on a guide is doing. If you go through the majority of the course on Codecademy you're guaranteed to come out at the end with solid knowledge of the language.  

Thank you guys! Im going to check out all of them!  

Is Python really an introductory language though? Its whitespace rules are pretty weird and not really how most languages do syntax. And Javascript isn't really what I'd consider a "normal" language. Its structure and deployment is way different than compiled languages.

In the end you want to learn the logic of programming, and then you can practically apply that knowledge to most languages. Java is a pretty standard introductory language, and mostly what you'd be taught if you took a class in school or the likes. Lots and lots of documentation and support. C# is very similar and you'd make the transition pretty easily but I found the documentation and library support for C# a bit lacking so never actually made the change. Java/C# are top-level languages which are interpreted by a virtual machine, meaning they're not as efficient as lower-level languages like C++. They're also object-oriented which many people can have a very hard time wrapping their head around. C++ is "the goto" language but lower-level, which means more powerful because you have more control... but also means you have more control to **** up. You manage the memory so you need to make sure you allocate and release memory or else you'll end up with memory leaks and the like. Java/C# get around this by using a "garbage collector" that pretty much manages your memory for you.

Either way, learn the logic on programming and apply said knowledge to any language. After a point you know what you're doing regardless and just familiarizing yourself with the "rules" and syntax that each language has.  

Posted by Dusty

Is Python really an introductory language though? Its whitespace rules are pretty weird and not really how most languages do syntax. And Javascript isn't really what I'd consider a "normal" language. Its structure and deployment is way different than compiled languages.

Compared to most languages Python has some pretty weird syntax rules. I'd say it's the most English-like language though, and by that I mean it's the easiest for someone with no prior programming experience to understand. When you're learning the basics I feel like syntax can sometimes overwhelm people and put them off coding, Python just focuses on the basics and allows you to just learn the logic of programming without needing to spend time learning the syntax. Of course you can just go ahead and jump straight into learning Java or C# and most people probably do that, I just found it easier when I first learned Python and then moved to C# because most of what you learn is transferable - I think it's just personal preference.  

Posted by Vendetta

Compared to most languages Python has some pretty weird syntax rules. I'd say it's the most English-like language though, and by that I mean it's the easiest for someone with no prior programming experience to understand. When you're learning the basics I feel like syntax can sometimes overwhelm people and put them off coding, Python just focuses on the basics and allows you to just learn the logic of programming without needing to spend time learning the syntax. Of course you can just go ahead and jump straight into learning Java or C# and most people probably do that, I just found it easier when I first learned Python and then moved to C# because most of what you learn is transferable - I think it's just personal preference.

I agree with you. I started with Python and then moved on to C and C++. I understood Python relatively well and I think that helped me move on to the more complicated languages.  

So I wrote this line of code in the codeacademy thing just to mess around. Is it alright or even right?

PHP Code:

def addthree(number):
    return addthree + 3
def total(number):
    if number == 5:
        print "Is equal to five"
    else:
        print "Its not five"

total(5) 


 

Posted by MisterFace

So I wrote this line of code in the codeacademy thing just to mess around. Is it alright or even right?

Spoiler

def addthree(number):
return addthree + 3
def total(number):
if number == 5:
print "Is equal to five"
else:
print "Its not five"

total(5)

Is this Python?
If so, I recommend downloading the Python IDLE, it's a script editor for Python that will let you write your code and run it. If you have an error, it will tell you what mistake you made.  

Posted by Shmegg

Is this Python?
If so, I recommend downloading the Python IDLE, it's a script editor for Python that will let you write your code and run it. If you have an error, it will tell you what mistake you made.

It is. Thank you, I'd never heard of an editor other than PyGame.