What have been/are your learning techniques?

[SHC]

My programming backround may be one of the odds on the earth. First of all the fact is that I’m not a computer science student. ( I would be joining cse in this august. )

My father bought a computer when I was 8 which was running windows me. But I started using it when I became 12. The reason is that we are taught C at the school which I didn’t like well. At that time, I started playing online games and wanted to make one.

To distribute the games I learnt NSIS and I liked its syntax well. I made a trainer sort of app in NSIS which removed the AI from it.

When I became 14 a friend of mine introduced to me GameMaker. My target became making a clone to it. So I started searching for game development tutorials on online in YouTube. The first of them I found were of the NewBoston tutorials on java. So first I started learning java online. To understand it easily I started writing tutorials on it. They’re online at http://easyjavatutorial.weebly.com/.

Next I read David Brackeen’s book and implemented a game engine by modifying some parts. The next tutorials helped me are the space invaders series by Kevin Glass.

Then I ported the engine into c# and now started working on GameForge my own GameMaker clone.

Sorry for this long text but I think you’ve already read needed. Just try to implement.

[Otreum]

SHC I love your website, just looking over it now, it’s straight forward, simple, it has game orientated descriptions (that is a must for me, so that I can understand where things apply in games), and overall is really really well done. I think this morning I will be checking out your website first and foremost.

Then I will check out this website:

Nibby Codes

and this one:

James Saeed

Most tutorials seem to be based on Minicraft’s code which is not a bad thing as they all describe parts of the code differently, some don’t describe parts at all, where others do, which is handy.

Personally, I think i’m all confused about the maths behind creating a stable and consistent FPS across different systems. Perhaps it’s my limited knowledge of mathematics (I am very basic but can learn crazy quick when I want and need to). I would like to know how to go about creating my own timing method (unless Notch’s implementation is used everywhere by everyone and is the best method possible). I would like to be able to alter code and do “my own way” so that I understand how the code works basically.
At this stage, I think i’ll not call it quits or get too frustrated about not knowing how to do a timing/run method (whatever you call it) on my own, because I am still waiting on some books which I have been told, and I have read are great to explain what I need to know.

[SHC]

Thanks Otreum for posting links of those two tutorials. They are worth of seeing. Thanks for seeing my website. (I’m having very less page views. 3-6 per day). As I already stated, just try to implement what you know. (I don’t know any 3D stuff nor OpenGL 2D nor LWJGL or anything). This is the order I followed.

- Learn't Java (only for gaming)
- Seen my first tutorials at [url=http://zetcode.com/tutorials/javagamestutorial/]zetcode.com[/url]
- They seem to use timers. I replaced it with [url=http://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/lang/System.html#nanoTime()]System.nanoTime()[/url]
- Re-made the game Sokoban. (Breakout seemed tough)
- Remade [url=http://www.cokeandcode.com/info/tut2d.html]SpaceInvaders[/url] by Kevin Glass but with Fixed time step game loop from [url=http://www.koonsolo.com/news/dewitters-gameloop/]deWiTTERS[/url] article.
- Searched on how to make my own game engine. Bought Brackeen's book and studied it well but failed to understand the 3D techniques as the code didn't compile on my computer. (I would have passed in distinction if I had studied my text books).
- Tried on making my first game engine ( TileEngine. It didn't work with uniform speed on different platforms. )
- Again started on a game engine from scratch and made it opensource here at [url=http://code.google.com/p/game-engine-for-java/]Google Code[/url] in git repository.
- Brought GEJ to version 0.7 and written tutorials at [url=http://javagameheart.weebly.com/]JavaGameHeart[/url]. (Engine is currently 0.9 R2)
- Started learning HaXe but failed to target other than flash and neko
- Learnt C# by porting GEJ as GECS. (It'll be uploaded to googlecode repository soon after I found a free to include sound library)
- Started working on GameForge and released it's first look yesterday.

6OM1pVDQJOM

[Otreum]

Wow, thanks for taking the time to provide what steps you took/order you followed.
That’s exactly the kind of information I would like to know from other developers here

GameForge is looking great too, how long have you been working on it for?

[SHC]

Since a week. Currently searching for a way to save projects.

[matheus23]

@SHC

Since a week. Currently searching for a way to save projects.

Interesting. One can program Game Maker in a week… at least the non-codeable part…

Nice work! ;D

Is it written in Java or in C# now?

[SHC]

@matheus23

@SHC

Since a week. Currently searching for a way to save projects.

Interesting. One can program Game Maker in a week… at least the non-codeable part…

Nice work! ;D

Is it written in Java or in C# now?

I’m writing it in C#. Thanks for your interest. Do you know any embedable C# audio engines that are commercial friendly?

[Sammidysam]

- Why did you want to start programming? (What was your motivation?)
I learned Scratch one summer in a 2/3-day class because I do some learning thing with your grandparents each summer and I picked Computer Science one year. After making a pretty good zombie game in Scratch, I bought the first Humble Bundle Mojam. In it was a game called Catacomb Snatch by Mojang and it was rather buggy. Jeb posted an article on how to set up a workplace to fix the bugs yourself, so I decided to try to do so. Upon looking at the code though, I realized that it wouldn’t be very easy at all. From there I started doing console stuff and slowly worked my way up. I was also motivated by Minecraft, as I made a mod that sucked in it a month or two into learning. In the end I never really worked on Catacomb Snatch at all. I’m also probably never going back to Minecraft just for fun; making my own games is more fun for me. I am not ruling out looking at the code to get an idea of how it works and all though.
- Why did you choose to begin with the language you begun with? And if applicable, why are you using the language you are using now?
I chose Java because Catacomb Snatch and Minecraft were programmed in Java. I use Java now because C++ seems a lot more complicated for no use, and my friend who uses C++ harasses me if I use C# (not really, just tells me it’s not multi-platform and that it is not good for programs). Apparently it’s not easily multi-platform which is upsetting for him since I use Windows and he Linux. I am slowly trying to learn C++ now though. I basically know C# since I know Java. I felt right at home working with C# after learning Java. I have made stuff in Python as well. I’m going to work with F# likely today since I want to test it out and use it for a math study program. But I use Java the majority of the time, C# next, then C++. Python is very rare for me to use, but I do kind of like it.
- How long ago did you get started? And where are you at now?
I started Java in February of 2012. Whoa, it’s been over a year! That’s tremendous! I learned C# in early December I believe, and started learning C++ in early January I believe. I’ve been progressing extremely slowly however and I might just wait until July when I will likely take a class on C++ (my first ever programming class) to really get into it. I’m planning on using it for 3D tests right now, and will likely just use it to test OpenGL concepts in the future.

Now I am making two games, a strategy that my friend told me he would help me with but hasn’t and PixelZombies. I am also transferring my first game’s code to OOP, as I didn’t quite understand the concept upon making the game. Now I fully grasp OOP, so I will use it to its extend in all my future games. My first game is HungerGamesBoardGame, and it is pretty decent. After I fix PixelZombies’ code (it’s not very OOP right now) and implement some new features I will likely start making a basic side-scroller. In terms of libraries and other miscellaneous programs, I made a GamePatcher library that will help you in making launchers for your games (you can see these launchers at the topics for my two games) in Java and C#. The Java version is a lot better however since I haven’t updated the C# version as much as the Java version. I also made a bridge simulator program in C# for a science project at the end of 2012. It worked very well except for that the SmartBoard (big touchscreen) used in class didn’t activate the mouse click method and that made me have to direct someone over at the computer with what to do. It was a disappointing bug that I forgot to test for. You can see more of my projects at my GitHub page. I put most anything of value onto GitHub.
- What learning methods did you employ personally to help you develop your skills in programming?
Whenever I get a problem, I go to Google. Then if I am stumped further, I make a topic here. Though the latter barely ever happens. My way is probably not a very good way to go. If I had done it and started out with C++ I probably wouldn’t be programming because I would’ve gotten so confused.
- What advice could you give to other programmers who might be feeling a little lost in what direction to take?
Talk to your friends (ideally those who play games and don’t program) about what they want to see in a video game! Or, in my case for my first game, take a board game that you and your friend made and translate it into a video game.
- Is there anything you believe should be a “Rite of Passage” for programmers (such as the need to create hello world, or a snake program, etc etc).
I feel like if starting a new language, at least start by printing something. It doesn’t have to be “Hello world!” but just something will do. It’s the best starting point to get going.

[Apex5]

Interesting replies
- Why did you want to start programming? (What was your motivation?)
In some ways it was because I had been playing Minecraft a lot and thought it was awesum that one guy could have made it. The other part had to do with depression/feeling like I wasn’t good at anything and a childhood dream of being a coder(plus a long boring summer break).
- Why did you choose to begin with the language you begun with? And if applicable, why are you using the language you are using now?
Because of mc basically, plus the tutorials were there for Java. I’ve looked into C++, but certain features like forward declaration and header files just grind my gears, I use c# with unity and have no trouble (as it’s practically Java), also picked up vb.net for college (but did not prefer it at all :/).
- How long ago did you get started? And where are you at now?
The summer before last summer I believe (going from secondary to college). Currently I have started developing: top down shooter x1(J2D), side scroller x1(J2D), tile based multiplayer games (J2D/vb.net) x2, Random unity games x5. And have finished: LD23 entry (Unity)http://youtu.be/W7EbrPMPbgk , Multiplayer RTS/FP? Thronewars http://youtu.be/LwrvPDVEG1k (Unity), OpenGL Heightmap renderer (semi old vid: http://youtu.be/20uNfLZs_zU ), OpenGL Roguelike (latest video is really old). I’m currently developing a 2D sprite creation tool that I plan to make a post about at some point (why I was browsing here hehe) ^^ You can see most of my old projects at my old YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/618Lonewolf?feature=mhee
- What learning methods did you employ personally to help you develop your skills in programming?
I’m not someone who can read books for knowledge easily as I get bored, prefer to use them as a reference; so having video tutorials (thenewboston) that I could follow along and were very well explained helped a mega ton. Google is your friend, and I found that most of my questions had been answered before; most of the poor programmers I know from college are that way because they refuse to look anything up/think and so have to have their hand held: I feel independent learning is a vital skill for programming.
- What advice could you give to other programmers who might be feeling a little lost in what direction to take?
Think of a mechanic that would be cool, and write a program that does it; it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t turn into anything (I never finished anything I started when I started out), because it will give you experience and confidence that will help you make bigger, better things in the future (plus maybe finish something). Also when starting a project that seems to complex, start small; e.g. when making a voxel engine, learn how to render a single cube first.
- Is there anything you believe should be a “Rite of Passage” for programmers (such as the need to create hello world, or a snake program, etc etc).
Top down/sidescroller -> raycasting 2.5d -> OpenGL/3d game engine maybe -> Building a custom gui library and state system because sick of hardcoding stuff ^^
Doesn’t really matter to be honest.

[ra4king]

Well since everyone is doing their own…

- Why did you want to start programming? (What was your motivation?)
I’ve always been fascinated by video games since I was little, playing on the Dreamcast
When I got an Xbox 360 for Christmas ~6 years ago, I was blown away by the graphics and became more determined to learn about programming.
Then I got my very first computer: a laptop, the next Christmas. As I tinkered and tweaked with errors sometimes exploding in my face, my technical knowledge grew at a very rapid rate. When I started with actual programming is best related to the next question…

- Why did you choose to begin with the language you begun with? And if applicable, why are you using the language you are using now?
Well for the first year that I had my laptop, I wandered around not knowing where to start. I was always at the local bookstore reading programming books, feeling ever more hopelessly lost. Then just my luck, I failed to discover the programming class offered at my high school! Luckily, I had a friend who signed up for it and he told me what language they started with and shared with me some code: Java.
And so I decided that I shall start with Java: I bought a Java book at the bookstore, and began coding using the Windows Notepad and the command prompt. I never began using an IDE until a whole year later!
I have since learned other languages along the way but I still stick with Java because of its ease of use and attractiveness (and kickass IDEs! ;D)

- How long ago did you get started? And where are you at now?
I started teaching myself 3.5 years ago. I now fully know the language and am very experienced with OOP and code design. I don’t have many games to show for my experience, though, as I am more focused on learning now than actually making games. My website has a few games I made a long time ago, one of which (JDoodle Jump) got hugely popular and I was forced to remove it by the original creators of the game. This game helped me the most with game design, as it allowed me to gain experience in entity management and code design/layout. It also spawned a relatively fully featured Java2D library with a networking, UI, and entity systems that I think are awesome. I’ve used it for all my LudumDare games too. It can be found here.

- What learning methods did you employ personally to help you develop your skills in programming?
Notepad+Command prompt for learning all of Java’s syntax. I never had any editor help, which also helped me develop a strict set of formatting rules for myself so the code doesn’t get messy
IDE’s are for experienced coders who want to see results fast. As a beginner, you are in no rush to see results: you just want to learn.

- What advice could you give to other programmers who might be feeling a little lost in what direction to take?
I believe I wrote an article in the wiki section of this forum: How do I start Java Game Development?

- Is there anything you believe should be a “Rite of Passage” for programmers (such as the need to create hello world, or a snake program, etc etc)
There are no definite “Rite of Passage” programs, although I do strongly recommend recreating classic simple games such as Snake and Space Invaders.

[matheus23]

Quoting:

@ra4king

Well since everyone is doing their own…

- Why did you want to start programming? (What was your motivation?)
Like many others I was amazed by Minecraft. And seeing all those 2D Minecraft-remakes and even more important: Terraria I wanted to create my own 2D Minecraft / Terraria… Yes I began writing a clone. I called it “Terraria clone” back then. Now it’s WorldOfCube. But I somehow abandoned that project, sadly, I guess, but sometimes you just stumble upon Problems with your current design of code, making it - almost - impossible to add, for example, multiplayer support… Fixed now in my new Project! Ruins of Revenge.

- How long ago did you get started? And where are you at now?
2 years ago I started creating games using Game Maker. 1.5 years ago I started learning java. Since then I learned several programming languages, like C/C++, scheme, lisp and scala. I advise you to learn some other languages after learning java, too, especially ‘functional’ languages.

- What learning methods did you employ personally to help you develop your skills in programming?
Mentioned in the above question, learn different languages with different paradigms. Especially functionally languages.
Read code from others. Github is awesome! Look for projects of your kind (I guess games?). Minicraft and Notch’s Ludum dare entries were nice to begin with. Bigger projects are harder to get a head around, but Terasology is still ‘an intresting read’.
Other than that I could only think of practice.

- What advice could you give to other programmers who might be feeling a little lost in what direction to take?
I expect ‘what direction to take’ to be of terms like “What to do now? What game should I write?”. If you have no Idea, start looking around, play games, and If you found something with a nice game concept, which you think you could recreate, try to make a clone at least that’s how I started (somehow).

- Is there anything you believe should be a “Rite of Passage” for programmers (such as the need to create hello world, or a snake program, etc etc)
Oh. No. Definitely not in my opinion. People start in different ways. I created a platformer, other people created little music players, even other created a vocabular learning program. Just write what you feel like you are able to write, and do it!
A “Rite of Passage” might be writing a realtime networked game. But that comes pretty late. I’ve found that it’s needed to structure your code a lot differently, when I tried to network physics… MVC patterns then start to make sense… :persecutioncomplex:

- Why did you choose to begin with the language you begun with? And if applicable, why are you using the language you are using now?
Oh this is a nice story.
It began a long long time ago… maybe not too long ago ^^ 2 years and 31 weeks ago (bam! the exact time! ). Back then I got a game: World of Goo (yeah WorldOfCube is inspired by that game’s name. I felt it somehow deserved that tribute, since Its what made me start game developing).
Back then I was so amazed by that game I started visiting the modding community 6 days after I got the game. They provided an Editor to make levels for World of Goo and even made possible to publish them on their website. Take a look!, they’re probably the best community I’ve ever seen (except for you guys, of course ). These are my creations from back then.

Someday one guy from that forum posted a game made with game maker. I was amazed by that. “What? I can make games with that? This doesn’t look more complicated than WooGLE!” (the World of goo editor). So I downloaded the Lite version of Game maker and began learning how to use it with Youtube videos. (So great times if I think back… even though it’s only ‘bout 2 years ago…’)
For about half a year I learned Game Maker so fast, that I feeled like ‘A SUPER BADASS’ coder, not using the drag-n’-drop features anymore, but actually writing ‘ULTRA ABSTRACTED SCRIPTS LIKE A BOSS’ now. Back then I was productive… I also learned the first basics of creating a Platformer (the physics n’ stuff), which came in quite handy when starting with WorldOfCube.

Coming to WorldOfCube, this was the time I started with WorldOfCube. Back then it was ‘Terraria’ in Game Maker. Using advanced techneques like "grid"s and runtime-tile-generation (I had a terrain generator!) instead of Objects. I was trying to get it work fast. It didn’t fulfill my needs. It was slow, and I was sure it wasn’t my fault (the problem was, that rendering time was map-size dependent, even though it shouldn’t be! It’s always drawing the same section of the screen, always the same number of objects. Usually it shouldn’t slow down…), additionally I had a rather intresting problem: In Game Maker you can’t really hold references to certain objects. Acessing objects is done statically, though you’re somehow still only accessing a single instance… strange somehow… Didn’t understand it back then, not understanding it yet, since I didn’t take a look again ^^.

That’s why I moved on to Java. It was a rather easy process for me to learn java, since I already knew GML (Game Maker Language). In java I then created another version of WorldOfCube. This is where it got it’s name. I worked out the basics of Chunks, did optimization again… Using VolatileImages in rather strange ways. Yes. It was Java2D back then, but it isn’t anymore, I promise!
I lost interest in WorldOfCube about 2 months after that. I had lots of learning projects aside in that time and WorldOfCube was 5k lines big. I wrote while the other children were playing games, and even much, much longer.
Seeking for even more performance I started learning C++ in my winter break. (I argued with my brother (who is programming, too) about GC’s. I said “GC’s create irregular pauses in my games, doing the garbage collection manually is much better!”, well… I stand corrected ^^) I even know the night where I started… It was 4 am when I finally got C++ with Eclipse CDT working, tough it didn’t want to run… I had to run it in the CMD… 10 minutes later I had it working in Linux with Eclipse CDT… Btw, it was the same night I switched to Using Linux almost only, as long as I was having a programming period.

Now, the 3rd version of WorldOfCube was written. This time in C++. (First time Github and Git for me back then =) ). Shortly after that I understood that I should take a look at OpenGL (still trying to optimize stuff). I started writing a simple 3D OpenGL demo in the beginning using immediate mode, later display lists. When I tried using VBO’s I come across some weird errors. After finding out I need to ‘enable’ OpenGL version from beyond 1.1 somehow, I struggled setting up libraries so they make this available. I didn’t know GLEW and EGL back then…

That’s the reason why I switched back to java. Frustrated I did some fun projects which finally let me strand here, in JGO. Good, but somehow embarrassing first experience (I had a lot major problems with my new program back then)
But after some time I found out about LWJGL. An OpenGL wrapper for java. Awesome! I started writing my 4th version of WorldOfCube. I just couldn’t stop it So that one is the last one. As I said I’ve already abandoned it. But my fingers tickle! I will probably start a new version in Scala this time… seriously…

Here in my story is a big black hole. I didn’t program for a couple of months. I know those times when I stop programming for a week or some days, because I didn’t want to… but this time it was different. There is not much to say about it than that you should know those exist. Some people even don’t program for years and then start doing it again. You shouldn’t worry about it. It’s up to you how to handle such situations.

Continuing in the long, long story, after getting back I continued writing WorldOfCube. It was a rather … not so fun time. I just had to refactor it. And It was very very hard to get rid of all those errors. And I couldn’t even playtest my game, because it wasn’t compiling. Of course the errors itself weren’t really a problem, but if you just rip your building apart you need some time recreating it, so it doesn’t rain inside. And sometimes - when you think you’ve finished - there is still water coming from somewhere. I had really major bugs in WorldOfCube. In the beginning it didn’t even draw anything, and it didn’t get better quickly. But I got over that time and got everything working. Though I now still have abandoned it.

Now a story of programming languages follows:
My brother was always a language engineer. He didn’t like Java at all… a point for friendly bro-arguing with my brother there, but now… arg I even agree him in some points.
He had a look at almost any language I know (or knew back then). He jumped from one language to another. Beginning at Java or C/C++ ending up with Haskell now. Everything you need to know about haskell is: Haskell is f*cking different from Java and (in comparison) is from another world.
He tried to explain me languages like Scheme, especially racket scheme and guile scheme, which he used himself. They already differ a lot from Java simply by their lisp-y syntax. I didn’t come around learning it.
Now - we’re only about a couple of months away from today - my brother gifted me “Land of Lisp”. I really took a look and read half trough the book, but I started taking a look at scala aside instead. I already knew the libraries so scala was easier. I took a look at scala before, but back then all I did was translating Java code into scala (this is an incredible mistake! You need to think functional, not imperative. It’s another way of thinking, a new way of programming. It’s the reason why there is such a big difference between Haskell and Java). But this time I was really starting to think in scala.

This is where I am. The long story is over. By the way I created Ruins of Revenge (see signature) a couple of weeks ago as a major project in java before I switched to scala. I didn’t find it necessary to be mentioned.

Reading through this whole story again it feels like being impossible to have experienced so many things in only 2 and a half years. There is even much, much more. Wow, I'm happy that I've written that down. Programming life is awesome!

This turned out to be more of a biography than an answer, but I think that’s okay. This might not help you out at all, but I think it’s quite an entertaining read. I could have written it shorter, but whatever… Now stand up and create your own story!

[Biggest wall of text from me so far]

[Otreum]

Thanks heaps for that guys, a biography is actually really good to put down here, give you guys a chance to tell everyone a bit about yourself and your background while at the same time providing them with insight on your experience in programming and perhaps inspiration too, you guys have given me some!

I think it’s kind of strange though, that a lot of people out there say they run out of ideas or don’t have many ideas, so it’s hard to keep going, but I think i’m the complete opposite, my brain is flooded with ideas, I can make up random arsed ideas off the top of my head right now if I were asked, and then turn it into a cool game concept, or most likely a quirky one…that’s actually how most of my ideas are born, through brainstorming, or through general conversation with other people, even about non game related topics.

Anyway, I thought I would share a little something with you guys of what I was working on yesterday. It is basically a bunch of 32x32 tiles, which I could probably just do as 16x16 tiles, for a project I would like to do later on.
Full details on the project aren’t really fleshed out yet, I could really take any direction I want. But the main priority right now, to be honest, is to just work out how to load images and create a level out of them.

Here are some pics of what i’ve been working on. And nothing is really final, I just wanted a break from programming to create something colourful, rather than reading and typing black and white for 14 hours

The first one is just a compilation of 15 different tiles out of 28 that I have made, the next 2 images are of a shark concept in shallow and deep water.

(Ignore the fact that the shallow water shark has a shadow which seems to be more appropriate to an isometric game, I only added that for showcase effect )
Now something I have been trying to find out is if it is feasible to use 32x32 tiles with alpha (ARGB?) for Java2D without huge performance loss? If it’s not, then i’ll prob jump over to LWJGL.

Anyway, you guys don’t have to answer the random question, but thought i’d show a little art that i’ve been working on.

[philfrei]

- Why did you want to start programming? (What was your motivation?)
In the blood? My father worked for IBM and programmed the Mormon geneology database in the 1960’s. There was a lot of encouragement from him around things like math, probability and games.

- Why did you choose to begin with the language you begun with? And if applicable, why are you using the language you are using now?
BASIC was what was available in a classroom at the time. But it really didn’t inspire me that much. I like Java because it is a language that performs at a high level enough level where I can dabble in sound synthesis, because it is free, and because it makes sense to me as a language. Built-in support for multi-threading seemed to indicate there is still a future for the language. We’ll see.

- How long ago did you get started? And where are you at now? Got started with Java 3 years ago. I am close to qualifying for a Java Associate–my last practice test was a score of 73. Am pretty good with 2D and sound and getting better with aspects of functional programming and multithreading techniques. The Java Associate test has been a HARD challenge, maybe due to being over-reliant on Eclipse, maybe because I don’t tend to “think like that”–am more attuned to patterns than rules of syntax.

- What learning methods did you employ personally to help you develop your skills in programming?

1. There is too much to learn. Period. So I try to put on blinders and only learn what is directly needed for a specific goal on a game or project I am working on. Hasn’t really worked, as I still am having trouble finishing things. (Related: agile programming philosophy–don’t put in capabilities into the code until there is a clearly demonstrated need.)
2. Simply reading or observing doesn’t work for me. Unless I run test programs and try to break things and find out their tolerances, I will forget 90% of what I read if it pertains to syntax or abstractions.

- What advice could you give to other programmers who might be feeling a little lost in what direction to take?
I will limit myself to advice for YOU based on the little I’ve learned reading this thread. And I may be “projecting” like crazy. That said, given that you have lots of ideas rather than a dearth, I’d suggest consider pursuing aspects of programming where brainstorming is a plus–e.g. something with a design element. Also, you have artistic talent and enjoy using it, you have some right-brain skills (just demonstrated!), so it makes sense to me that you might gravitate towards roles that provide a bridge between artists and programmers. In this sense, working on game engines, or game-art tools might be a good fit. But I don’t know enough about larger game programming companies to know if there is hiring for such a role or exactly what that would look like.

- Is there anything you believe should be a “Rite of Passage” for programmers (such as the need to create hello world, or a snake program, etc etc).
I like to make a bouncing ball. With gravity.
Finishing a game is a good rite of passage, probably, especially if the finishing is to the level of marketability. There is a world of difference between something that works and is fun to play personally and something which can be sold. I did this as a Basic programmer and a FORTH programmer back in the 1980’s (I split my time between database contract work and musical composition now). But I’m still working to complete my first Java game (“Hexara”) and got side-tracked working on a texture generating tool to help with procedural graphics, and another side track is an audio tool (FM synthesis) that is half-way there for use in generating sound cues dynamically. These topics are passion-fueled for me, so I’ve let the “finish a frigging game already” advice slide. I’m also NOT employed in the game field, yet. But when I do get there, I want it to involve an aspect that I am passionate about, not just ANY game programming job. We’ve had some comments from folks working IN the game industry that are kind of strapped down, and dabble here with Java games, as independents, in order to keep their creativity alive.

[Sammidysam]

I’m really enjoying all these mini-biographies. I even put mine on my website. Thank you, Otreum, for getting us all to write these. They are enjoyable

[Otreum]

I’m happy to ask the questions so long as people are happy to answer them

I think everyone benefits from this thread. People get to talk about themselves and their experience (which most people enjoy doing, but don’t get asked), and people get to gain inspiration and insight on other programmers’ experiences.
Not only that but knowing about the experience of other community members helps bring the community closer together, and have a better understanding of one another (I sound like such a hippie :P).

Feel free to ask questions of other programmers in this thread if you think it is relevant to the topic

[Otreum]

Also, just thought i’d share some more work in progress game art assets to show off (tease).

I also got Developing Games in Java by David Brackeen in the mail today, so I will be working through that book for however long it takes me now rather than trying to jump ahead and get frustrated like I have been.

[nerb]

- Why did you want to start programming? (What was your motivation?)

Mainly because I saw a great opportunity to automate big, tedious tasks at work, and reduce error in tasks with shiploads of numbers involved. I managed to save ridiculous amounts of time, which meant I had more time to smoke and drink coffee.

My motivation then changed once I realised programming is tremendously fun, and the desire to “tinker” with things soon took over.

- Why did you choose to begin with the language you begun with? And if applicable, why are you using the language you are using now?

Technically I began with BASIC when I was a wee child, because a family friend was quite adept at it, and I knew no better. This however was nothing more than creating custom DOS menus etc.

My first ‘real’ foray into programming was with VBA, as it was the easiest way to interact with major programs I use at work; namely ESRI ArcGIS and the MS Office suite. I still use it when the need arises, but I really dislike it now after spending a lot of time with Java. I’d go as far to say that it is a horrible language that should be avoided, particularly by those starting out (Could this be extended to VB?? Anyone else got an opinion? I’ve never actually worked with VB, just VBA).

I started learning Java as I wanted to begin writing my own programs. I liked the Java syntax; it seemed logical to me. There also appeared to be plenty of resources available to learn it. It was also a very ‘welcoming’ language for people starting out, compared to something like C for example. I’m still using Java as I have put most of my time into learning the language.

I’ve since started learning C, just for the hell of it. Although this is more out of interest, and I’ve yet to do anything functional with it. It is partly because of an interest in electronics and microcontrollers, which I hope to learn more about when I get some time. I’d also like to play around with the Windows API one day. I’m one of those people that likes to learn things purely for the sake of learning, I enjoy it. However, this unfortunately means I know little about much, not much about little.

I’ve got a couple of books on Python laying around. I’ve got no intention of learning it yet, but may get around to it one day. Python is the ‘language of choice’ for the latest version of ArcGIS, so if I end up working with it I will probably pick up the books sooner than later.

- How long ago did you get started? And where are you at now?

(Java) About 2 or 3 years ago I think. I’m proficient enough that I can usually accomplish what I want to, but not without some help along the way (such as API references, forums such as these, and a book or two). As I’m an enthusiast, not a ‘real’ programmer, I progress slowly.

I’m considering doing a part-time computer science degree by correspondence in the near future, so hopefully I can one day change that ‘enthusiast’ title.

- What learning methods did you employ personally to help you develop your skills in programming?

Books! Lots of them. Amazon became my best friend, and ate lots of my money. I’d often purchase multiple books on the same subject as there is always more than one way to skin a cat. I also found if I struggled to understand what one author was saying, another author may describe the problem better. Furthermore, I aimed to get a good mix of ‘tutorial’ books, and ‘reference’ books.

Second to that, playing around. I believe the best way to learn is by doing. I’d often discover a concept that I wanted to learn more about (networking, graphics, bits & bytes etc.), so would open up the IDE and begin programming. I’d never have a particular goal in mind, I just liked to mess around and see what I could do. As a result I’ve got lots of little programs stashed away that explore a particular concept, none of which are very complete or spectacular, but I keep them for future reference.

- What advice could you give to other programmers who might be feeling a little lost in what direction to take?

As mentioned I’m an enthusiast, not a programmer, so I don’t really feel qualified enough to give any meaningful advice. The only thing I would say is “Nike: Just do it”. If you are stuck on a particular problem and can’t wrap you head around it, just start programming and playing around. You’ll soon discover what you need to, and hopefully enjoy the process along the way. Not everything can be learnt from a reference.

- Is there anything you believe should be a “Rite of Passage” for programmers?

No. But as a newbie, that glorious moment when you first get animated graphics on the screen is very memorable. Start small and work your way up. Rome wasn’t built in a day; nor was SimCity 2000.

[Otreum]

I’ve just bought myself the book “Head First Java 2nd Edition” and I have to say it is a really well written book, so anybody reading this thread, take my recommendation for this book, I’m a newbie and to be honest, i’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, especially when it comes to reading, but this book has employed teaching methods that I have always wished for when programming. This book doesn’t just give you a bunch of explanations of code, it explains them in Laymans terms for dummies like me, and even includes pictures to help stimulate the brain and keep things interesting and unique every page.
It includes activities to get your brain actively thinking, rather than passively reading over everything, which I think is really important.
I have already been through the basics through other resources, but i’ve been going through all the basics again in this book and since it’s explained so well, I understand some things in the basics that I didn’t fully understand before.

Anyway, while it may be somewhat old, I would definitely recommend it, even for experienced programmers, it looks like it would make for great reference material (even though the book states it is not designed to be as such).

Also, here is yet another image showing a mock up battle. Note that this only uses one soldier sprite, just with different modular parts such as armor taken off him.

[sproingie]

Yeah even the cranky old curmudgeons in freenode ##java almost all recommend Head First Java as a beginner book. It affects a sort of annoying “attitude” like a print version of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle or something, but it is chock full of good information.

[nerb]

@Otreum

I’ve just bought myself the book “Head First Java 2nd Edition”

That book is absolute gold. It was my first Java book, and my first book on a ‘real’ OOP language. Without it, I probably would have given up a long time ago. If there are any complete newbies reading this, take heed of Otreum’s recommendation. :point: