Help With Programming

seumasbeathan

seumasbeathan

Banned
So basicilly I really enjoy programming but at the moment I'm not to good at it, I have only done some basic vb stuff, just started working on learning stuff like the mid function and arrays. I know there are some programmers on here so I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on just anything really. Good websites for learning, good programs to design etc. I am usually quite quick at learning so Feel free to suggest some stuff that is maybe a little advanced for me at the moment.

Cheers
 
what aspect of programming interests you the most?

gaming? databases? web-based? ???

vb is great for beginning to understand coding flow, but i suggest that you first go back to basics. and with that i mean BASIC (not visual). other programmers will back me up here.... the .NET framework hides alot of the foundations away from a real programmer, by doing most of the work for you.

i suggest learning how to program for DOS first, with compilers like gwBASIC; QuickBASIC; powerBasic; etc...

start by writing your own lottery number predictor, or maybe a simple tic-tac-toe / hangman game.

learn how to manage subroutines, functions and if-logic correctly, before learning anything advanced. learn to walk 1st.

once the fundamentals of DOS-based programming has been learnt, convert your code in VB (this is called porting). AND only when you have grasped that, move onto win32 coding.

never rely on VB to be the programming language of your dreams... it won't be! but, if learnt thoroughly can be used as a great 'stable' stepping stone to other, more powerful, programming languages such as C++, etc.
 
This might be a stupid question but well with vb you obviously have the vb program to design your program, the question is, how do i code with the languages you suggested?

Oh and thanks for the help :)
 
the DOS versions of BASIC (that i named) are free on the web - just google them

the sites that host them - will also have code snippets to learn, by example (excuse the pun!), from.

remember, BASIC programs written in 'almost' any IDE (integrated developer environment) are interpretted (ie: they are not compiled to assembler). most other high-level IDEs compile to native code (fastest).

but, seriously, if you have started on VB.NET... i suggest a move to C# (c-sharp). it is better by far, and alot more 'depth from coding' can be achieved. (visual C# express is free; for non-commercial use). it uses the same IDE as VB and is a cross between C++ and basic(VB).

try it :D
 
Do you not have a dreamspark account? If you are a student try registering with your name and whatever college/uni you go to and it will give you free access to a large number of programs.

EDIT: Or you can be cheeky and use another Uni's name and register that way. The website doesn't ask for any further information so it's really easy to sign up. You can download Visual Studio 2010 for free :D.
 
Last edited:
yassarikhan786 said:
Do you not have a dreamspark account? If you are a student try registering with your name and whatever college/uni you go to and it will give you free access to a large number of programs.

EDIT: Or you can be cheeky and use another Uni's name and register that way. The website doesn't ask for any further information so it's really easy to sign up. You can download Visual Studio 2010 for free :D.
Click to expand...

Thanks for telling me about that site :) I couldn't find my college so I just said I went to some place in oxford :L

Edit : It would appear its not that easy :( Its asking me for my openathens login which I do not have :(
 
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it has been brought to my attention, that a games programming book series would be a great seller.

it would probably be a 6 book compilation, and may look like this:

1. coding foundations: C++ primer (game coding is different that programming for winforms).
2. game math and logic
3. building your own game engine
4. directX GPU implementations
5. advanced game coding techniques and special FX through shaders
6. designing a game's designer/editor


is this something students would be interested in?

or, do you think ONE HUGE 'expensive' mega-bible would be better?
 
dugdiamond said:
it has been brought to my attention, that a games programming book series would be a great seller.

it would probably be a 6 book compilation, and may look like this:

1. coding foundations: C++ primer (game coding is different that programming for winforms).
2. game math and logic
3. building your own game engine
4. directX GPU implementations
5. advanced game coding techniques and special FX through shaders
6. designing a game's designer/editor


is this something students would be interested in?

or, do you think ONE HUGE 'expensive' mega-bible would be better?
Click to expand...

IMO One big book would for me anyway be really off putting, I would much prefer to be able to have littler books :)
 
the 'little' books in the series will NOT be little - probably they will end up being anywhere from 500 to 1000 pages in total (EACH). ;)

they will cover everything required for you to 'go it alone'. by the end of the series, the reader should (in theory) be able to write their own SDK (like: unreal, cryengine, trinigy, unity, etc.)... but as you have done all the coding yourself, it will be alot cheaper.

instead of paying 10s of 1000s for a commercial license for theirs, you could get others to pay you loadsamoney for yours :)

the series (course) will be written alongside the creation of my own SDK
 
dugdiamond said:
the 'little' books in the series will NOT be little - probably they will end up being anywhere from 500 to 1000 pages in total (EACH). ;)

they will cover everything required for you to 'go it alone'. by the end of the series, the reader should (in theory) be able to write their own SDK (like: unreal, cryengine, trinigy, unity, etc.)... but as you have done all the coding yourself, it will be alot cheaper.

instead of paying 10s of 1000s for a commercial license for theirs, you could get others to pay you loadsamoney for yours :)

the series (course) will be written alongside the creation of my own SDK
Click to expand...

Still better that one book with like 5000+ pages :L
 
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