To the programmers out there...

[The EvilAlex]

I just finished middle school this year, on average, I'm lazy as hell. So for the next two months I was wondering what should I do next, and I ended up in a high school, next to my house, talking to the school principal. And he got me interested, so without a second thought I agreed to study at there High School for a Programmer and signed the papers and told him that I will be learning everything in English (This is not my native language).

Personally I'm exited because I spent half of my life on my butt, in front of a monitor. And my dream was always to be involved in a video game development business, with cool people.

But even though I learned English and know a thing or two about PC's, consoles, applications, etc..., I never got to the programing bit, and I know nothing of this.

So I decided to ask my fellow OverClockers and get a head start on this before September.

1. Is there anything I need to know about being a programmer and can you give me a couple of tips??

2. Maybe I should start learning the basics??

3. Will this get me any closer to my dream of being a game developer??

Any reply is appreciated.

[wildman2]

The gaming industry is a tough business.The only advice that I can give is to learn more than just the programing side of it.You need to be multi-talented which is to say that you need to know well or have a real good idea how to do most everything for the game from the ground up.Which can include the use of photoshop and texturing to networking and web page stuff down to the basics of 3d modeling and UV mapping and animation.The more you know about game creation the more valuable you will be to a company that might want to higher you.Cause you wont just be a programmer at most developers you will more than likely be asked to do/participate in other aspects of the game.Well that's my 2 cents worth.Good luck with your learning.

[BizaroStormy]

1. You ever seen The Matrix? Ya .... programming is nothing like that at all LOL

Its really a lot more mundane and simple than you would think, all you basically do is create a "script" that tells the computer what to do in a consecutive order.

 

2. If you want to learn the basics you should buy a book on the language you want to learn, Java, C, visual basic are good first programming languages

Most people use C++ to make games though.

 

3. very few programmers actually make games, so if you want to do that you will probably have to self teach yourself.

Edited August 1, 2010 by BizaroStormy

[damian]

I'm also a noob when it comes to programming but it has interested me enough to give it a try. Just head over to your local book store and look for books that teach you how. The most important languages being C and C++. Read them, study them, and get ahead of the other students.

 

Also, familiarizing yourself with Adobe Photoshop wouldn't hurt (in fact you might as well say its a must)

Edited August 1, 2010 by damian

[suedenim]

As in most things, games is more than just cutting code and creating graphics and if you do go this route don't be surprised to find yourself having to specialise to progress. Look at the jobs here, decide on what tickles your fancy and do more research. Also bear in mind that because you like playing games doesn't mean you will like working on them. I enjoy coding at work but do none of that when I'm home. Also the gaming industry is a good source for tales of employment woe when it comes to work/life balance - less of an issue when you are young with fewer responsibilities.

 

If you are dead set on games development then learn to code (C or C++) but in a general fashion, don't get specific just yet, and try to get involved in mod making.

Edited August 2, 2010 by suedenim

[WhenKittensATK]

Learn good habits:

 

1. Try to write down your code before you make a program (sometimes we just forget to do this, sometimes people just wing it, or etc)

2. Write detailed comments for each block of code (this helps you and others read your code easier)

3. Keep several versions of your program if you decide to make big changes (that way you can always go back if you need to)

4. Use good variable names (don't use something that is too vague)

5. Make your code reader friendly (use correct spacing and indenting; most editors have this automated)

6. Listen to the advice of others and ask to read their code of a same program (everyone writes code differently, this way you can see various ways you can solve the same problem and improve on your own coding style)

7. Backup your code (I recommend saving them all in Dropbox, that way it gets backed up online and transfers to any device with Dropbox installed or through the website plus its free to use)

8. If you're working on a code for a long time or stumped, take a break. (most ah-ha moments happen when you're not working on it)

 

As for gaming, I would try something small like browser games. A friend of mine likes making games with ActionScript. He finished his 2nd Tower Defense game not too long ago and now he's trying to sell it. Believe it or not these sites actually buy browser games. If you ever played that SteamBirds game (turn based WW2-era dogfighting) it sold for $25,000.

 

Sigh after writing all of that, I think I need to follow my own advice

Edited August 2, 2010 by Krazyxazn

[El_Capitan]

Learn good habits:

 

1. Try to write down your code before you make a program (sometimes we just forget to do this, sometimes people just wing it, or etc)

2. Write detailed comments for each block of code (this helps you and others read your code easier)

3. Keep several versions of your program if you decide to make big changes (that way you can always go back if you need to)

4. Use good variable names (don't use something that is too vague)

5. Make your code reader friendly (use correct spacing and indenting; most editors have this automated)

6. Listen to the advice of others and ask to read their code of a same program (everyone writes code differently, this way you can see various ways you can solve the same problem and improve on your own coding style)

7. Backup your code (I recommend saving them all in Dropbox, that way it gets backed up online and transfers to any device with Dropbox installed or through the website plus its free to use)

8. If you're working on a code for a long time or stumped, take a break. (most ah-ha moments happen when you're not working on it)

 

As for gaming, I would try something small like browser games. A friend of mine likes making games with ActionScript. He finished his 2nd Tower Defense game not too long ago and now he's trying to sell it. Believe it or not these sites actually buy browser games. If you ever played that SteamBirds game (turn based WW2-era dogfighting) it sold for $25,000.

 

Sigh after writing all of that, I think I need to follow my own advice

Lol, good stuff.

 

Don't get daunted by too much stuff. Start small. There's so many languages out there, don't feel that you need to learn them all. Start with one, and go from there. Instead of doing many different small projects, start with one and keep adding to it. There will be many different solutions to do one thing, and that also helps you to debug your code when things go wrong, and you'll understand why that happens a lot better.

 

Mainly, just learn to create. When you get your first job (most likely as an intern), the more experienced programmers will ingratiate you into checking in your code and all the other good stuff. All they care is that you can code, they'll end up teaching you more stuff than you can learn on your own. Eventually you'll get to the point where it's just second nature.

[CheeseMan42]

The funny thing is that a lot of people think "Hey, I play video games, I want to make video games." Video game developers need to be heavy on computer science, math, and the like. Unless you just want to make some flash based games. Making game engines and artificial intelligence and anything else awesome games have takes a lot of work.

[SenitaL]

Im on a Games Design course, programming/coding was never my thing, got tired of it after a few web sites and projects, so im afraid i cant offer up much advice, but its a tough industry, it's hard work (contrary to what people tend to think) and doesn't pay too well (though your programming skills can be transfered to wider branches of better paying jobs easier then if you were a designer for instance) so you mainly do it for the love. Krazy has given you some golden rules there, also once you've grasped some knowledge don't be afraid to create a small group for a project, it'll look good in your resume because you'll need good team and communication skills, and ofcourse a demo of your previous work always helps, good luck!

Edited September 21, 2010 by SenitaL

[CowKing]

wow, I wish I had a high school like yours. Instead of just spending all there money on a new track and sport equipment. "Oh, we don't have money to fund the Computer Science class" It's sickening they spend all this money on a hobby and not something that can be transferred into a career. Everything i learned about programming I learned by myself. Read some books go to a forum and ask questions it's the only way to learn.

[molotovdaskwerl]

most dev's want you to know C++ and Java primarily (at least those that i've researched)(Python also seems to be a pretty popular language) learn them now so that they'll be easier for you on the way to your Bachelors

also, learning those now will make you capable of working on a mod team, and working on a mod team will give you a portfolio making you more attractive to a dev team

intern for a dev team in college, it'll at the least let you get a foot in the door

[WhenKittensATK]

Google has a free Python class

 

I know the owners of JoinWCS server on CSS use Python to code their own version of WCS mod.