Choosing a Programming Language

[Dave]

Visual Basic is terrible and you should never use it for anything ever.  Unless you're trying to get a job in the US or something (sad but true).

well, its obviously simple, im basicaly fluent in it, ive been able to make my own platformer engine, shootng engine and a simple physics engine
( all 2d ofcourse) and ive been told knowing how it works will help me learn pascal and C when i get to that level.

reguardless, its really easy to learn.

[chronomaster]

I definitely wouldn't cop out on it if you can do better, though.

[ZargonX]

[quote author=ainmosni link=topic=2586.msg73689#msg73689 date=1238405505]
Furthermore, imho python is a better language to start in than java or pascal these days but I'm quite biased against java.

The advantage of Pascal is that it is highly structured. It heavily enforces proper programming practices.
It was designed as a teaching language, aimed at students.  In the long run, it's mostly useless where more powerful languages exist.

I only wish more schools started with Pascal instead of Java or VB; free-form languages create shitty programmers.
[/quote]

I actually did study Pascal way back in high school, but it's been many years so only the vaguest of memories remains...

[ainmosni]

I'm parroting here.

Pick up C++ and then Python/Lua for support, or do it the other way around if you're fresh out. If you really starting barebones, pick up Visual Basic first. It's not going to get you terribly far but I've seen some decent games made from it (I think the first Zombie Smashers X was coded in VB6).

[quote author=Chronomaster link=topic=2586.msg73735#msg73735 date=1238433446]
I'm parroting here.

Pick up C++ and then Python/Lua for support, or do it the other way around if you're fresh out. If you really starting barebones, pick up Visual Basic first. It's not going to get you terribly far but I've seen some decent games made from it (I think the first Zombie Smashers X was coded in VB6).

visual basic is the only language i know for gaming, but im not that into programming
although im fairly sure VB is a good place to start.
[/quote]

I'm not a gaming coder but there is a saying amongst coders that every coder that everyone who learnt to program with  VB is beyond hope. Sure, this is a bit exaggerated but VB does teach you bad programming habits that will take you years to unlearn. The same actually goes for stuff like PHP which make it "easier" for a non-coder to pick up and do something simple but will be a burden when you're going towards more complex things.

[chronomaster]

[quote author=Chronomaster link=topic=2586.msg73735#msg73735 date=1238433446]
I'm parroting here.

Pick up C++ and then Python/Lua for support, or do it the other way around if you're fresh out. If you really starting barebones, pick up Visual Basic first. It's not going to get you terribly far but I've seen some decent games made from it (I think the first Zombie Smashers X was coded in VB6).

[quote author=Chronomaster link=topic=2586.msg73735#msg73735 date=1238433446]
I'm parroting here.

Pick up C++ and then Python/Lua for support, or do it the other way around if you're fresh out. If you really starting barebones, pick up Visual Basic first. It's not going to get you terribly far but I've seen some decent games made from it (I think the first Zombie Smashers X was coded in VB6).

visual basic is the only language i know for gaming, but im not that into programming
although im fairly sure VB is a good place to start.
[/quote]

I'm not a gaming coder but there is a saying amongst coders that every coder that everyone who learnt to program with  VB is beyond hope. Sure, this is a bit exaggerated but VB does teach you bad programming habits that will take you years to unlearn. The same actually goes for stuff like PHP which make it "easier" for a non-coder to pick up and do something simple but will be a burden when you're going towards more complex things.
[/quote]

Did you just quote me twice?

That's bad form there, ain. :V

[at0m]

Real men program in assembly.