Question Regarding Scripting Languages
polycounter lvl 6
My brother is going to take an intensive 3 month program learning java (11hrs a day, 6 days a week).
My question is: should he learn C#, Python, or C++ first? (that is after he learns java) Thank you.
My question is: should he learn C#, Python, or C++ first? (that is after he learns java) Thank you.
Replies
It's got the LibGDX and the JMonkeyEngine toolkits for game development, it's pretty complete.
A more specific answer would require more specific information from you.
I think it should also be important to make sure he obtains a lot of knowledge about programming in general from the program he is entering. There are a lot of "intensive" programming camps out there, but some of them are really terrible. A proper understanding of programming concepts such as data structures is important no matter what language you write code in.
Java helped me put a first foot through the door, but C++ dragged me in the rest of the way.
So C++ should be learn before C# or python?
If making an independent game company is your combined dream, then I would suggest moving towards C++. C++ is the most complicated language of the three and considering it is a lower level language, it will probably feel pretty different compared to what your brother is used to. However, if he does learn it, then picking up C# or Python will be very easy and if he plans on being a game programmer, then he will probably have to deal with C++ at some point in his career.
I completely agree with this post.
Once you get the core principles language is just a minor thing really. I'd also highly recommend learning C++ afterwards. It's quite different to Java but definitely teaches you some good/better practices.
Most 3D applications have Python scripting these days, and most of them also have C++ SDKs too. I've been learning both of those side by side and it really depends on the task for which one I turn to - it's been very useful to know both of them.
For games, UE4 will want C++ and Unity will want C# (which, if you know C++, isn't too big a leap).
That said, if you're meaning which one should he learn as a pre-requisite for taking the course, I wouldn't worry about having to know any of those. The core logic doesn't really change across languages, only the syntax it's dressed in and the ways with which you can nicely or efficiently wrap complexities up.
That said... if he's just after learning another language anyway before starting...
If he's got a good while before the course, check out some C++ (or C#, which is a bit easier and friendlier but if you're already going in at the deeper end, I'd recommend going for C++).
If he just wants a handle on programming structure and logic, or if there isn't long before the course starts, definitely go with Python. It's much more flexible for playing in and it's syntax is slightly easier to pick up. Also, being a loosely typed language cuts out a lot of dicking about you'd have to do in C++.
Second, 99.9999% of time all C++ stuff will be a lot lower level than C#/Python/whatever.
For a beginner, stay away from it. Brush up your skills in Unity C#, Unreal Blueprints, after that try to write C++ plugin for you graphic application (Houdini, Maya or whatever you use) to see how good you can transfer knowledge you gained from scripting. After that if you will feel that Blueprints are not enough, go for C++ in Unreal.
Any higher level language will be easier to grasp for a beginner.
Since you mentioned Unity, C# will be the most beneficial to learn now. Unity integrates with a complete IDE for it, MonoDevelop.
High-level languages are good cause they let you achieve things quicker and get into the algorithmic thinking mindset. But one really needs to go C/C++ to understand more about the fundamentals of what's going on below. I'd suggest starting with C# actually these days, gives you high-level, and you get used to visual studio already, and it seems more widespread in our part of the industry.
Both offer really good opportunities.
I would strongly suggest Python and C#.
As for understanding the algorithms and making your mindset to understand logic would come later on when you start coding at high level. Many would disagree with this post and claim that C++ is the way to go because it's traditional way of doing things and it helps you have a firm grip on the foundations, but you have to understand one thing, if you are a programmer you will soon realize that many programming languages are almost alike and some how your mindset will become to understand the logic there fore building your paradigm skill set would become a little easier.