choosing a language Thread

Hey people,

After several years, I've decided I want to get back into programming. Eversince I was a young teen, I've been wanting to program, but things had been chaotic and I was unable to focus on it for a long time. Now, years later, I have become more calm and relaxed, and I think I'm ready to start learning a language. In the past during my time in college I did have PHP and VB classes, so I am somewhat familiar with programming, though I've forgotten most of it. Right now I'm watching a video series on the absolute basics of programming to re-learn the meanings and definitions of certain things (explanation of basic things like variables), but when I'm done watching these, I want to get started and dive into learning a programming language... But I'm running into a program; I can't decide what language I should use.

I know from myself that I'm easily distracted and easily demotivated, so a hard and complex language like C++ would be out of my range for now. Personally, I've been looking into Java and C#, and eventhough they are quite similar, they have some important differences too. What I'd eventually like to be able to do, aside from programming simple applications, is to create a 2D online RPG.

My question to you guys is, what language would be 'best' for such a project, and what language is easier/faster to learn? Perhaps there's even a different language you could recommend me, though I'd like one that actually contributes to my resumé as well.

You won't use only one language if you're a real programmer, but I recommend starting with Python. It has super simple syntax but on the other hand is extremely powerful. The only downside is that few engines support it.

Whatever it is you choose however, you must start simple and once you master that language, jump right into another. Work your way up the language tree and THEN get to C++/C#. So many people dive right into the C series and that's their problem. They would have an easier time if they use simpler languages as stepping stones.

If you want my personal path I went down. My first language was HTML, as I was curious about websites in the past, and then moved to Javascript. Then I took a look at C++ and quit programming for a while, BECAUSE it didn't make sense. Then I came back with Python and it all clicked. Suddenly I jumped into engine scripting starting with GML (Game Maker Language). And there I am so far. I've been taking second looks at C++ and it is SO much easier now that I have experience using other languages.

However, if you want to make a 2D RPG, most OO languages supported by an engine (Python,Ruby,C++,C#,Java) would do you well, however ONLINE is another question completely. That's getting into networking and whatnot and I really do NOT recommend jumping into that. Start small and I recommend Python as a starting point.

Also, on the topic of tutorials, try TheNewBoston.com or youtube.com/TheNewBoston as he has done extensive tutorials on practically all languages out there.

But in the end, what you use first is up to you, this is just the recommendation of a 4 year programmer who is still learning as well.

Good Luck and Tschüß!

Yea start with python its great for beginners and its very simple and awesome

Thanks for the replies guys,

I did look into Python, as well as Ruby, and both languages seem appealing to me, so I'm trying to make up my mind on those languages! I do agree that jumping right into the most complex/difficult/steap language would be a bad idea, so I'll focus on either of these languages I just mentioned for now! A 2D RPG, online or offline, sounds like a lot of fun for now, so yeah! Thanks again!

If you end up using Ruby, it's the engine used by the RPG Maker series. which will allow you to script and use that engine to the best of it's capability. Probably your best choice for making an RPG as long as you meant JRPG.

I've actually decided to refresh my knowledge of PHP first, since I could use this well for a project at work. I hope this will also give me a solid grounding in programming so that I'll be able to move onto another language when I feel I've gained enough knowledge within PHP.

Obviously for 3D games C++ Is the best. However that can be very advanced, so i don't recommend starting out with that.
If you really want to make a 3D game first, I recommend Java and Jmonkeyengine. Its the most optimized and best 3D engine out there for java.

I personally recommend C# and XNA. Its easy, and quite powerful. Java and Slick though would be my #1 choice for 2d games of any sort.

C# and XNA are the way to go for beginners. Managed .net languages in general are great, and C# (being a strongly typed language) is fantastic. It's easier to go from strongly typed to loosely typed. Unity3D also uses C# as a scripting language, and the FlatRedBall engine uses it as well. It's a great place to start.

I've found that Lua is really easy to pick up. I never tried Python, though.

Python can be very useful Use it

Edited by: Delta_17

I would reccomend C++, people make it out to be harder than it really is. Installing MinGW (or gcc for *nix users) and making a few text programs is a great starting point.

I can recommend Java, it also has the advantage of being cross platform. Python is a good beginner language too, although the biggest thing in python is to keep your tabs and spacing consistent since the interpreter cares about that.

SoBiohazardous wrote: Obviously for 3D games C++ Is the best. However that can be very advanced, so i don't recommend starting out with that.
If you really want to make a 3D game first, I recommend Java and Jmonkeyengine. Its the most optimized and best 3D engine out there for java.

I personally recommend C# and XNA. Its easy, and quite powerful. Java and Slick though would be my #1 choice for 2d games of any sort.

JME3+Java is a great combination, that engine is pretty powerful and has come a long way.

Edited by: masternerdguy

I can pledge that java is very good. I believe that it is good because it is not as complex as C/C++ but still cross platform and just as powerful. Don't let people tell you that java is bad for games!

Lua and Love2D are awesome.

Prolog or Haskell... lol no really (we'll actually with no programming experience these languages can actually be a breeze), but for reals, always remember that the programming language you choose is strongly dependent on the goal you're trying to reach. So my advice is set a goal and work towards it, forget the programming language, just produce a product. It'll help you learn best and will raise your spirits since you'll actually see your project come alive. Another important thing I'd like to mention, and I can't stress this enough is learn only what you need. A lot of books fill you with so much information it's hard to keep track of everything (again why I say work towards a goal, it'll keep you in track of what you really want to do which is program). Hope this helped man, and remember most of us where in your shoes not too long ago

Gabriel Higareda
Producer @ Prototype Studios

Prototypestudios wrote: Prolog or Haskell... lol no really (we'll actually with no programming experience these languages can actually be a breeze), but for reals, always remember that the programming language you choose is strongly dependent on the goal you're trying to reach. So my advice is set a goal and work towards it, forget the programming language, just produce a product. It'll help you learn best and will raise your spirits since you'll actually see your project come alive. Another important thing I'd like to mention, and I can't stress this enough is learn only what you need. A lot of books fill you with so much information it's hard to keep track of everything (again why I say work towards a goal, it'll keep you in track of what you really want to do which is program). Hope this helped man, and remember most of us where in your shoes not too long ago

Gabriel Higareda
Producer @ Prototype Studios

Well put. Most modern programming or scripting languages can handle game development so don't be afraid to try one that someone may have said isn't good for such a thing.

RedPirate wrote:

Prototypestudios wrote: Prolog or Haskell... lol no really (we'll actually with no programming experience these languages can actually be a breeze), but for reals, always remember that the programming language you choose is strongly dependent on the goal you're trying to reach. So my advice is set a goal and work towards it, forget the programming language, just produce a product. It'll help you learn best and will raise your spirits since you'll actually see your project come alive. Another important thing I'd like to mention, and I can't stress this enough is learn only what you need. A lot of books fill you with so much information it's hard to keep track of everything (again why I say work towards a goal, it'll keep you in track of what you really want to do which is program). Hope this helped man, and remember most of us where in your shoes not too long ago

Gabriel Higareda
Producer @ Prototype Studios

Well put. Most modern programming or scripting languages can handle game development so don't be afraid to try one that someone may have said isn't good for such a thing.

Thanks, this was actually my biggest problem when I first began game development. I thought "why not c++", and as a novice programmer this was probablly my biggest set back from actual game development.

If you are still interested in learning Python, here is a great website for that:
Codecademy.com

Then you might as well check this site:
Pygame.org

Plain old C: It's a very small language, and it's very capable. Read K&R, it's short and sweet.

airuike wrote: Plain old C: It's a very small language, and it's very capable. Read K&R, it's short and sweet.

You may as well learn C++ if you want to learn C

Noah.Klabo wrote: I would reccomend C++, people make it out to be harder than it really is. Installing MinGW (or gcc for *nix users) and making a few text programs is a great starting point.

Well to be fair the C++ lingo is really, really bad.

It's my favourite language though.

whatever language you choose, be prepared to use it for a very long time. Starting with a new and maybe more difficult language from scratch might be quite a drag if you already know a language. That's why people are becoming religious about their language of choice. Thus, your choice of language should be based on what you want to achieve.getting into the industry and making games for a living? c++ is the best choice (there are exceptions, but that's the one you probably won't be able to avoid)learning programming to create indie games? java, c#, python, swift is good for rapid developmentcreating some games in your spare time for the sake of fun? get some rpg maker, game maker, dark basic, construct, ... it serves the purpose and has communities with the same interest as you have.
oh well, who dug that 1y old post out