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Offline Binder News

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Beginning programming language
« on: December 20, 2010, 12:04:45 am »
My friend is getting into programming. She wants to make games, and asked a family friend, who suggested using Python. My question is: is that really the best choice? I noticed it has a weird syntax, but good documentation. Any opinions? Any other suggestions of languages?
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Offline nemo

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Re: Beginning programming language
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2010, 12:09:27 am »
Python is usually a pretty good beginning language. Java might be hard to grasp with all the object-oriented crap involved, but if she's willing to spend 2-3 months on just learning OOP, it'll be easy there on out. C/C++ i wouldn't suggest because of pointers and their tendency to not be easily understood. GML i tried and hated, but that's because it was confusing to me. i voted java, but i'd say java or python are your best bets.

edit: actually, if she's a complete beginner i'd get her to program in TI-Basic. and then once she can make pong, snake or another simple game, get her started on a computer language.
« Last Edit: December 20, 2010, 12:12:10 am by nemo »
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Offline Binder News

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Re: Beginning programming language
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2010, 12:13:07 am »
I am very proficient in GML and Java, and have talked to her about some of the OOP stuff before. My main concern with Python is that it would be a hard shift to any other standard programming language.
EDIT: The same goes for TI-Basic, hard transition
« Last Edit: December 20, 2010, 12:13:54 am by Binder News »
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Offline AngelFish

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Re: Beginning programming language
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2010, 12:13:09 am »
Python is definitely the best beginner's language. If she wants to do games, then there's always Pygame. As far as the best language overall, C or ASM would be the best.
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Offline Binder News

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Re: Beginning programming language
« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2010, 12:16:29 am »
I agree with the best lang overall. I still think GML would be better, but I'll take a look at the libs for Python and PyGame. The other thing is that my friend and I were hoping she could help us with our game, but it's all in GML.
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Offline nemo

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Re: Beginning programming language
« Reply #5 on: December 20, 2010, 12:20:34 am »
transitioning from Python probably won't be bad. if you know GML well though, go with that and then transition into a C variant or Java. Or just mess with her and make her learn Haskell or Clean.
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Re: Beginning programming language
« Reply #6 on: December 20, 2010, 12:25:44 am »
Ok. I'll still look at the Python libs, as it might give me another challenge to learn Python (that's what I do when I'm bored or can't sleep)
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Offline jnesselr

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Re: Beginning programming language
« Reply #7 on: December 24, 2010, 03:14:30 pm »
Python is good for a complete beginner.
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Offline Munchor

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Re: Beginning programming language
« Reply #8 on: December 24, 2010, 03:17:58 pm »
Quote from: graphmastur on December 24, 2010, 03:14:30 pm
Python is good for a complete beginner.

The best I must say, it's what I started with:

Code: [Select]
a = "Hello"
print a
b = raw_input()
if b = "World":
    print "Correct Answer"
else:
    print "Wrong Answer"
raw_input()
Really simple code, perfect for scripts :)
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Offline TC01

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Re: Beginning programming language
« Reply #9 on: December 24, 2010, 04:11:16 pm »
Yeah, I'd say Python is good for a complete beginner.

However, that does not mean it's a language only for beginners. I don't see a reason why you'd "need" to transition to another language.

Though, maybe you'd want to learn C, because you'd learn more about programming (it's at a lower level).

Unless you actually needed to know another language for a specific reason (i.e. you're trying to program on a platform only supporting one language, or you're trying to modify something written using another language), you really don't "need" to move to Java or C++.

But that's just the opinion of someone who dislikes Java and C++ and does most of his programming in Python, C, and VB .NET. :P
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Offline Munchor

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Re: Beginning programming language
« Reply #10 on: December 24, 2010, 04:14:09 pm »
Quote from: TC01 on December 24, 2010, 04:11:16 pm
Yeah, I'd say Python is good for a complete beginner.

However, that does not mean it's a language only for beginners. I don't see a reason why you'd "need" to transition to another language.

Though, maybe you'd want to learn C, because you'd learn more about programming (it's at a lower level).

Unless you actually needed to know another language for a specific reason (i.e. you're trying to program on a platform only supporting one language, or you're trying to modify something written using another language), you really don't "need" to move to Java or C++.

But that's just the opinion of someone who dislikes Java and C++ and does most of his programming in Python, C, and VB .NET. :P

I would say that starting with Python is great, but movind to another language is very important. C and Java are the most popular.
Then there's .NET (C# and VB) you should also try.

The first non-Python language I learnt was Java, I hated it. I thought it was too hard. So, go from Python to C (something easier) and only then to .NET and/or Java :D
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