Um...dont be mad...ULTRA NOOB ALERT!

The_Mayor · Post by **The_Mayor** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:02 am

Ok, So Im wanting to learn to make games...I mean why else would I be here...anyways, what else will I need to make a simple 3D game? I know I will need Irrlicht, is Irrlicht a compiler or just an Engine? If its not a compiler, what compilers work with Irrlicht? Will MingW compiler work? I will use Dev-C++ as the ProgLang with the compiler MingW, with the Irrlicht engine...would those "components" work together to make a good looking game?

Sorry, If my N00bness has bothered you...just wanting to learn some new stuff...

Signed: The_Mayor

The_Mayor · Post by **The_Mayor** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:05 am

(I couldnt find the EDIT button...)
Also, is Delphi a compiler? Is it a good compiler if it is? What is it if it isnt a compiler? And what is GCC 3.4.2 and what is GBD 5.2.1? Man confusing stuff...

Thanks

The_Mayor · Post by **The_Mayor** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:21 am

Ok, I really need help I have confused myself...Dev-C++ is a compiler right? Ok, Since Dev-C++ is a compiler I use C/C++ as my Language, and Irrlicht as my engine, but Irrlicht doesnt render sound or physics, right? So what do I do about sound and physics? Please help...I am really stupid and need help...lol...

MikeR · Post by **MikeR** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:22 am

Irrlicht is a graphics engine.
Dev-CPP is a compiler that's fine for use with Irrlicht. (its what I use)
If you are going to make simple games, Irrlicht alone is almost fine. (no sound)
If you are going to make a big game, You will want to add physics, sound, and a network api to it to make it a game engine.
Also, you will need to know C++

HopeDagger · Post by **HopeDagger** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:24 am

The_Mayor wrote:Dev-C++ is a compiler right? Ok, Since Dev-C++ is a compiler I use C/C++ as my Language, and Irrlicht as my engine, but Irrlicht doesnt render sound or physics, right? So what do I do about sound and physics?

I recommend using sound and/or physics libraries. For sound, FMOD, Audiere, or OpenAL are common choices. For physics, Tokamak, ODE, or Newton are popular. You can Google any of these to find their websites + more info.

jeffdran · Post by **jeffdran** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:27 am

haha, lol, Ummm, how long have you been programming for? Do you have any experience at all with C++, Java, or PHP? If not, you may want to start learning one of them. If I were you I would start off with Java, because if you learn PHP, you pretty much have to learn 3 other languages to make good sites. PHP is good to understand how programming works, such as variables, editing .txt files and .htm files, etc... C/C++ is pretty complicated, and takes a long time to learn if you are just starting on it. The first programs you should ever make are text based. Learn how to do mathematic functions, except input, and display output. Learn Arrays, pointers, etc... These are core to game design. Java is good for starting out, because you can go straight into creating GUI's with a nice little API for noobs called BreezyGUI. BreezyGUI is a package that you import into all your source files that use the methods of it. You can create pretty nice looking GUI's, but one drawback. It does not support images, only buttons, labels, scrollbars, textareas, integerfields, textfields, etc... I've made a few programs you can take a look at on my server if you would like that were created with BreezyGUI. I made these in my senior year in advanced computer programming. We had to use the package, so I couldn't make anything decked out, and these were the assignments. I of course still overdid it. I'll PM you the links if you want them. Be prepared, if you embark on your programming quest, be ready to type thousands and thousands of lines of code, solve complex problems, and notice programming patterns when you do solve problems. You will notice as you get good, problems are oftenly solved the same way other problems were. Good luck on your learning, and I would also like to announce here:

I AM STARTING A WEB SITE THAT IS GOING TO BE A COMPUTER PROGRAMMING LEARNING AREA FOR ALL!!! This means no0bs, moderates, advanced, and professionals will all benefit from it. I will have tutorials on console apps, linux apps, win32 apps, game engines such as Irrlicht and Torque, along with many tutorials that describe operators, variables, arrays, pointers, GUI's, etc. This will all be for free, but please donate for the long hours I will be needing coffee, drinks, etc while in creation of the tutorials. I will update with the site URI soon, so please be patient.

Jeff Dran

The_Mayor · Post by **The_Mayor** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:27 am

Oh, thank you for replying. I was steeply falling into a downward spiral...lol... Ok, not to be a Gyuuuush(dont ask), what do you mean by "sound libraries"? Thanks for helping me.

And at the top of the Begginers thingy the FAQ...it says that I need Microsoft Visual C++ or such? I dont have it...do I need

Java? I have heard and played games on it, but if I learn Java wont I have to learn C++ anyways?

I would think it would be better to just learn C++, and afterwards go straight to Dev-C++? I dont know I am really confused...before I DL anything tell me what I need to do and learn...please...thanks

And if I learn C++ where would I type the code? Would I have to DL a compiler to learn?

jeffdran · Post by **jeffdran** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:37 am

Ok, you seem confused... I'm going to write out a tutorial soon, just hold tight. You don't need to immediately start on programming. Learn a bit about the different languages, what they can do, and also try to come up with a firm grip on computer hardware. If you are to program good stuff later, you should always know how the computer deals with it. Memory allocation, CPU speed, and FSB are all things to take into consideration. One of the main things in programming, is trying to get it to be cross-platform compliant, that way your software(games) can be played to a larger crowd extent. This is very tricky. You will learn all of this as you go. I suggest you buy some programming textbooks somewhere near you, or download some online. There are tons of resources for you to go to. One thing though that many programmers have a nack for is motivation. Keep consistant at it, even when it is hard. You will eventually understand it. There are tons of forums, besides this one that are very, VERY bustling with professional programmers that are willing to help you. Just google it. By the way, creating software for free, freeware is the way to go. Even if you don't sell it, you still make a lot of money by donations, (that is, IF your software is good, and people want to see more great things from you, or your team. Before I go, I want to clear something up with you...

C/C++ - C is not object-oriented, but C++ is. These can both be used, and are oftenly together. C++ is just a little evolved. C++ is used for many of the commercial programs you see in the stores, but keep in mind, C++ isn't completely the "perfect" programming language. It is quite hard to learn if it is your first programming language, and yes, once you master Java, you will have to learn C++, but don't worry it isn't too hard to understand after you have learned java. Actually it is very easy. You will have many similarites such as a lot of the same syntax. The loops are all the same and if statements are also. In fact, there aren't many differences in my opinion. One of the main things though is Java is ran on a JVM, or Java Virtual Machine. This means that the code you compile is turned into byte code that is understood by the JVM. It is interpreted really, unlike a C/C++ compile that is just turned into 1's and 0's windows users refer to as .exe's. Another huge difference is that the inclusion of files for reference. In C++ you have to designate every header file you will use. In Java, these somewhat header files are put into a quite convenient package. So all you have to do is say import java.awt.*; for example, or another - import BreezyGUI.*; But in C++, it is another story. In C/C++ it looks like this...

#include <iostream>
#include <iomanip>

Well, you will learn more in your textbooks if you buy/download them. I will hopefully have that site out within a month or two, so then you will be able to learn from me. Good Luck.

Jeff Dran

The_Mayor · Post by **The_Mayor** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:08 am

Thank you so much for getting me up to speed and pointing me in a good direction...and my friends and I have been talking over the last few hours and have beent trying to help me learn a little bit of C++, and you are right it is pretty complicated...well they taught me a little bit...and they said I know enough to do a simple program...but Im stuck...I would rather not discuss it on this forum, because of risk of it being locked or moved because its not related to Irr. So do you have another way that I can get ahold of you? I dont know but thanks anyways for the help...

Another thing about Java...what would I need to DL to compile the language? I googled it but came up empty(Suprising!). Sorry, I know your probably busy with stuff...

FlyHigh · Post by **FlyHigh** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 8:41 am

I don't think this thread will be locked if you asked for help, especially if you put all related questions in this thread.

Anybody who doesn't want to help a newbie shouldn't have clicked the topic anyway...

To programming in Java you'll need the Java Standard edition SDK or more commonly known as the J2SE SDK try here the latest version is 1.5 although sun sometimes refers to it as version 5.

My advice would be to stick the course with C++ it looks hard to begin with but is less restricting than java especially if you don't understand OOP (object orientated programming). Also moving from Java to C++ is harder than C++ to java, as java does lots of things behind the scenes.

(This is strictly my advice though, everybody learns differently I would see for yourself what you prefer)

If you don't feel you can write a program, write a few functions instead. Can you write a function that reverses a string or sorts numbers in order or calculates the factorial of a number? etc.

MikeR · Post by **MikeR** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:50 am

http://www.steveheller.com

Myth · Post by **Myth** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:32 pm

Once you can code a bit I advice you looking at http://nehe.gamedev.net
Just look at this: http://nehe.gamedev.net/lesson.asp?index=01
I printed the complete few hundred pages tutorial out and some months later I wass able to make a simple 3d engine with it that casted shadwows, had collision detection etc.
It needs some time eh?

- Myth

The_Mayor · Post by **The_Mayor** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:41 pm

Ok, well then Ill ask...

Ok, so my friends and I were talking, and they were trying to teach me a little about C++...well after a few hours they said, "Well now you should be able to do a simple program". Im like ok? They told me to do a simple video store rental system that calculates the gross revenue from rentals (they said they learned this one first, that they got off the internet???), any way, they said ask it whether a certain video was rented at $2.00 (input as 2) a day or $3.00 (input as 3) a day and then asks for how many days it was rented out for...or something like that...

Heres the code:

Code: Select all

int main()
{
  int total_dollars = 0;
  int total_days_at_3_dollars = 0;
  int total_days_at_2_dollars = 0;
  int transaction_code = 0;
  int days_for_one_video = 0;
  do
  {
    if(transaction_code==2)
      total_days_at_2_dollars+=days_for_one_video;
    if(transaction_code==3)
      total_days_at_3_dollars+=days_for_one_video;
    cout<<"Please enter a transaction code and number of days a video was rented: ";
    cin>>transaction_code>>days_for_one_video;
  }while(transaction_code!=0)
} [\code]

Whats wrond with that...I have Dev-C++ and it says something about 'cout'...like 'cout' undeclared (first use this function)...

I dont know im confused, and my friends havent been home all day so please help...

Ronin · Post by **Ronin** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 8:14 pm

You have to include the header file that contains cout.

Put this over your main function in your source code:

Code: Select all

#include <iostream>

The_Mayor · Post by **The_Mayor** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 8:19 pm

Ok I didnt know if I had to put that or not...I dont know why I didnt put it down...thanks!

EDIT: Thanks I just tried it and it worked, I just had to do some 'debugging' of sorts...like I had to put...

Code: Select all

include <iostream>//Had to put 'include <iostream>','using namespace std;'
//and to put a ';' on the end of '}while(transaction_code! =0);'.
using namespace std;
int main()
{
int total_dollars = 0; 
  int total_days_at_3_dollars = 0; 
  int total_days_at_2_dollars = 0; 
  int transaction_code = 0; 
  int days_for_one_video = 0; 
  do 
  { 
    if(transaction_code==2) 
      total_days_at_2_dollars+=days_for_one_video; 
    if(transaction_code==3) 
      total_days_at_3_dollars+=days_for_one_video; 
    cout<<"Please enter a transaction code and number of days a video was rented: "; 
    cin>>transaction_code>>days_for_one_video; 
  }while(transaction_code!=0);
}

Thanks for your help!