Running Around In Circles

tooltiperror

tooltiperror

Super Moderator
Reaction score
231
Hello there, programming forum.

I feel like, for the past three years, I've been running around in circles. I started learning to program because I wanted to make games in the end, but I just went from place to place. I dabbled in making algorithms, I dabbled in array sorting and data structures, and I spent time in studying all different languages. But I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere.

I guess I just need some guidance.
  1. For OS/X, what would be a good C++ 2D graphics library? Making something like Pong.
  2. What languages will it be actually beneficial to know? I plan on trying to master C++ for general development, Python for scripts and quick jobs (not including web development)
  3. Good OS X IDE? I've tried CodeBlocks, it crashes constantly on OS/X, and I'm sort of tired of using vim in terminal and gcc to compile.

Thanks, all. Even if you can't answer my questions, just some general pointers in programming would be helpful.
 
L

Lyerae

I keep popping up on this site from time to time.
Reaction score
105
1. I'm not sure if it's a 2D context, but everything I've read about cross-platform game development points to OpenGL.
2. Lua definitely can't hurt, and a working knowledge of XML and / or JSON is definitely useful.
3. Could try looking into Xcode, or makefiles.
 
s3rius

s3rius

Linux is only free if your time is worthless.
Reaction score
130
Beneficial languages:
For game programming? C++ is the best you can go for. And I mean .. it's one of the harder imperative languages. If you get it straight you'll have an easy time learning everything else, if it is required of you.

A 2D library:
Two of the most popular choices are SDL and SFML.
I've tried both and I prefer SFML.
It's very convenient and more elegant to use than SDL.
Both are multi-platform.

Oh, and if you want some reading on professional game programming then I highly recommend "Game Coding Complete" by Mike McShaffry.
It's the most eye-opening book on the topic I have ever read. And you only need a solid understanding of C++ for it.
Way better than any tutorials that can't be applied on anything larger than a tiny project.

PS:
Algorithms and Data Structures are fun and useful, but tbh - I haven't had a case where the C++STL didn't solve my problems ;O
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • The Helper The Helper:
    I am great and it is fantastic to see you my friend!
     +1
  • The Helper The Helper:
    Here is a great appetizer recipe Texas style! https://www.thehelper.net/threads/recipe-chicken-stuffed-poblano-peppers.194086/
  • The Helper The Helper:
    If you are new to the site please check out the Recipe and Food Forum https://www.thehelper.net/forums/recipes-and-food.220/
  • Monovertex Monovertex:
    How come you're so into recipes lately? Never saw this much interest in this topic in the old days of TH.net
  • Monovertex Monovertex:
    Hmm, how do I change my signature?
  • tom_mai78101 tom_mai78101:
    Signatures can be edit in your account profile. As for the old stuffs, I'm thinking it's because Blizzard is now under Microsoft, and because of Microsoft Xbox going the way it is, it's dreadful.
  • The Helper The Helper:
    I am not big on the recipes I am just promoting them - I use the site as a practice place promoting stuff
     +2
  • Monovertex Monovertex:
    @tom_mai78101 I must be blind. If I go on my profile I don't see any area to edit the signature; If I go to account details (settings) I don't see any signature area either.
  • The Helper The Helper:
    You can get there if you click the bell icon (alerts) and choose preferences from the bottom, signature will be in the menu on the left there https://www.thehelper.net/account/preferences
  • The Helper The Helper:
    I think I need to split the Sci/Tech news forum into 2 one for Science and one for Tech but I am hating all the moving of posts I would have to do
  • The Helper The Helper:
    New dessert for Summer - https://www.thehelper.net/threads/recipe-lemon-blueberry-layer-cheesecake.194113/
  • The Helper The Helper:
    What is up Old Mountain Shadow?
  • The Helper The Helper:
    Happy Thursday!
     +1
  • Varine Varine:
    Crazy how much 3d printing has come in the last few years. Sad that it's not as easily modifiable though
  • Varine Varine:
    I bought an Ender 3 during the pandemic and tinkered with it all the time. Just bought a Sovol, not as easy. I'm trying to make it use a different nozzle because I have a fuck ton of Volcanos, and they use what is basically a modified volcano that is just a smidge longer, and almost every part on this thing needs to be redone to make it work
  • Varine Varine:
    Luckily I have a 3d printer for that, I guess. But it's ridiculous. The regular volcanos are 21mm, these Sovol versions are about 23.5mm
  • Varine Varine:
    So, 2.5mm longer. But the thing that measures the bed is about 1.5mm above the nozzle, so if I swap it with a volcano then I'm 1mm behind it. So cool, new bracket to swap that, but THEN the fan shroud to direct air at the part is ALSO going to be .5mm to low, and so I need to redo that, but by doing that it is a little bit off where it should be blowing and it's throwing it at the heating block instead of the part, and fuck man
  • Varine Varine:
    I didn't realize they designed this entire thing to NOT be modded. I would have just got a fucking Bambu if I knew that, the whole point was I could fuck with this. And no one else makes shit for Sovol so I have to go through them, and they have... interesting pricing models. So I have a new extruder altogether that I'm taking apart and going to just design a whole new one to use my nozzles. Dumb design.
  • Varine Varine:
    Can't just buy a new heatblock, you need to get a whole hotend - so block, heater cartridge, thermistor, heatbreak, and nozzle. And they put this fucking paste in there so I can't take the thermistor or cartridge out with any ease, that's 30 dollars. Or you can get the whole extrudor with the direct driver AND that heatblock for like 50, but you still can't get any of it to come apart
  • Varine Varine:
    Partsbuilt has individual parts I found but they're expensive. I think I can get bits swapped around and make this work with generic shit though
  • Ghan Ghan:
    Heard Houston got hit pretty bad by storms last night. Hope all is well with TH.
  • The Helper The Helper:
    Power back on finally - all is good here no damage
     +2
  • V-SNES V-SNES:
    Happy Friday!
     +1
  • The Helper The Helper:
    New recipe is another summer dessert Berry and Peach Cheesecake - https://www.thehelper.net/threads/recipe-berry-and-peach-cheesecake.194169/
  • The Helper The Helper:
    New recipe is Cheeseburger Pie! https://www.thehelper.net/threads/recipe-cheeseburger-pie.194191/

      The Helper Discord

      Members online

      No members online now.
      Online now:
      250 (members: 2, guests: 248)

      Share this page

      Affiliates

      Hive Workshop NUON Dome World Editor Tutorials

      Network Sponsors

      Apex Steel Pipe - Buys and sells Steel Pipe.
      Top