Learning Coding
 

Hello, I'm trying to learn how to code, but I don't know where to start. I'm basically in a mess right now. Idk, I heard someone said it's good to start with HTML first, so I've been doing some research and studying the scripts and commands for HTML. But what I want to do is scripting to make a program, a game, a game engine, etc. Where should I start? I hope I'm doing the right things to get start by studying HTML. My HS have a Java class so I'm planning on taking it next year. Idk, I've gotten suggestion to learn Python too, but I'm really not sure. Can someone tell me what I should learn first, and the source to learn it?

(I'm sure I've made a thread like this before but idk)

Check Facebook.

I've been wondering the same thing. I have a Rasperry Pi, so it's probably best for me to start with Python. And if you have Excel, someone told me it's good to start with Visual Basic, because it's so easy.

Lucky for you, there's a thread in the technology section about this:

http://www.graalians.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27294

HTML is a good place to start, very basic

If anyone else is interested, I have an online e-learning course provided by my school that teaches Grade 11 University-bound Computer Science that focuses on Java.

It is split into 3 units each providing pages of content describing the different functions Java supports, how to use them and examples of them being used. It then gives you a program to make where you'll need to use what you just learned allowing you to practice with it. Each unit consists of multiple activities and programs that you'll need to work on allowing you to get a very good understanding of Java.

I would be more than happy to compile all of the course work and content into an online document for you guys to use as well as the IDE to write the programs in, the content always shows what the finished program should look like so you'll be able to tell if you are on the right track or not.

Anyone who is going to be starting with HTML, it would also be beneficial to learn CSS (Cascade Styling Sheet) which will make your HTML look pretty and not just random words/graphics on a page.

There's also codecademy which introduces the basic concepts of coding. It's a free to use website (you have to sign up) and there's also a free IOS app. Hope this helps :)

Finally someone brought it up. :)

In short, HTML and its partner CSS are used for Web Development.
However, they aren't programming languages just to be clear here.

This doesn't mean that learning HTML and CSS isn't beneficial.
To give you an example, my game was built using both (along with JavaScript). (If you want to see how that looks like so far, you can check it out here: http://www.graalians.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27245). That should give you an idea of the kind of things you can build with web languages,
but keep in mind that you're going to need another language like JavaScript, PHP or Ruby (even a combination of them) to actually make a game.

Getting back on topic here as mentioned above, Codeacademy is probably the best place to start if you want to go the web way, you can also buy books but Codeacademy provides a kind of hands on learning environment, so it's kind of like the learn-while-you-code rather then learn-first-then-code approach.
You can learn HTML & CSS, JavaScript, JQuery (which is just a JavaScript library), Python, PHP, Ruby, and not to mention that they've got a whole section on APIs (which I use for my game too) and projects that you can work on to strengthen your coding abilities.

That being said, and this is an important point to consider, most people wouldn't advise client side scripting (using web languages) to build your game, as there are server side languages such as Java, C++, C# that allow you to build the same games more efficiently and that will probably take you less time to code. I'm not an expert when it comes to server side languages, but if you don't care much about the web and you just want to make games, then that's probably the way to go. I'm sure many people here on Graalians can help guide you in that direction if that's the choice you make. Also if you're looking to build 3D games someday, forget about HTML and CSS!

Also, I'm learning Java at my HS at the moment, it's not to be confused with JavaScript. They are two totally different languages and the main difference is that one is client side (JavaScript) and the other is server side (Java). I think the name similarity was just a marketing ploy used back then to get people to start using the new language. Minecraft is an example of a game built with Java just in case you didn't know, and I believe that the Graal Client now runs on C++ (+Torque for cross platform compatibility).

HTML and CSS are for websites, I have an app that teaches you it but it's icky. If you wanna make a website, use CSS and HTML and that stuff. I heard Python was a good way to go if you wanna make a website that does stuff like youtube....

Since I'm a beginner, I probably don't realize it, but are most coding languages the same? Like same commands and such? How long does it normally take to learn a coding language? (I don't care if it takes me a year, I just want to know how to code) Is Python and C++ similar or something? Because I learned from someone that Python and C++ both can create apps on mobile platforms. And what kind of programs can I make with Java/JavaScript? On a game, for the graphics and such, do I have to make everything? Like let's use Minecraft as an example. Do I have to draw the each blocks and script it inside the game or something? If I want to make a 3D games, do I have to make 3D models of the object I want to put in the game or I can just script it?

And I tried Codeacademy@Bryan. It was very helpful.

Java, especially if you can attend classes for it.

I am definitely learning Java since I have the advantage of taking the class, but what do I need to learn before that? Based on what I'm trying to create, (game possibly like MC, Gmod, LoL) what do I need to learn in order to create games like those?

Nothing. Most classes(in highschool) will start you at the absolute bare minimum and assume you have never learned any programming before.

Well yes, in theory programming languages are alike. You've got things like variables, functions, loops, conditions... that all programming languages have. However the syntax is what most visibly differentiates the languages (as well as their ability to store data, process information and etc...). That is why if you start one programming language it is generally easier to pick up the next although some people argue that the big changes in syntax might confuse you (but I personally don't agree with that).

Depends on the language you are learning and how passionate you are. And I also thinking your sources matter too. Nobody can really say for sure.

I'm not an expert on this so don't quote me here, but Python and C++ aren't really your best options when it comes to creating apps on mobile platforms.

For Android, learn Java.
For iOS, learn Objective-C.
For both use web languages (python might be included here).

Again, it really depends on what you want to do specifically.
A lot of these languages overlap. But if you're just looking to make a game point blank, I'd recommend Java as it's more equipped to process information and store data. It also compiles the code differently and helps you code more efficiently.

Do you have to make all the graphics? Well not necessarily. You can find hundreds of toolkits online that let you use their graphics for commercial projects. Just make sure you know what you're taking and always remember to credit the artists :)


For 3D Games like Minecraft, I would recommend using a pre-built engine. One of my favorites (and probably one of the most used around) is Unity, it's used by many developers around the globe and it's a quick way to make great 3D games. I'd recommend having a look at that.
Unity gives you the option to program your games in JavaScript, C# or Boo (you can even combine the 3).
Here's a link to the unity website: http://unity3d.com/

Yup I agree with Dusty here. I took the first programming class available at my school, it was like an intro to Java and so far it's a breeze.
I'm not sure how your school works but ours let's you get ahead if you find the curriculum too simple in prog, so I jumped from the
intro to Java Part I in the first couple weeks. Either way, if you start learning before the class begins you should be good to go ;)

Edit: You can't learn Java on Codeacademy, so I'd recommend either buying a book or following YouTube tutorials if you're eager to start soon.
And then once you think you've got the hang of it, look into pre-built game engines that allow you to program in Java (to make your life easier lol) or follow tutorials that mimic games like MC (you could prob find a bunch of those on YouTube too) if you want to build your own.

If anyone wanted to learn Java, here. Honestly, I didn't watch any of this since I didn't want to learn Java.

Python works on android and it's gloriously easy