The forums ate my last post, so I'll try to re-create it.
Everything you need to make a java program comes with the Java Development Kit. To edit the programs in the first place, you can use something lightweight like Notepad++ or something heavyweight like Eclipse as MaulPlague suggested.
As a warning, if you've never programmed before or haven't made games, it'll be a very long time until you could make something like Minecraft. Making something like tic-tac-toe is a cinch, though. Pong and breakout are also doable. Just work your way up and you can do it. We all started somewhere :smile.gif:
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
This forum ticked me off so much I went to random.org and set my password to something I'll never be able to remember, then switched my password reset to a throwaway.
For big projects, you should definitely be using an IDE for managing the project. If you learn to use its features to your advantage, it's a huge time saver and preventer of (some) headaches. Eclipse is a popular one, as mentioned previously; so is BlueJ, I think. No clue what Notch uses.
From your message, I get the impression you haven't programmed before. (Skip the next twos paragraph if you have.) You'll want to get a feel for the basics of programming. Don't even touch graphical stuff until you're relatively comfortable with basic problem-solving logic in programming. Simple math-based problems work nicely to get into things, and since a lot of problems in writing games are math-based it'll be rather useful. Some non-math logic programming is also useful (can't think of a better example than parsing strings of a known format/syntax)...
If you're sure you want to learn Java, see atiaxi's post. You should probably pick up a book or two. Remember that you need to learn not just the language (syntax etc.), but also how to design a program and to write it "well" (efficient, readable code) for what you need it to do.
From there, you can start working on event-based programming and some basic 2D graphical stuff. And games! atiaxi's right on the dot, there - start small, with simple 2D games like Pong and Tetris. Minecraft might seem simple, but it's quite a complicated piece of work. And there's definitely worse games out there, algorithm- and programming-wise. Simple games should let you figure out the basic tools and algorithms that you can later apply to more complicated games.
Another idea that isn't there is simple Zelda-like game (top-down view, real-time combat), or a top-down shooter - mostly to figure out another kind of enemy AI, and maybe play around with collisions and projectile weapons.
Don't try to go too fast. The more you try to skip steps, the more headaches you'll have to deal with at once, trying to figure stuff out - that's something I know quite well from my early days of programming, and even when I learn new languages today. You'll end up learning all the same things about the language and programming, but you'll have ten times the amount of errors/problems/things you didn't understand to figure out if you start off too complicated.
As an extra note, I would personally advise you to look into the language you use for game programming a bit more. Java isn't a particularly efficient language. Also, regardless of which language you use, when you get into more modern, 3D games, use a game library and a graphical library (if the latter isn't included in the game library you're using). Physics, camera movement, etc. are all incredibly complicated, and you probably want to leave that to people who specialize in that field. There are plenty of free, open-source game libraries in a variety of different languages - heck, Notch is using one for Minecraft!
That assumes you want to make games. If you're interested in physics and graphics technology, you might be asking for the wrong advice... =P
If you want to make "Proper" games, then id recommend using a language other than Java as its not rearly made for games like Minecraft. Java lacks pointers which are very useful for large projects.
If you want to make "Proper" games, then id recommend using a language other than Java as its not rearly made for games like Minecraft. Java lacks pointers which are very useful for large projects.
Ah, advice in my original post I forgot to reproduce:
If you're beginning and have never programmed before, the language doesn't matter. The concepts you learn from making a game in Java are easily portable to something like C++ or C# or Python once you're experienced enough.
The only exception is, as Stucuk mentioned, pointers, which is a concept that exists in C/C++/similar languages and not others. I've heard it said that it's hard to pick them up if you start in some other language (I started in C so I can't really offer advice there). However, they're an advanced concept and I think you're still better off getting the basics down first.
If you've brought this question to other forums, you've probably already heard Java-bashing or, really, bashing for any language you pick. Ignore this. It's a distraction from your actual goal.
If you're worried about speed, I'll leave you with the two rules of optimization:
[*:3jwyf6ht] Don't do it
[*:3jwyf6ht] (Experts only!) Don't do it yet.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
This forum ticked me off so much I went to random.org and set my password to something I'll never be able to remember, then switched my password reset to a throwaway.
Pascal is a good language for learning the ropes(It was invented as a Language to teach people how to program). It has the added bonus that Delphi(Which can do everything C++ can) uses the Pascal Syntax. So once you have learned the basics you can move onto Delphi without having to learn a new Syntax.
I actually just started to learn programming about 2 days ago. I have been using Eclipse for Java. I have been following tutorials that come on the website to make a MyLibrary App. You should really check it out.
i know tons of programs like C++ Java Luafor roblox which is my pic on my account programming can be really hard but its easy for notch or jeb to do it you have you understand the meanings of the program like mcedit if you dont know how to use it look it up and if you know what it does then dont look it up
Everything you need to make a java program comes with the Java Development Kit. To edit the programs in the first place, you can use something lightweight like Notepad++ or something heavyweight like Eclipse as MaulPlague suggested.
Tutorials! Thinking in Java and/or the Official tutorial
As a warning, if you've never programmed before or haven't made games, it'll be a very long time until you could make something like Minecraft. Making something like tic-tac-toe is a cinch, though. Pong and breakout are also doable. Just work your way up and you can do it. We all started somewhere :smile.gif:
From your message, I get the impression you haven't programmed before. (Skip the next twos paragraph if you have.) You'll want to get a feel for the basics of programming. Don't even touch graphical stuff until you're relatively comfortable with basic problem-solving logic in programming. Simple math-based problems work nicely to get into things, and since a lot of problems in writing games are math-based it'll be rather useful. Some non-math logic programming is also useful (can't think of a better example than parsing strings of a known format/syntax)...
If you're sure you want to learn Java, see atiaxi's post. You should probably pick up a book or two. Remember that you need to learn not just the language (syntax etc.), but also how to design a program and to write it "well" (efficient, readable code) for what you need it to do.
From there, you can start working on event-based programming and some basic 2D graphical stuff. And games! atiaxi's right on the dot, there - start small, with simple 2D games like Pong and Tetris. Minecraft might seem simple, but it's quite a complicated piece of work. And there's definitely worse games out there, algorithm- and programming-wise. Simple games should let you figure out the basic tools and algorithms that you can later apply to more complicated games.
I think this gives a nice overview of how to start off with game programming (assuming you have some basic programming knowledge): http://www.gamedev.net/reference/progra ... s/davegpg/
Another idea that isn't there is simple Zelda-like game (top-down view, real-time combat), or a top-down shooter - mostly to figure out another kind of enemy AI, and maybe play around with collisions and projectile weapons.
Don't try to go too fast. The more you try to skip steps, the more headaches you'll have to deal with at once, trying to figure stuff out - that's something I know quite well from my early days of programming, and even when I learn new languages today. You'll end up learning all the same things about the language and programming, but you'll have ten times the amount of errors/problems/things you didn't understand to figure out if you start off too complicated.
As an extra note, I would personally advise you to look into the language you use for game programming a bit more. Java isn't a particularly efficient language. Also, regardless of which language you use, when you get into more modern, 3D games, use a game library and a graphical library (if the latter isn't included in the game library you're using). Physics, camera movement, etc. are all incredibly complicated, and you probably want to leave that to people who specialize in that field. There are plenty of free, open-source game libraries in a variety of different languages - heck, Notch is using one for Minecraft!
That assumes you want to make games. If you're interested in physics and graphics technology, you might be asking for the wrong advice... =P
Minecraft Info - Game Requirements - Minecraft Screensaver - MCI Craft
Ah, advice in my original post I forgot to reproduce:
If you're beginning and have never programmed before, the language doesn't matter. The concepts you learn from making a game in Java are easily portable to something like C++ or C# or Python once you're experienced enough.
The only exception is, as Stucuk mentioned, pointers, which is a concept that exists in C/C++/similar languages and not others. I've heard it said that it's hard to pick them up if you start in some other language (I started in C so I can't really offer advice there). However, they're an advanced concept and I think you're still better off getting the basics down first.
If you've brought this question to other forums, you've probably already heard Java-bashing or, really, bashing for any language you pick. Ignore this. It's a distraction from your actual goal.
If you're worried about speed, I'll leave you with the two rules of optimization:
[*:3jwyf6ht] Don't do it
[*:3jwyf6ht] (Experts only!) Don't do it yet.
Minecraft Info - Game Requirements - Minecraft Screensaver - MCI Craft
Type up eclipse on google.
Thanks-Relentless97
http://mag.racked.eu/" target=""
Get A Life! Hahaha
You're a bit late, I doubt they'll see your message.
programming can be really hard but its easy for notch or jeb to do it you have you understand the meanings of the program like mcedit if you dont know how to use it look it up and if you know what it does then dont look it up