Battle of the programmers - c, c#, c++, XNA?

Question

witch of the programming tools should i use? i like the ldea of making cross platform games with XNA( uses c# i think) but i also would like a job im computing science, i am only 15 but don't want to over stress and get confused, what is best for witch? thanks.

Answer 1

Each language has it's pros and cons so it's good to look and analyze first. Go with whatever is best for you, here take a look at this:



C++/C:

C++ is merely C with a few additional things, everything you can do with C you also can with C++. So if you're gonna do one of those, just go to C++. It has been used a lot to make games so it's a good language to learn, although if you have never programmed before it may seen a bit hard and confusing at first.



C#:

I'd say it's easier to learn than C++, although it follows the same logic. In recent years this has gained a lot of popularity and not only that, but it opens the way to many great programming tools like XNA. Definitely something to consider.



Java

It's been used a whole lot for games lately and the Java gaming industry is growing in at an incredibly fast rate. However I wouldn't really recommend this as a first language, since it can be very confusing, hard, and frustrating, I'd try learning some other language before moving to Java, unless you're up for the challenge.



Visual Basic

My personal favorite and perhaps the easiest language to learn. You should be able to create games easily and you could even go into DarkBasic (which in fact, is a very good programming tool, at least so I've heard) if you end up liking it.

Answer 2

If you are serious about a job in computer science, get over the idea that the language is the be all and end all of programming. Even school curricula will place too much emphasis on this programming language for this task. Computer Science is a special case of applied math. This is what they told us when my sister was studying applied math at Brown University in the late sixties and in all the years since I've seen nothing to contradict it -- except that abominable legal fiction called software patents which has nothing to do with programming.



Some things are more convenient in one language and another. C# and XNA make it more convenient to use Microsoft tools -- period. As such I do NOT recommend them as a FIRST programming language. That is not to say I don't recommend them, but as Top Contributor Colanth says, don't learn a programming language. Learn programming.



If you are using Windows I strongly recommend learning the command line first. I use Linux mainly and don't even use an ide for writing programs. I was on XP a few weeks ago for a few days until my ISP put so much gunkware on this machine I had to reformat it to keep it off-line when you wanted it to be offline and I said, since I'd rather be on slackware... While on Windows I downloaded and installed mingw. This is a windows port of the libraries (and compiler) Linux runs on. To compile I wrote it with a text editor then just compiled from the command line. To step through it, I compiled with the -g option then typed "gdb " where progname was the program name. For multiple files I used make -- which you can do with visual c++ or could the last time I tried. CMD.EXE is a flexible program. The bash shell is more flexible but it's also used on Linux, BSD AND the Mac OS X. Microsoft has different priorities for their command interpreter. These do include providing a command interpreter with all the important features of any programming language. You can learn the commands by executing them then write text files (.bat files in windows) which will be executed bye the interpreter the same way the OS will execute exe files. Start there. Then go with a compiled language and maybe another interpreted language. It doesn't matter which. Really it doesn't.

Answer 3

Hey you've got a great portfolio. You're way senior than me in the IT field but still I'd like to suggest stuff to you without making myself look bad. You can do with C/C++ today also but on the hardware integration level (like programming for the various gadgets like iPhones, smart phones etc). However the trend is focused on higher level languages since the computer has become much powerful and the processing power isn't much of an issue. If you're interested in web development then I'd suggest you to go with various web service platforms - like .NET, Sun's ONE etc. If you are more adaptive to the server side programming ,esp on UNIX or Linux then you can go with PHP. On Microsoft ASP.NET and VB.NET, or C# is a must. Since MS platform is popular mostly on the corporate environment, as you might have noticed with your background on desktop+network support, you might want to go with .NET to be on the safe side. A better way would be to get a MCSE certification just proving the companies that you're still on the roll. (Especially due to the changing trend in technology) Well - you can go with the JAVA platform - but I can't really say what's going on with it. But the key thing nowadays is to be a programmer who also has a knowledge on designing if you are trying to be the UI (User Interface) developer. Actually the design aspect will help you even if you don't want to program at all - there's a whole new dimension to it. For hardcore designers I'd recommend developing Flash applications. They could be powerful too especially when developing 3 tier software. And finally no matter what programming language you choose be sure to equip yourself with the knowledge of database - esp Oracle, MS SQL and My SQL. They'll come handy all the time. With the hands on Network experience and C/C++ knowledge you'll be the great asset to any organization you wish to work. Good luck on your career as a programmer!

Answer 4

Learning C is the best start, then progressing onto parts of C++ you may need for game design and then C#. Avoid java for beginners, it's a minefield.



Oh yeah, did you know that some computing science courses and computer game design courses at UK universities (if you're in the UK) teach you the programming and design from scratch? darkBASIC and use of 3DS Max

Answer 5

if you are a beginner programmer, learning C would be a great start, otherwise C++ is good for portability, C# would be good to learn too. If you really want to make games then XNA is a good idea. Don't learn Java if you are a beginner.

Answer 6

Learn C++ "...start with C++, you’ll love it for the rest of your life.. :)"

=

Book:

Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup

- http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Principles-Practice-Using-C/dp/0321543726

- - Written for Self-Study

=

Code::Blocks == Open Source C/C++ IDE

- http://www.codeblocks.org/downloads/binaries

codeblocks-10.05mingw-setup.exe

=

Tutorials online:

- http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial/lesson1.html

- http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/

Answer 7

use the JAVA program