Message #3544

From: Roice Nelson <roice3@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [MC4D] Re: How do I start coding?
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2016 12:23:02 -0500

My recommendation would be to keep it simpler and start with a framework
like Unity <https://unity3d.com/>, which will let you operate at a higher
level and get going more quickly with less effort. Starting with C++ can
be ok, but might make things more difficult than needed. No matter the
route you take, my advice is to keep your projects contained and
achievable, and push your boundaries a little further with each one.
Otherwise, it’s too easy to let roadblocks kill progress altogether.

All of my puzzle code is C++ and C#, but I have a heavy preference for the
latter and don’t do C++ projects anymore. The drawing is done with OpenGL,
much of which I learned from The Red Book
<http://www.glprogramming.com/red/> (a bit outdated now since modern
drawing has moved towards shaders). For C#, I use the OpenTK
<https://github.com/opentk> library to do my drawing, and the MagicTile code
<https://github.com/roice3/MagicTile> is an example usage. You could fork
that and rip most everything out for a simple UI program with an OpenGL
drawing surface. However, there are surely better starter projects out
there with Unity, WebGL samples <http://webglsamples.org/>, etc. Find a
simple sample, try to extend it in a small way, and you’ll be moving!

By working with a hodgepodge of resources, I think you are approaching this
like any programming I’ve ever done :) Swapping languages is often mostly
syntax, so learning the basics of programming well with one of them will
serve you just fine as you get going. Again, I recommend keeping things as
simple as possible. Don’t get bogged down with multiple languages, but try
to have a successful project or two using a single language.

Good luck!
Roice

On Thu, Oct 27, 2016 at 11:52 AM, llamaonacid@gmail.com [4D_Cubing] <
4D_Cubing@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

>
>
> My questions is quite general which might make it a problem… Any
> suggestion or comments would help though. It would be nice if we had a
> guide on how to start coding here in the hypercubing community if that
> question keep coming up. I am reading Programming: Principles and Practice
> Using C++ and in my opinion is better than C++ Primer Plus. I am watching
> some YouTube videos, have checked out freecodecamp (deals with javascrip)
> which have a chat room and Facebook meet up in real life. Anyways, I am
> just working with a hodgepodge of resources.
>
>
>