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| MrT |
 Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:27 am Post subject: Computer Programming Question-advice needed |
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Investing Sr. Associate
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This may seem a little out of place, but I have a question for anyone who is knowledgeable about computer programming/software engineering/game programming, etc. I figure there are a lot of intelligent people here and probably someone with the experience to give me some good advice.
Basically, I am interested in pursuing a small hobby I have always found interesting. I want to be able to create small windows applications (mostly little games, some custom software dealing with databases) with nothing more complicated than 2D graphics.
Now, before you say it, my next question is not, "What programming language should I use?" I actually want to know, "What Design Interface should I use?" I actually have a lot of working knowledge of programming for text based applications using C++, Fortran (I don't know why), Basic, etc. I am comfortable with learning commands for a text based interface and I have plently of apps that can do that for me. I really want to know a good environment for laying out an interface for an application with some simple graphics on a windows system (XP and Vista), excellent tutorials and resources, good debugging tools, etc.
Reason for question - I actually recently purchased Visual Studio 2005 Professional with the intent of learning to use C++ to make some little games in windows for my own amusement and some custom finance applications (I was looking for something with more power than Access). I had no problem making console applications, but even making something beyond a simple windows box proved somewhat difficult because I didn't have the experience with Visual Studio. As it turns out, Microsoft doesn't do a particular good job of supporting Visual Studio 2005 C++ and nearly every single tutorial that they publish on the web relates to C# or Basic. (Presumably because they would prefer everyone uses these). Also, there is a lack of other people using this, so examples and books are sparse.
So now, I really want to figure out what has a good Development Interface for making relatively simple Windows applications with graphics. I am willing to learn a new language, but I don't want to go through the boring phase of learning commands and syntax only to find out that the available documentation for creating graphical environments is sparse.
I have looked at a few options, such as C++, C#, Basic, Java, and Python, all of which can meet my criteria, but I don't know what IDE would do the best job!
Here is the criteria I am looking for:
Most Important
1. IDE that supports graphical development (VS2005 may be the answer)
2. Lots of user support, well-supported, good tutorials, and LOTS of examples because I learn best through well-thought out examples (I have found VS2005 to be lacking in this aspect, but VS.NET seemed to have been better supported)
3. IDE that doesn't make make debugging a pain
4. Something that supports some sort of SQL interface (mySQL interface would be great)
5. Makes portable applications: this seems obvious, but is not always the case. I want to make programs that I can turn into an executable and use with minimal additional files on another windows system easily.
6. Scalability: It has to be something that can allow very elaborate, detailed applications, even though I am interested mainly in smaller efforts.
7. Object-Oriented Programming Environment: I've dabbled with OOP, but I really want to learn it through experience with applications.
Least Important
1. Cost:partially, I already have visual studio, and a free IDE would be nice, but I also don't mind dropping $50-$100 on one that is a lot more user-friendly. Also, I would actually prefer a language and corresponding programming environment that has some books I can buy to learn from.
2. Creating web-applications: I'm not interested, some networking capability would be nice, but I'm really just looking at doing single computer applications.
3. Actual programming language: I'm not picky.
4. Type of graphics library: OpenGL or DirectX, I don't really care, as long as there are very good examples using that development environment.
5. Execution speed of language: I'm not one of those extreme programmers who will only program in C++ rather than have a 5% drop in performance using another language. Unless there is a significant performance issue like "It runs 10x slower than a comparable C++ app", I'm not too picky
Thanks in advance! I hope there is someone out there with experience willing to offer good advice!
Last edited by MrT on Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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| soontoberich |
| Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:55 am Post subject: |
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Investing Associate
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| As far as computer programming goes...I'm useless with anything other than Python. (Computer guys, start laughing.) But for your search, try looking at cnet or other file sharing websites. They are free (or free to try) and you might just find exactly what you are looking for. And on a side note, I use it all the time and I've never gotten a virus. Give it a shot. Most of the sites have new up and comming programmers that are just trying to get their ideas out there, so some good things can be found. Hope I was any help. |
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| geb9696 |
| Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:33 am Post subject: |
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Investing VP
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| I am taking a class with a professor that has a lot of knowledge in this area. I am going to print out your post and take it to class today and see what he says about it. I have class later today so I should have some type of response for you later tonight. |
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| geb9696 |
| Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:06 am Post subject: |
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Investing VP
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| You also may want to take a look at www.sitepoint.com The forum there is top notch and I am sure someone will be able to give you an answer. |
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| MrT |
| Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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Investing Sr. Associate
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| soontoberich wrote: | | As far as computer programming goes...I'm useless with anything other than Python. (Computer guys, start laughing.) But for your search, try looking at cnet or other file sharing websites. They are free (or free to try) and you might just find exactly what you are looking for. And on a side note, I use it all the time and I've never gotten a virus. Give it a shot. Most of the sites have new up and comming programmers that are just trying to get their ideas out there, so some good things can be found. Hope I was any help. |
Thanks, I have used cnet before, it's a good site. Unfortunately, I could spend years downloading everyone's programming development tools and learning how to use them.  |
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| MrT |
| Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:39 pm Post subject: |
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Investing Sr. Associate
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| geb9696 wrote: | | You also may want to take a look at www.sitepoint.com The forum there is top notch and I am sure someone will be able to give you an answer. |
Thanks, I looked at that website, and I'll send my question there also, but I'm not sure I'll get a good answer because they talk mostly about web design. I'm really not interested in web design, but I'll ask anyways because I'm sure they have varied experience.
I've actually looked around at different web sites and forums for some time, and have not found any answers to my satisfaction. There is plently of advice out there for beginners to learn a good 'starter language', but not a lot of information on one that has a good, easy to learn design interface for doing computer graphics. I really prefer to use forums as a last resort for such questions since the internet is full of information, but I really haven't found the answer out there. |
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| MrT |
| Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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Investing Sr. Associate
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| Oh, I almost forgot, I would like a to work in a very object oriented environment, so I edited my post to include that. |
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