Help me start developing homebrew?

[NinjaGuerra]

I really really want to start learning to make homebrew and i want to know where to start.

Whats a good language to start with?
and how would i go about learning it?

thanks in advance, i know it sounds stupid but please help me

[Tito0096]

look for lua tutorials thats a easy one but u have to have patience

[sigudian]

http://dl.qj.net/ProgramLua-v1.0-PSP...9365/catid/151

here you go, put this Peace of homebrew on your psp, fire it up, and youl start learning

[NinjaGuerra]

ok, thank you very much.

when are they going to release more tutorials, and what is THE BEST text editor to have? or wich one does everyone prefer?
-= Double Post =-
notepad would work? or how about that program called textpad?

ill try notepad lol
-= Double Post =-
grr luaplayer for windows wont work, i click luaplayer than the command prompt comes up for a split second then it closes

[DJShrimpy]

Originally Posted by NinjaGuerra

ok, thank you very much.

when are they going to release more tutorials, and what is THE BEST text editor to have? or wich one does everyone prefer?
-= Double Post =-
notepad would work? or how about that program called textpad?

ill try notepad lol
-= Double Post =-
grr luaplayer for windows wont work, i click luaplayer than the command prompt comes up for a split second then it closes

Run the CMD file.

[|-Anubis-|]

Try notepad2. It has syntax highlighting.

[Urza]

You can pretty much use any text editor. I would recommend one with syntax highlighting as it is very helpful.

As for LuaPlayer not working, you actually need a LUA script named test.lua in the same folder for it to run.

[Adiuvo]

Originally Posted by NinjaGuerra

I really really want to start learning to make homebrew and i want to know where to start.

Whats a good language to start with?
and how would i go about learning it?

thanks in advance, i know it sounds stupid but please help me

I am currently learning C/C++ and it's not as hard as everyone says. Also, as LUA isn't used tha much except for the psp. C/C++ is better to learn if you plan to make a career out of programming (which I am ).

[matriculated]

Originally Posted by TrumpeyGeek

Also, as LUA isn't used tha much except for the psp

Aru you kidding?

Lua is used in:
-World of Warcraft
-Farcry
-Baldurs Gate
-Warhammer 4k

and tons more games and applications

[Urza]

If you're planning on getting a job as a programmer, C/C++ is going to be helpful whereas Lua will not. No arguing that.

[sigudian]

Originally Posted by Urza the Tyrant

If you're planning on getting a job as a programmer, C/C++ is going to be helpful whereas Lua will not. No arguing that.

so so true, but anyway any programming language is good to have, the best programmers know different languages, not just one...

plus lua is probably a good place to start

[Urza]

Lua is easy enough to learn that it wouldn't be a huge downfall if you didn't use it later in life.

[sigudian]

if its easy to learn, its a good starting point

plus you can use lua on more than the psp
you can whit most languages also

[Adiuvo]

@ matriculated
Read the sentance after my post.

[NinjaGuerra]

cool thanks guys!

should i jsut go ahead and learn LUA or try and learn C/C++ ?

lua seems easier >_>

and yes i want to have a career in game design =D

[Adiuvo]

Then learn C/C++. Lua won't help you in game design. Anyway, Lua is just a simplified version of C made for scripting.

[JaSo PsP]

i use lua IDE from the dev tools on www.lua.org

[Grimfate126]

Originally Posted by JaSo PsP

i use lua IDE from the dev tools on www.lua.org

can u pm it 2 me?? i cant download it. thx

[NinjaGuerra]

how can i learn C/C++ ?

lua is easy for me to learn thanks to program lua,but i dont know how i would go about learrning C/C++ !

and how long would it take to learn? a couple of months? a year?

[KKlicK]

If you really want to learn C++, like me. Get a book, it will be so much easier. And we're talking months to learn C++.

[PSPduh]

Originally Posted by NinjaGuerra

how can i learn C/C++ ?

lua is easy for me to learn thanks to program lua,but i dont know how i would go about learrning C/C++ !

and how long would it take to learn? a couple of months? a year?

Depends on how dedicated you are to learn it. Go to www.psp-programming.com, and look in the tutorials section. It'll tell you how to set up your enviornment for C/C++.

MisterBeefy, works good also. I learn alot from asking questions and 'ing. But meh.

[JaSo PsP]

jesus christ, months??? is it really worth it?

[Adiuvo]

Originally Posted by JaSo PsP

jesus christ, months??? is it really worth it?

I've been learning things for 1 month and I can make things. But their crappy
So I won't release them.

[Waterbottle]

Originally Posted by JaSo PsP

jesus christ, months??? is it really worth it?

even though it takes ages to become fluent in C/C++ you can quickly become good enough to make somthing (I myself started making a simple topdown view game after like a day, obviously it was **** and I never bothered to finish it.. but still).

[Grimfate126]

i beg to differ against those who say lua wont help u if u wanna go pro. thats just bull. lua is not at very different from C. the language is not the thing u should learn, its the concept/logic. once uve mastered that (im not saying that that i have, far away from it(way far)), then C, C++, lua, POOP++, its all the same.

[Access_Denied]

Originally Posted by Grimfate126

i beg to differ against those who say lua wont help u if u wanna go pro. thats just bull. lua is not at very different from C. the language is not the thing u should learn, its the concept/logic. once uve mastered that (im not saying that that i have, far away from it(way far)), then C, C++, lua, POOP++, its all the same.

Exactly. It's no the language that is hard, it's the logic involved. Anyone can know C++, but if you don't have the logic to put it together into a working program, then it's useless to know it.

[yaustar]

Actually, I find Lua screws up some base concepts in programming if you don't know about it or a beginner which is why discourage it.

For example, passing by reference and passing by value. You can't explicitly say to do either, it does it based on whether a value is a passed or an object. Massive pain in the ass for structure programming. Also the assignment operator, it is very easy to see a program screw up if you thought it was supposd to copy the object when all it did was create a reference to it.

If you are just starting out with C++, then completely forget about programming for the PSP for the moment. It will only add an extra layer of complexity that will stop you from learning the language and the main concepts of programming.

Learn the fundamentals first, these include:
- Variables
- Conditional Statements
- Loops
- Functions
- Return values
- Parameter passing

Gamedev have a C++ workshop that has been going for a while now that you still might be able to catch up. 'Thinking like a Computer scientist' is also considered a good free ebook but nothing will substitute a good 'real' book on paper. At this point, you be mostly working with text in a 'console' (ie command prompt).

Targets: simple applications such as a Line based text editor that reads and writes to a file, Tic Tac Toe, a Text Adventure (with a command parser), Hangman, etc.

Workshop: http://www.gamedev.net/community/for...sp?forum_id=76
Thinking like a computer Scientist (C++ version): http://www.andamooka.org/reader.pl?section=thinkcpp
C Plus Plus Site: http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/

After this you can move onto more language specific areas such as the macros, pointers, references, const, header/source organisation. Also you can start looking at graphical libraries such as SDL and OpenGL, both of which are cross platform and work on the PSP. This means that you can work on the PC and with some minor changes to the code, recompile and it should work on the PSP as well.

Targets: Graphical games such as Tetris, Breakout, snake, Mario clone, a small FPS level.

Thinking In C++ Vol 1: http://www.mindview.net/Books/TICPP/...ngInCPP2e.html
SDL tutorials: http://lazyfooproductions.com/SDL_tutorials/index.php
OpenGL tutorials: http://nehe.gamedev.net/

Finally, you can jump into Object Orientation programming and the finer areas of the language (although you can do this at any point really). Thinking in C++ Vol 2 is probably the best free ebook in this area.

Targets: Anything you want, think big and go for it.

http://www.mindview.net/Books/TICPP/...ngInCPP2e.html

Working on games? At the bottom line, there is little difference in approach to designing a Word Processor and a Game. They both require careful thought and preparation before starting otherwise you end up with very hacky and messy code base which will hinder your project's progress. At present, some of the Lua projects going on here (no offence to anyone, I know you guys are still learning) are falling in that trap, I myself have done so several times in the past as well. However, there several areas that will help you greatly in designing and building a game. One of them is Finite State Machines (FSM). This has been used for the game's structure, AI, item behaviour etc. The other skill is Abstraction which you will pick up with experience. It is basically taking an object and form it in code, from 'base' componments. Eg:

What is a bullet? It has an position in space (X, Y ,Z value), graphical representation and a velocity.

Some other bits and pieces of information:
Keep up your math skills at a good level, especially areas such as Trigonometry, Algebra and Vector math. They are invaluable in programming especially game programmming. Later on, you will need to have some knowledge of matrix math when dealing with 3D scenes.

Here are some FAQs for the C++ language, Matrix math and vectors although you wont need them for a while yet:

C++ FAQ lite: http://www.parashift.com/c++-faq-lite/
Matrix Math FAQ: http://www.gamedev.net/reference/art...rticle1691.asp
Vector Math FAQ: http://www.j3d.org/matrix_faq/vectfaq_latest.html

Learn the Standard Template Library (STL) or/and Boost. They have a number of template classes that are extremely useful such as vectors, lists and smart pointers. Abuse them.

Here are a list of good books to read although they will be at an advance level so keep the list as future reference:
Code Complete
Rapid Development
Pragmatic Programmer
Game Coding Complete (Fantastic book, MUST READ)
Effective C++
Design Patterns: Elements Of Reusable Object Orientated Software

There is a ton more information that I can pass on but I think this should keep you going for a while and you will pick up the rest as you go along.

..........

[PSPduh]

Originally Posted by head_54us

Actually, I find Lua screws up some base concepts in programming if you don't know about it or a beginner which is why discourage it.

For example, passing by reference and passing by value. You can't explicitly say to do either, it does it based on whether a value is a passed or an object. Massive pain in the ass for structure programming. Also the assignment operator, it is very easy to see a program screw up if you thought it was supposd to copy the object when all it did was create a reference to it.


..........

You should put that quote in a new thread titled: "Getting started in homebrew"
As it would help out a load of people. I'll even sticky it.

[yaustar]

You can copy and paste it, I honestly don't mind too much where the credit goes. Just makes sure the title is "Getting Started in C/C++" . If it was for general homebrew, I would have stuck in the uses for python with pygame.

Also I forgot to mention that it is likely that it take years to become a 'good' programmer. It isn't just about writing code, it about design, management and most of all experience. Don't expect to become a top notch programmer overnight or even months down the line. The best way to guage it that we found on our course was "If you can't find the answer on google, then you know your level is above the norm".

[xploren]

Originally Posted by TrumpeyGeek

I am currently learning C/C++ and it's not as hard as everyone says. Also, as LUA isn't used tha much except for the psp. C/C++ is better to learn if you plan to make a career out of programming (which I am ).

I peeked under the hood of Metal Gear Ac!d 2, I saw a folder worth over... 500MB (I think, I don't remember) worth of only Lua files. WOW.

Oh, and since this debate over which Lua, C/C++, or POOP++ (I don't know why I even mentioned that) is better, here's what I think: Just like ARza says, no programming language is better or not. People think Lua sucks, because many people make loser programs with it. But, see the hits coming out of Lua. ARza's Unit Converter, Assualt, and more. It just looks bad because it's easier. Just because it's easier doesn't mean it sucks. Even though C/C++ gives you many more features, it matters what the language MAKES, not how IT IS. That's pretty much everyone thinks. It's about the program, NOT the language. If you want to learn C so much, fine, we can make a ProgramC or something, I don't care. I only care about the program the comes OUT of the language, not the language that goes IN the program. So think about that, and this debate is over. But I know this: POOP++ sucks. Who wants to program with a language that smells worse than a skunk?!?!?! Who, I ask you, who?!