What programming language should I use?

[hladun]

Lua or C??
I'm a beginner, with my heart set on making a killer psp game app.
Which one is easier, for the time being?

[idk2]

I would suggest learning to program for the PC first then trying a psp app.

[Bronx]

If you want to make a 'killer' app, then c... But Lua is easier.

[Slasher]

This question gets asked way too often.

[Dex]

How about Python?

[SG57]

This question is more of a 'What programming language can i use' if you have to ask this question to a public forum.

Personally, I encourage any form of C as it will help you later in a programming career, where as scripting in LUA will do very little of for you later in a programming career.

[TheEmulatorGuy]

Personally, I'd advise not listening to SG57. What he doesn't understand is that Lua will help you in your career (which I might add the topic creator didn't even ask for). It'll help you get that career started so you can move onto bigger things when you're ready.

Jumping straight to C without any programming knowledge is like taking heroine when you're 5. You'll want to work your way up to C. That's how I've done it.

If you want to jump straight in to PSP coding, definitely start with Lua. However, if you'd like some other programming knowledge, I'd suggest learning PHP. It's quite difficult compared to some other languages, but if you're dedicated, it's a good starter.

[SG57]

Yes, cause their are many more LUA tutorials than C

Plus, these threads are pointless as if you have to ask what language to use, than your not ready to program as youll be basing everything from them on, off someone else's opinion...

[F.T.P.]

Actualy, although I generaly don't like lua, I have seen some pretty cool games/apps made for the PSP that where programed in lua. Lua is also definitly alot easier than C or C++.

As for just carrier based programing, your gunna be using c/c++ alot more than your ever gunna use lua, infact, I've never even been hired for a lua job. If you want an easy languge to help you learn the ins and outs of programing and is actualy used (kinda) learn VB. IMO, its easier than LUA and used a hell of alot more. However, there is nothing to compile VB script to work on a PSP.

I agree with SG57, if you dont know what languge to start with I'd say your already way ahead of yourself.

[SuperBatXS]

i agree with TheEmulatorGuy

[Zettablade]

SG57 is right on this one (dammit)
But IMHO noobs like you don't even have the right to even think of trying to program. Ever heard of Google?

[SG57]

Zetta - Yay? 8)

It may be best juts to sampel each language, see how you like it. But for warning you, if you hate/suck at math... youll have a hard time

[Insert_Witty_Name]

Use whichever you feel comfortable with.

The thing with programming is that you can take the concepts learnt and apply it to any language.

Lua is a good start for homebrew.

I've seen some great homebrew done in Lua and some poor homebrew written in C.

In the end it's the developer - not the language.

[SG57]

In the end, it's the machine.... Silly goose...

[hladun]

Thanks for the help guys.
I think i'll pursue LUA for now, and C once i'm a little bit better.
I'm actully trying to make 'stacker' for psp LOL
If anyone is interested in the coding part of this project, PM me.
I'd do all graphics and other portions.

[TheEmulatorGuy]

Originally Posted by Zettablade

SG57 is right on this one (dammit)

>_> seriously?

I thought I was correct to hell's extent. I don't even understand the basis for his argument. Why would you want to start with C?

[Zettablade]

Originally Posted by TheEmulatorGuy

>_> seriously?

I thought I was correct to hell's extent. I don't even understand the basis for his argument. Why would you want to start with C?

I didn't read that far. I just red the "you need to do more research part" and that was it. lol
But after reading yours, I think Im gonna have to go with you. If he is really serious, he does need to learn some sort of scripting language before trying out c.

[cyanide]

My advice, start with ASM, move on to C, then C++, then finally you can pwn others at Lua and BASIC

[Samstag]

Originally Posted by hladun

Lua or C??
I'm a beginner, with my heart set on making a killer psp game app.
Which one is easier, for the time being?

Ignore anyone telling you not to use LUA. They're only reading the first line of your post and responding with a canned answer. Most of the C zealots started with LUA and don't realize it made learning C easier.

I started with BASIC and now I'm a professional software engineer. Although I've never written anything in LUA it is easily a more accessable language for a beginning programmer. Go here and see if that doesn't make sense to you. There are also excellent C tutorials for the PSP, but they don't teach you the C language, which is clearly evident by the number of people who post here after making a tiny modification to the tutorial programs and not understanding why it doesn't work.

The speed and power of C is completely wasted when you don't have a firm grasp of good coding technique or the strengths/weaknesses of the PSP environment.

[pspcoder05]

If you want actual PSP Native programming ,
then C. I personally perfer C as its alot more powerful.

[yaustar]

Forget developing on the PSP while you are learning a language/learning to program. Learn on the easiest platform: the PC.

I would suggest looking at Python (with PyGame [SDL bindings] ) or C# (with XNA [Microsoft's 'free' Game Engine] ). Both good 'beginner' languages and are well documented.

C/C++ can be very daunting to some beginners. Others will pick it up fine.

[Moonchild]

Lua is a scripting language, C/C++ are programming languages
Anyway, for a starter I would suggest lua (and then maybe learn C or C++).