Post by irvsp on Aug 1, 2013 14:57:08 GMT
I've got a grandson who want to learn how to program. He's played with some Basic stuff (language) but wants to learn more. He's only 9. I've introduced him to SMALL BASIC but it appears he wants to do more 'advanced' stuff. C++ will be way over the top for him I'm sure.
He said he wanted to create a 'first person shooter', but I explained that wasn't an easy way to start. You'd have to draw 'characters', move them, change images, mess with sprites, objects, how to shoot at the sprite, how to know when it was hit as well as you and have the sprite attack. OK, I think he understood that. So he then said he wanted to do a card game... which I agree is an easier task, as long as the cards can be displayed.
Searching around I found PLAY BASIC which I think would be suitable.
It isn't clear if either of these (free versions at least) would allow him to create a stand-alone executable.
I'm not sure one of the above is really 'good enough' for him to do what he wants. At the same time I know C++ will overwhelm him.
I can't find anything in between though, and want mainstream compilers (preferably free). There appears to be some Visual Studio/Express/Basic compilers/IDE's available for free and I have older Visual Basic CD's as well.
Play Basic does have source code for many projects available and I think with some of those to look at he'd be able to figure out what to do (and I'll help too). It might be the best choice depending on what his idea for the game is.
Any other resources I've missed or suggestions? I have not done heavy coding in 20 years I guess and the last time was 2002 on some existing code (C++).
He said he wanted to create a 'first person shooter', but I explained that wasn't an easy way to start. You'd have to draw 'characters', move them, change images, mess with sprites, objects, how to shoot at the sprite, how to know when it was hit as well as you and have the sprite attack. OK, I think he understood that. So he then said he wanted to do a card game... which I agree is an easier task, as long as the cards can be displayed.
Searching around I found PLAY BASIC which I think would be suitable.
It isn't clear if either of these (free versions at least) would allow him to create a stand-alone executable.
I'm not sure one of the above is really 'good enough' for him to do what he wants. At the same time I know C++ will overwhelm him.
I can't find anything in between though, and want mainstream compilers (preferably free). There appears to be some Visual Studio/Express/Basic compilers/IDE's available for free and I have older Visual Basic CD's as well.
Play Basic does have source code for many projects available and I think with some of those to look at he'd be able to figure out what to do (and I'll help too). It might be the best choice depending on what his idea for the game is.
Any other resources I've missed or suggestions? I have not done heavy coding in 20 years I guess and the last time was 2002 on some existing code (C++).