Re: Programming question-Please help

From: "David H. Bolton" <david@codecraft.demon.co.uk>

Date: Sun, 13 Jun 1999 00:00:00 +0000

In article <7j9chh$mtt$1@nnrp1.deja.com>, MindShift Design LLC
<jasonm@mindshiftdesign.com> writes

Just my little addition on Jason's excellent post. Another language,
well worth considering is Delphi. Delphi 1 for 16 bit is available free
and You can get Delphi 2 (a powerful 32 bit compiler) for free on some
magazines cover CDs, and with Delphi 4 out, and 5 seemingly due soon,
its likely that Delphi 3 will be given out free soon.

Delphi has the power of C++ (Full objects oriented if you want it)
produces very fast code, but is a bit easier to use than Visual Basic
and certainly much easier than Visual C++ which has a steep learning
curve
.
In addition there is absolutely thousands of free components on the web
that have been written in Delphi, and come with complete source. Delphi
uses Pascal which is actually very similar to C/C++ except it uses words
like begin end instead of { and }. You get database handling (useful for
complex customer searches) an incredibly easy to create user interface,
very good string handling, and with a free third party library (DelphiX)
can do 50 frames per second screen updates. You can include assembler in
the pascal source just like some C++ compilers.

The only downside to Delphi is (a) it is Windows only and (b) is not
done by Microsoft. Its probably the leading non-microsoft development
system on Windows. It is ideally suited for developing Play By Mail
games and Email clients (guess what I do in my spare time).

David Bolton
Warlord & Quest Designer/developer (but KJC now do all their own
development)

>Hi Sam
>
>I'll try and help out a little.
>
>In article <NOU6CBA5RBW3EwlE@homeway.demon.co.uk>,
>  Sam Palmer <Sam@Bitton.homeway.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>> I need to ask your advice, This thread does not really belong here but
>> then I have always come to you lot first for help.
>>
>> I want to learn programming, My local college provides a course the
>> description states.
>>
>> Programming in C++C&G 7261 - Beginners
>>
>> Learn how to programme in a language which has commercial uses. You
>> should be confidnet in using computers although previous knowledge of
>> programming is not essential.
>>
>> 10wks for �87
>>
>> What I need to know is...Is there a tutoring web-site which would help
>> me to learn programming just like a HTML web-site helped me learn web-
>> construction? This would save me 87 pound.
>
>There are lots of websites dedicated to programming languages and quite
>a few of them that will have some beginning tutorials. But C++ isn't as
>forgiving a language as some, and has very strict rules about how to
>write code and the execution of that code. Because of this is a great
>multiplatform language. Rather than use websites, which will take a lot
>of time to learn from (try juggling web pages, notes, and your code
>documents at the same time on an extended basis), you may want to
>either invest in a book published by SAMS (Teach Yourself C++ in 21
>days for instance) or QUE (a little more technical but still great
>books usually). Check your library first to find titles. If you're
>close to a big library then they may have something in. Seeing as
>you're in the UK, visiting lots of websites may end up costing more
>than sitting the course with per-minute phone charges.
>
>As for sitting a course, sometimes this works better for some rather
>than others. I've been programming since I was 8 years old and tend to
>find that I can pick up a book or some documents and get into a
>language pretty quickly and cheaply myself. But that's taken a long
>time to get there to do that.
>
>> When it says language with commercial uses, what does that mean?
>
>This means a language that is used in the commercial or 'working'
>world. A lot of C++ programmers use it for their hobby, but in the
>mainstream commercial software industries it's one of the most powerful
>languages. Most of the big companies that produce computer games code
>in C++. because they can write the code once and port it over to
>several platforms - PC, Playstation, N64 etc, because the code is
>portable. They may have to tweak it a little to optimize it, but that's
>what's usually done. The theory is "write once, use many times".
>
>C++ is very close to Java in structure and execution, but Java is a
>little easier to learn, so you may want to pick up a book or two on
>that first to ease you into programming.
>
>A word to all would-be PBM programmers. Contrary to popular belief,
>programming is easy. Programming effectively is hard and takes a lot of
>practice. Programming complex PBM programs takes a lot of time,
>ernergy, resources and ability. So if you're want to write
>the 'ultimate' PBM game then start small and develop your skills. Then
>work towards making more complex applications.
>
>> Is there a newsgroup to do with programming?
>
>There are plenty. Go to www.deja.com and do a search on C++
>programming. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
>
>--
>Jason Paul McCartan - jasonm@mindshiftdesign.com
>CEO
>MindShift Design LLC Website - http://www.mindshiftdesign.com
>       "Altering Perceptions, Creating Worlds"
>
>
>Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
>Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

--
David H. Bolton

"Because I'm worth it"
(Remove spam from header if replying)

References

Programming question-Please help
Sam Palmer <Sam@Bitton.homeway.demon.co.uk>
Fri, 04 Jun 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Programming question-Please help
MindShift Design LLC <jasonm@mindshiftdesign.com>
Fri, 04 Jun 1999 00:00:00 +0000