I was wondering how you could make graphics in Batch (if possible). The best thing I can do that resembles graphics is change the color of the text and background. Is it possible, or should I just get some other scripting interpreter (I don't want to buy a compiler and I don't trust most downloads)

That's pretty much it. Batch is nothing more than a series of commands for the console, so you are limited to what you can do in the console. Graphically, not much more than text and background colors, and even that is limited.

I don't know what to tell you. You can't really get far unless you download some kind of compiler or interpreter package. It's not like these are shady downloads. They are free and reputed.

Ok, but I still can't get past downloading blocks my parents set. Any suggestions on codes that can be bought at stores?

That's very unfortunate. Let's run with this constraint. If you can't download anything, your best language to learn is Javascript. Javascript is used to add interactivity, among other things, to webpages. What it exactly is, you will understand after some study. The reasons I picked this language are:

- It runs in the web browser. Clearly, you can surf the internet (perhaps with limitations). A modern web browser is all you need to get properly started with Javascript, and even if you don't have the ideal setup for working with Javascript, you can still get started and still do something useful.
- It's in widespread usage. Javascript is heavily used. It just is, as there are no alternatives to the kind of functionality that Javascript provides. At least not alternatives that are really viable. Widely used languages are easy to learn. You need to be able to easily get information from the internet and books, and using something not very popular doesn't help you. Especially if you are not already a programmer.
- It has long term value. Javascript is here to stay. Not the least because of the functionality it provides.

I didn't exactly have a selection to pick from though...Still, there's no reason to despair. Javascript is a good worthy language to learn. For many people, Javascript does end up being their first language. All those people who want to make fancy websites? Quite likely they end up learning Javascript as their first programming language.

On that note, learning Javascript pushes you towards a web development route. You should first start with HTML and CSS. They are the base languages (not programming languages though) for designing a webpage. You don't have to become a master with them, although if you like web design you can go along. But you need basic knowledge because in learning Javascript, you will need to work with a webpage.

Like Javascript, you don't need anything fancy for HTML. Start by Googling up HTML and read some tutorials on the web and put the knowledge to practice. After you are comfortable with plain HTML work, add in CSS, and spend a bit of time making webpage designs. Then you are ready to investigate Javascript.

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That said, it really still hurts not to be able to download. If you think reasoning with your parents is a viable option, try taking it. You don't need a complete lift on the block. If you can just download one or two programs, that's enough to make your programming experience less painful.

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Not the stores you can drive down to and visit. Don't go this route, unless you classify yourself as "I have money to freely throw away".

This post has been edited by Oler1s: 3 Jul, 2009 - 07:54 PM

I think the solution here is pretty obvious, just talk to your parents...

yup.

Alternatively, you could get a friend to download a compiler for a language like C# or C++ and then burn it to a disk.