im thinking of starting java and i have a few questions
1.i need a review on beginning java 6 game programming
2.is it a very very very cheap language to use
3.is it worth it??????
thanks lukas76

My answers:
1. Do you already have a well grounded programming concept?
2. Java is free.
3. Any skills you learn in Java can usually apply to programming in other languages, so yes.

- Java is a free language brought to you by Sun Microsystems =)

- I would not attempt to program a game unless you have the basics/intermediates of programming down in java. It would just end up a mess, and you'd end up hurting your game more then helping.

- I use NetBeans IDE....it's a great free IDE for java go to NetBeans 6.0

g watt
1. no i have no what so ever java experience so what book should i get
thanks outlaw and gwatt for your suggestions
lukas76

Google-->Java + Tutorials --> Start!

Learn the basics first. Game programming won't make anysense without it.

You could do c++ and then jumping over to Java will be a smooth transition. If you want to be a career programmer, then I do recommend c++. However, if you are just a casual programmer and want a nice language, Java is a great place to start. C++ and Java both have similar syntax since Java came out of C++ to begin with.

It is really up to you and what your goals are. If you are doing games, again C++ would be your best bet. You want to do web applets and such, Java is your choice.

I use "Java Software Solutions: Foundations of Program Design" by Lewis and Loftus. It's a great book for beginners and noobies all the way up to intermediate.

thanks outlaw im googling the book right now
thanks lukas76

i need a cheaper book but thanks for the suggestion outlaw
also thanks every1 whos been replying to this post
lukas76

I don't think this is the case anymore. In fact, this probably hasn't been the case for 5-10 years. I know plenty of career software developers who haven't touched C++ in years (or ever). No offense, but I think you are overestimating its importance to a huge portion of to today's programming jobs. Java and Java related technologies and frameworks is a very large (and growing) area that many businesses use. I'm sure Sun Microsystems and the thousands of contributing developers and 3rd party tools/frameworks wouldn't be investing as much time/energy into Java as they have been if it were just for the "casual programmer." I started programming using C++ and I think it's a great language, so I'm not language bashing. I just want the OP to have a more realistic view of things and I feel your comment, while I'm sure well-intentioned, was misleading.

This post has been edited by Programmist: 28 Jan, 2008 - 01:09 PM

i tried c++ and didnt like it soo i tried blitzplus and it was to expensive soo thats why i want to try making java browser based games
thanks lukas76

You'll like java, just make sure you learn the foundations of the language. After you learn Java you can easily switch over to C++ from what was stated earlier.

C++ may not be the language used in all applications, but it is the foundation of several languages. Also believe me when I say that companies are still asking for it. I am currently in a job search and run across dozens of posts all the time asking for this language (along with a dozen other languages but that is another story). C++ was the foundation of Java as you probably know. It is also the heart of many game engines. C++ is the language of choice for drivers, background processes, game development, even the company T-mobile uses it for the billing systems. It is important in telecommunication applications, many programs in linux were written in C++ yadda yadda yadda. It is also one of the reasons why C/C++ forum on this board is almost double that of Java. I even write the occasional app in C++ for clients.

It is a very useful utility language and like it or not, it is still there and in demand. And if you know career programmers who don't know a lick of C++ I would seriously doubt their skillset. Can a programmer go through life only knowing Java and a handful of other languages? Sure. Is C++ needed? Nope. But in todays programming market saying you have no C++ experience is like saying "Yeah I can write sentences, but you know I am a bit foggy on the alphabet".

Now back to what I had been saying, I wasn't saying that Java is for only beginners or that C++ is the be all to end all but for their purpose, C++ is great for career programmers (because it teaches them some great OOP) and can help someone breaking in to move to other languages including Java. Java is a great entry language too and can take someone to the most advanced levels.

I really can't believe I have to sit here and defend someone learning C++ as a started language and its importance in todays market. For gods sake, I am not saying C or Ada or Pascal is essential. We are talking C++ here.

But anyways....