What would you say was the best programming language for me....??

[predbites]

Hi all,

I have a (very) basic understanding of programming (websites HTML and some Java) (I have made some basic mods for Minecraft) and I have decided to make a real, proper game. I have the complete idea for a game that is the same style of "Cut the Rope" and "Where's My Water" but I am not sure what would be the best programming language to learn in order to make it. What do you guys think?

I know that making a game is different to making a mod and I know it can be difficult to learn a new programming language from scratch but I believe I can do it.

[Applewood]

Hi all,

I have a (very) basic understanding of programming (websites HTML and some Java) (I have made some basic mods for Minecraft) and I have decided to make a real, proper game. I have the complete idea for a game that is the same style of "Cut the Rope" and "Where's My Water" but I am not sure what would be the best programming language to learn in order to make it. What do you guys think?

How honest an answer do you want? There'll be lots of people extolling the virtues of this and that, but if you want to write code that can be ported easily to anything and reused in the future, C with classes is it for me. That's basically old-fashioned C calls and classes but without the more esoteric stuff.

Java is feasible to start with though, if it can run minecraft it'll do for your first ever game. Which I can assure you won't be where's my water OR cut the rope. Try snake first.[/QUOTE]

I know that making a game is different to making a mod and I know it can be difficult to learn a new programming language from scratch but I believe I can do it.

Nope, you don't. You can learn, but don't be expecting rapid progress - if you're doing it by yourself, give it five years.

[Shaz]

I jumped into Unity not long ago and am finding it quite nice. You can script in C# or Javascript, and the physics are already there. It's good for 2D games too. Might be worth a look - the basic package is free, and not long ago they offered the iOS and Android plugins for free as well.

[Nutter2000]

+1 for C/C++ here.
If you're serious about coding professionally then it is definitely the place to start, everything else is built on it (from a certain point of view ;-) (I can already hear the twitching of quasi-religious language fanatics grabbing their pitchforks and lighting their torches... begone foul fiends!!!)

However....
if you're just looking to make a game for fun and maybe profit, then I would also recommend looking at Unity3D as a nice cross-platform engine that supports javascript as well as decent languages like C#

[Desktop Gaming]

Doesn't matter what language you use, there is no magical quick solution. I'm not going to suggest you use one language over any other because ultimately, the only replies you're going to get relate to what people are using already, and not necessarily what's best for a beginner. Speaking personally, I've been programming since Amstrad Locomotive Basic (1986), did loads of Licenceware stuff in AMOS/AMOSPro, and only really "found my feet" in 2001 and made some decent selling products from 2010. You might not take that long, but there really isn't a fast track way of doing it. The only thing keeping me sane at the moment, is a daily dose of Citalopram (and I'm not even joking).

[lennard]

I've been programming in C for 20 years. My advice, if you are starting today and already have an understanding of HTML - is to make web based games using HTML, javascript, CSS, PHP & MySQL. Unless you are planning on writing console titles or state of the art 3d games - if you are then look at the advice above.

[HairyTroll]

The best programming language is C and C++. It’s very easy to understand, structured and easily connects with other languages.

C interfaces allow for easy interfaces to other languages. C++ does not. But "Best" is debatable. Would you query a database in C or SQL?

[Teq]

Language is debatable and (making an assumption here) I would imagine with your background a C-like language with similar constructs to JavaScript would suite you well, perhaps AS2 though it might be worth your time learning something which will see you in good stead for the future (such as C, Java, C#, AS3, etc).

I honestly think the better question to ask though would be - what is the best library for me? Switching languages is a regular hazard for game developers wishing to port a game onto popular gaming devices. If your game/graphics library or engine is available on all the platforms you wish to support then half the work is already done for you with you left to convert to the optimal language and customize for the device (screen real-estate, CPU and memory restrictions, storage capacity, controls, etc).