Alpha Centauri 2

Community => Recreation Commons => Topic started by: Metaliturtle on June 15, 2015, 09:30:31 PM

Title: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 15, 2015, 09:30:31 PM

Actually broke down and bought a how to java book and everything.  Would have enrolled in school too but decided the house was a more important next step for my daughter.

Realize I have next to no coding experience but would be cool to have a place to

Code: [Select]

code with feedback.  Any of the rest of you Java experts?

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 15, 2015, 09:36:29 PM

Uh, Draz is around and his power is max.  Yitzi is quite scientific.  I may PM a few people for you tonight, and point them here.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 15, 2015, 09:44:14 PM

I'd like to think if I put stuff publicly I'll get better feedback.  Realize my code's going to be like someone's first time speaking English...

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Lorizael on June 16, 2015, 02:13:35 AM

I've been programming for ~15 years, but never seriously. I taught myself a little Java around this time last year, but I'm by no means an expert.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 16, 2015, 02:23:51 AM

I'll take it, what were your obstacles getting into programming?  What would you do different?

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Yitzi on June 16, 2015, 06:17:03 AM

I haven't learned Java...but learning a language is probably one of the smaller parts of learning to program.  The real question (at least when starting) is whether you can take your goal and break it up into the necessary steps.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2015, 01:51:51 PM

Disagree to a point on the language barrier.  I was fairly adept at basic way back in the day, but jumped from an Apple IIe to a Windows 98 machine, and then didn't attempt coding until trying to build a website not too long ago.  While I can take a simple program someone's written in most of the new languages today and alter it to do something I want, I could no longer build something from the ground up, the language has passed me by.  (and I'm afraid the whole move to getting things to work well on smartphone crap is beyond me entirely, going to have to find something off the shelf soon and not fiddle)

It's like trying to speak Italian based on a scientific understanding of Latin.  Give me time and I can work out what's being said, but I couldn't just start speaking to someone. 

Ironically, I have to explain basic to youngens regularly, and they have a similarly difficult time grasping it. 

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 16, 2015, 02:13:32 PM

I was an early adapter -had a TRS Coco in 1981- and I got good enough in Basic that Mylochka depended on me debugging her programs.  She actually had a far greater command of the language, but I have these pedant/OCD tendencies (that I can mostly turn off and not have them cause me problems when I don't need them, but they're there) to bring to bear on a tedious logic problem.

And like Uno, time has passed me by - the most complex programming I ever actually wrote was to add a random move function to an Othello two-player program that wouldn't allow illegal moves - and amusingly, it was a terrible opponent, but Mylochka lost a lot against it.  No doubt for the same reason I was debugging for her barely knowing Basic.  Weird difference in aptitude for two people who often think so much alike.  -And no one who ever saw her working away for hours sewing hair into a Barbie head, or working on her Poser art would be deluded that she has no capacity for patiently juggling a lot of niggling detail.

Gamera, Mylochka is Buster's Aunt.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Lorizael on June 16, 2015, 04:02:50 PM

Quote from: metaliturtle on June 16, 2015, 02:23:51 AM

I'll take it, what were your obstacles getting into programming?  What would you do different?

I semi-agree with the two semi-contradictory points made above. A lot about programming in general is learning the kinds of commands a computer can take, which are fairly standard across programming languages and differ only in syntax. For example, most computer languages have a way to repeat a particular piece of code until X happens, whatever X is. If you know that that's the kind of solution you want for a particular problem, then oftentimes the rest is just figuring out how to implement that in a particular language.

On the other hand, and getting at your questions, one of the reasons why I never got serious about programming is because it's very easy to program in a little isolated sandbox universe, but much more complicated to actually take something you've built and have it interact with the rest of the world. When I was programming as a kid (in QBasic), I didn't particularly care much about whether my program could be used by other people, or interact with websites, or anything of that. I just wanted to play my RPG/space fighter/Connect 4. And I can still do just that if I want to, even with C or Java. But if I want to do something that exists in our internety world, it's all much more complicated and I'm fairly lost.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 17, 2015, 04:05:14 AM

and that is sort of the thing.  I want to get into a career with it because I'm predicting my job is one that will be replaced by a machine in my lifetime.  I'd like to be able to master the machinery before it becomes my master.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 17, 2015, 05:05:40 AM

;b;

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 17, 2015, 05:26:58 AM

So to start, anyone know any simple to program games that may teach fundamentals?

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 24, 2015, 02:13:14 AM

So I've been messing around at work with excel (because you can program in it and they pay me to get better at excel).  I created a monster fighting game, pretty basic really, program generates 3 random numbers for each monster and the one who wins 2/3 wins the fight.  (and as I'm typing this I have no idea what happens in case of a tie...)  I also set variables so I could 'level up' the monsters so Monster A wins I'd improve his strength by one giving him a random number between 1-20 +1.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 24, 2015, 02:37:23 AM

Post in Other Games - you can upload here: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads)

I'm serious.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 24, 2015, 02:39:41 AM

I will, my 'program' is at work though lol. 

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 24, 2015, 02:40:16 AM

:D

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 25, 2015, 05:06:34 AM

Here's my timekiller at work.  Monster B wins ties...

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 28, 2015, 05:52:54 PM

Doing Khanacademy's JS summer of scripting.  Through variables so far.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 02:49:51 AM

Any progress to report?

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on July 08, 2015, 03:14:59 AM

Alcohol consumption at an all time high, this is how America won the revolution... also my forum game idea appears to have not played out as hoped.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 03:19:05 AM

neatothing.xls?  It's been downloaded six times.  Maybe some screenshots would help get it into more hands?

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on July 08, 2015, 03:20:53 AM

Yeah I had this whole forum game planned out for that too, just wanted to make things a bit better but that's what I was fiddling about with at work.  Wound up turning it into something that sorta measures productivity, but I can use it here to do monster battles if y'all want.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 08, 2015, 03:29:31 AM

Quote from: Metaliturtle on July 08, 2015, 03:14:59 AM

Alcohol consumption at an all time high, this is how America won the revolution...

Well, the American Revolution lacked a Nude Beach.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on July 08, 2015, 03:32:39 AM

Quote from: Rusty Edge on July 08, 2015, 03:29:31 AM

Quote from: Metaliturtle on July 08, 2015, 03:14:59 AM

Alcohol consumption at an all time high, this is how America won the revolution...

Well, the American Revolution lacked a Nude Beach.

And so do I sir.  'Murica.

Anyway if anyone's interested in testing a couple things let me know I'll set up a thread.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 03:42:24 AM

I am a crap beta tester, because when I'm in the mood to do it at all, I stay too busy - but I would love to see this happen.

(You should check your Skype for an explanation of something, if not to talk...)

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on July 08, 2015, 03:56:26 AM

Don't have skype on this machine

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 03:58:09 AM

Ah.  Paranoia never there when I need it, but bites my butt when I don't.

There's a game idea...

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on July 08, 2015, 03:59:38 AM

I'm confused but I like the idea of a game where the object is to figure out who is out to get you and you have to create arguments as to why...

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 04:11:13 AM

Yeah.  That's actually a million-dollar game idea if you can make it work...

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on July 08, 2015, 04:38:26 AM

The secret is a lot of procedurally generated stuff, and a very rare 'win' condition.  We should summon Dale

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 04:49:34 AM

Summon Dale.

He might actually take an interest and remember who his buddies are...

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 08, 2015, 04:52:18 AM

Interesting. So is this a multi-player game with a randomly assigned "it"?

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Metaliturtle on July 08, 2015, 04:53:26 AM

It's not really playable yet so much as a monster v monster sim.  I could use it as a tool to put together a forum-type game though with minimal effort on my part (as long as there's participation from players)

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 08, 2015, 04:57:25 AM

Or perhaps  a single player game filled with potential enemies...

housecats
decepticons
neighbors
mold in the bathroom
vitamins made in China
employers

One of them really is going to kill you... one way or another.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Dale on July 08, 2015, 10:15:27 AM

Summoned.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 12:59:15 PM

Quote from: BUncle on July 08, 2015, 03:58:09 AM

Ah.  Paranoia never there when I need it, but bites my butt when I don't.

There's a game idea...

Quote from: Metaliturtle on July 08, 2015, 03:59:38 AM

I'm confused but I like the idea of a game where the object is to figure out who is out to get you and you have to create arguments as to why...

Quote from: BUncle on July 08, 2015, 04:11:13 AM

Yeah.  That's actually a million-dollar game idea if you can make it work...

Quote from: Metaliturtle on July 08, 2015, 04:38:26 AM

The secret is a lot of procedurally generated stuff, and a very rare 'win' condition.  We should summon Dale

?

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Dale on July 08, 2015, 01:18:45 PM

You are talking about the table top rpg called Paranoia.

Still popular a new version was successfully funded on kickstarter last year.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 01:26:56 PM

Pity the obvious title's taken, but no surprise.  I did figure it sounded like a text-heavy RPG a-la Orient Express from the late 90s, IIRC.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Dale on July 08, 2015, 01:34:06 PM

That type of game would probably work best in the Thief fps style. Or if party based it could open up the eternity engine style.

Title: Re: So I've been trying to get into programming
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 01:37:38 PM

I wouldn't think party-based would be right for this concept...