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[BrandonQ]

Ok so I am back with another post. I want to start making games in Java (because java is so awesome and shit with its working on everything face). But I need help. Where should I start, how should I learn and what are some great sites with tutorials. I have found a few and I understand the basic concepts of objects and classes in Java. Thanks in advance. If you don't think Java is the way to go let me know, tell me what is. :D

[Mikademus]

First of all, Java itself isn't a very awesome language and it will not run equally everywhere without sometimes severe adjustments. However, the JVM is a cool piece of work and other languages compiling to bytecode for it are better, such as Scala. Look into that before committing to the modern COBOL.

[BrandonQ]

Thank you but... what is Scala and COBOL and bytecode. I am very new to this whole thing.

[baneofloki]

Don't listen to the naysayers, stick with Java until you are comfortable with programming, then worry about other languages. Anyway, here's are some resources you may find useful:

Tutorials:
http://zetcode.com/tutorials/javagamestutorial/

http://www.gametutorial.net/

Slick 2D
This game library has a good set of tutorials:
http://slick.cokeandcode.com/wiki/doku.php

[Average Software]

before committing to the modern COBOL.

COBOL 2002 is the modern COBOL.  Java has to get in line.

[Serapth]

Java specific books, tutorials, tools and library suggestions for game developers.  There should be enough information there to get you started with Java 2D game programming.


Scala is a language built on top of Java, sorta.  In that you can run Java source code in Scala ( like you can run most C code in C++ ) and Scala code can run in the JavaVM.  It adds functional programming, dynamic types and other features on top of what Java can already do.  In essence, Scale brings Java up to parity with C#.

That said, it also adds a level of complexity ( materials are much more scarce ) that a new developer doesn't need.

[Geeze]

In that you can run Java source code in Scala ( like you can run most C code in C++ ) and Scala code can run in the JavaVM.  It adds functional programming, dynamic types and other features on top of what Java can already do.  In essence, Scale brings Java up to parity withw C#.

I'd say word source is wrong here. Scala can use all the classes java can and classes written in Java.

Also, language feats is not that good reason. You could type almost the same code in C# for example, which has more features(i think?). Jvm just is so useful.
But anyway, Java is a good choice for starters. And most of those programming skills translate to other languages.

[Mikademus]

I disagree. Java is a bad language for learners and especially for learning game coding because it teaches you bad habits, for instance by making you unaware of resource management. When someone is critical of Java there will always be very loud and vocal defenders popping up, so it is hard to have an objective and non-passionate discussion on the topic.

If you are a total beginner perhaps you should check out the Programming Languages and Compilers thread where there are many suggestions of newbie-friendly languages geared specifically for games. Also, in the tutorials forum there are good threads dedicated to learning game developments, and threads for particular languages.

[BrandonQ]

Thank you for all the replies, I have taken everything into consideration. I will be spending some time looking at those links and going to the <em>Languages and Compilers</em> topic.

[Chromanoid]

I disagree with Mikademus. If you have a good book or so Java is a nice language to begin with. There are many free resources for learning Java. Maybe this book is interesting for you: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/9780596004651.do You should visit http://java-gaming.org for dedicated java gaming questions.

If you can speak German and need basic knowledge this might interest you http://www.programmierkurs-java.de/ There should be similar stuff in English. The course uses a microworld for teaching Java (a hamster you can move via programs, similar to the classic turtle). I think this is a good way to learn programming languages.

If you are open for other stuff you might want to look at http://flixel.org , http://www.flashpunk.net and http://www.starling-framework.org/ (AS3/Flash stuff).

[Mikademus]

If you can speak German and need basic knowledge this might interest you http://www.programmierkurs-java.de/ There should be similar stuff in English. The course uses a microworld for teaching Java (a hamster you can move via programs, similar to the classic turtle). I think this is a good way to learn programming languages.

There are a number of projects like this. One I know is used by quite a few universities is Alice，which uses its own language though (not Java). I've tried it and it is a good and pedagogical introduction to object oriented programming in a visual 3D world with very transferable skills learned.

[Serapth]

and pedagogical introduction

What are, words that sound dirtier than they are, Alex?


I tend to recommend against Java too, but mostly because the eco-system is horrible.  Everything is just way overengineered, that you have to spend so damned much time figuring that stuff out, it gets in the way of... you know, programming.

That, and Eclipse blows.

[rivon]

NetBeans too...

[Chromanoid]

is there something better for free? both are very nice IDEs. I even doubt that full commercial IDEs are much better. The WPF GUI Builder in VS is nice and VC++s modfiy and continue debugging (for c++) is a selling point. in java and other vm/jit languages this stuff is pretty much standard... gcc just doesnt provide this ability...
my favorite ide is netbeans, even for c++ stuff. it's a pity it doesnt support the vc++ compiler for easy directx development.

[InfiniteStateMachine]

I like netbeans but whenever I get a largish project (100+ code files and a fair amount of content) the IDE starts running slow on me.

Eclipse I can't stand from the little I've used it.