I "understand" scripting but I need advice to learn more
by Scott Turner · in General Discussion · 06/11/2005 (11:45 pm) · 4 replies
I am an artist, but I love math also. My first contact with any kind of code or scripting was html, then I learned actionscript, and now Im trying to learn torque script. But I have a problem, for example lets use torque to illustrate it.
I can understand code by looking at it, and I can apply my own ideas, and modified etc. I can use certain parts of here and there and create something "new" but my problem is dont know how to start from scratch. I know I may not be explaining myself. But for example. With torque I know how to load graphics to the game, load sounds, move my graphic with the keyboard, and "understand" how the collision works. I can learn by seeing code from someone else, but If I want to solve a particular problem I wouldnt know where to start. Now before you tell me that I might not have what it takes to be a programmer, let me say that I know, its possible, but at least I want to try. I have always loved math and I am very good solving problems, logical problems. But maybe there is something about coding that hasnt make "click" in my brain. I want to know, what would help me to better understand torque scripting and then c++. If there are books that you reccomend, then go on, I would get them.
Im interested in knowing how you personally learned, and any resources would be appreciatted. Im getting impatient having to wait for garagegames to release tutorials for torque 2d and personally I would like to learn to solve my own problems. mhhhhhhh................................................
maybe what Im looking is some words of inspiration, I dont know, anything !!! thanks!!!
I can understand code by looking at it, and I can apply my own ideas, and modified etc. I can use certain parts of here and there and create something "new" but my problem is dont know how to start from scratch. I know I may not be explaining myself. But for example. With torque I know how to load graphics to the game, load sounds, move my graphic with the keyboard, and "understand" how the collision works. I can learn by seeing code from someone else, but If I want to solve a particular problem I wouldnt know where to start. Now before you tell me that I might not have what it takes to be a programmer, let me say that I know, its possible, but at least I want to try. I have always loved math and I am very good solving problems, logical problems. But maybe there is something about coding that hasnt make "click" in my brain. I want to know, what would help me to better understand torque scripting and then c++. If there are books that you reccomend, then go on, I would get them.
Im interested in knowing how you personally learned, and any resources would be appreciatted. Im getting impatient having to wait for garagegames to release tutorials for torque 2d and personally I would like to learn to solve my own problems. mhhhhhhh................................................
maybe what Im looking is some words of inspiration, I dont know, anything !!! thanks!!!
#2
Start with natural aptitude, throw in a bit of training, and practice, practice, practice!
Guess which part takes the longest? ;)
Seriously...think about something you are good at already and then realize just how long it took you to get "good" at it.
06/12/2005 (12:37 am)
How do you learn to become a good artist? A good chef? A good accountant? A good dog walker?Start with natural aptitude, throw in a bit of training, and practice, practice, practice!
Guess which part takes the longest? ;)
Seriously...think about something you are good at already and then realize just how long it took you to get "good" at it.
#3
Look I have always admire programmers cuz they do stuff that I thought I wasnt born to understand. But little by little by gaining general computer knowledge I have understand more and more. Try to understand the feeling of a programmer with lack of artistic capabilities when trying to design their characters for their games. Im sure that there is people with both abilities, but generally is not the case. so if you understand this youll understand what I was feeling before.........Im just confusted, thats all.
06/12/2005 (12:53 am)
Maybe because I have always been surrounded by people related to arts, graphics etc it is more natural for me. I know practicing is the most important part, and Im going to keep practicing for sure. I just wanted to share with you my experience. Is it normal that at the begginning you dont know where to start solving a problem? ok heres a question for programmers. Do you learn by memory the ( i dont know their exact name, functions maybe? those predefined things whici you use for coding, I think its variables?) or has it become more of an intuitive process for you?Look I have always admire programmers cuz they do stuff that I thought I wasnt born to understand. But little by little by gaining general computer knowledge I have understand more and more. Try to understand the feeling of a programmer with lack of artistic capabilities when trying to design their characters for their games. Im sure that there is people with both abilities, but generally is not the case. so if you understand this youll understand what I was feeling before.........Im just confusted, thats all.
#4
http://www.paulgraham.com/index.html
particularly
http://www.paulgraham.com/hp.html
06/12/2005 (1:00 am)
You might find this guy's writing inspirational http://www.paulgraham.com/index.html
particularly
http://www.paulgraham.com/hp.html
Torque Owner Alex Rice
Default Studio Name
" I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggonit, people like me!"
Seriously, have you looked at the 3D Game Programming All in One book? It's based on Torque 1.3 and has lots of scripting examples (no C++ actually, all Torquescript)
Also there was a new resource posted on this site for debugging basics with torque. Understanding how to troubleshoot and debug is an important part to "solve a particular problem".
For me it goes something like this:
Try out an idea
Watch it crash and burn
debug it and tweak it
try it out a little differently
evaluate whether it's solved
[repeat until problem is solved]
Just another torque student
Alex