Hi guys

Sorry to come with this naive question, but I've been reading books and stuff and this question just keeps swarming in my cabeza.

Somewhere, I am having the genuine opportunity of learning C++ thorougly and there is more or less the opportunity of taking Java along. However, I'm totally lost on just where Java is used and if this is actually "attractive" whenever applying for a job in the game industry.

I understand that C++ alone is a big one, yet it is the foundation for getting into the programming world. I'm just lost with what Java can do.

Is it just "yet another software development tool/language" or also a mere essential piece of know-how?

Thanks

 

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portable and potent can almost run on any platform, easy to learn with any c/c++ experience as the syntax is identical. I could be wrong however that is my understanding of it

 

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I'd say learning them both will give you an idea of the pros and cons of using a managed/unmanaged languaged (in terms of memory) as well as the pros and cons of using JIT (just-in-time compilation). Heck, you can even see the pros and cons of single vs. multiple inheritance.

Really when it comes down to it the hardest thing to do is create good architectures/designs. While knowing the specifics of a language might be useful the architecture is the important part. Is your design scalable, maintainable, re-usable? Languages are simple to switch between in general (although the dark details may not be).

I know many people who can be a code monkey and in general hate them working on my projects if the design for something is being done on the fly. You have to micro-manage what they are doing otherwise you are going to end up with a terrible terrible design.

^^ So true.

Off the top of my head I would say web based stuff or maybe some of the Java ME. It is also generally easier to port. So could run it on many devices faster or with less number of device testing. Easier coding and light games performance would be fine.

I could not see someone doing it for a fully 3d game of battlefield quality or something. I know there was a port of Quake2 somewhere to java.

 

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AMEN on learning design theory. The language itself is moot, although you are right, C++ tends to be the starting place for most that go through formal education.

I'm not a huge java fan personally, but then again, while I know my fair share of C++, I tend to use web languages on a regular basis given I work for a cloud provider.

What are games generally programmed in (I honestly don't know - Google)? Learn those languages if that is what you wish to do.

 

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thanks a lot

Yeah, been doing some research.
Sounds like Minecraft was also done in java. (and I haven't even played it yet )

Not like I'm going to become some uberprogrammer, but like many throughout the globe, was just wondering.

Anyhow, it looks like I will focus on C++ mainly first, then snoop on Java, then the html stuff like PHP/Javascript etc.

Long road but sounds like fun.

 

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