   How to stay focus??
  You see I began learning my first programming language six months ago.Is hard for me to stay focus in this , I know I like it and this is what I would love to do(for games) but is to hard I dont have no one to talk to that programs.What did you do to learn??What is your programming language you use? How much time it took you to learn it? How much time it took to learn a API?Did you have the same problem? if yes, how did you solve it??How can I learn without books? I prefer someone that teaches me but I doubt here where I live are any programmers.Thanks   
  Everyday, I would play a video game, and I would tell my self: "I want to make a game just like this", "How was this made?", "What is going on in the code that makes this happen". I would use these thoughts and questions to inspire me to learn more, and it works. It's all about self motivation; if you want something, you have to convince yourself that you want it.I started out trying to teach myself pascal (don't ask me why I chose this language, but I did; and I don't recommend others start this way ;] ).After playing with pascal for a short amount of time, I began to realize how things actually worked inside of a video game (and a computer in general), and that drove me to learn more. So, I abandoned Pascal and took up C++. Man, what a boatload at first LOL! After buying a few books I finally started to grasp it, and it became easier to understand.Later, I started playing with SDL, familiarizing myself with simple things, such as the game loop. All the while, I read and read and READ more about C++, about game design, everything I could get my hands on about making games.That was a few years ago, and now I've been working on creating a FPS using the Irrlicht Engine, and everything has been going well (other than creating models and other graphics, I'm horrible at anything involving art).Programming is very demanding, and often frustrating. To get through those times, play some games. Use those games to inspire you to work towards your goal. I definitely have to recommend you buy at least one book, or at the very least get one from a library. Books are invaluable learning resources, and the investment is well worth it. Online tutorials and the such just don't cut it.PS: Also, my high school offers 3 different programming coarses (VB, C# and Java), so I guess I was lucky there. I only took the VB coarse though.   ;  I bought some books but is hard to concentrate in reading the books. I am only 13 years so theres no programming school. Is only in university.   ;  I started with C++, and worked with that for about 3 months, then moved on to learn C# (not learn, but just enough to get started in game programmg. So whichever language you use, don't take a shortcut by learning the bare minimum like I did, it only makes it harder in the long run). I'm now working with XNA, playing around with loading objects, textures, and the like. It's taken me a year and a half to get this far, and even though that may seem like a long time, I stick with it because I know once I get finished learning (well, we never actually do finish learning), I'll be able to make a game that people will enjoy.If you're having trouble learning, you can always try video tutorials. Just google it and you're sure to find some.   ;  Do things in small steps and remind yourself of your successes. The steps will get larger over time.;  Where do you live?Well i went to college to learn programming and i had the same problem. i needed to be taught rather then read from a book. but now im getting used to teaching myself from a book (mainly so i can beat a rival of mine at college) my motivation for reading the book and going through the boring bits was so that i could beat my rival and make kick arse games! im still not quite making kick arse yet but ive done stuff that im really proud of, and i have beaten my rival nearly everytime in games programming so far!!I started learning C++ 2 years ago in college, which i picked up pretty quickly, at the time i was programming in borland which is a pretty easy compliler to use, visual programs are quite nice and easy to start doing at first but its a good idea to start with simple command line programs, i had a good "teach yourself C++" book from the libary, it was only small but covered the basic building blocks, if, for,while,classes etc etc. i didnt get it all at first but it was definately helpful! then in my second year i started learning OpenGL in my own time using my openGL book and other resources(see below). but i wouldnt say i have learnt OpenGL or C++ for that matter, im still learning new things every day and that is the gift and the curse of being a programmer, there will always be new things to learn, there will always be advances in technology that you have to read up on and stuff like that, but for now dont worry about that and concentrate on the basic stuff.i would say the best way to get focused is to have a goal, if you have a book, get through all the pages till you get to that cool chapter on explostions(dont just skip cause you wont be at the right level), on tutorial sites apply the smae logic. when your ready set a deadline to complete a certain game, maybe set a deadline to complete a certain chapter, this is best when you do have a rival or  are just plain showing off! in short try and set yourself targets and push yourself to get them, and try and find something that will motivate you when you really cba! caffine is good!but i do get the problem of not getting to speak to people about programming, especially now during the holidays, my college friends dont really want to be reminded of programming and my other friends would be bored to death my girlfriend especially hates it! but i use these forums to get my help, or refer to my book which i would definately reccomend, "ISBN 0-7615-3330-3" is a book entitled "OPENGL GAMES PROGRAMMING" but i dont think you can by the same one anymore, its by kevin hawkins and dave astel, i think there is a different one out now but im not sure. another great resource is:http://nehe.gamedev.net/and of course these forums!ood Luck! :-)   ;  Self taught programming is hard when you're just beginning. I tried it when I was your age with more or less zero success. I was fortunate though to have the option to take a couple programming courses in high school. While what we were taught was pretty messed up, it's still way better to learn with your friends where you can share information and tips. I'd highly suggest asking your high school's councillor about any computer science courses (and trying to get a friend or two interested in taking it with you). If there truly is no course, then I guess just try to find the motivation to teach yourself.   ;  I would just like to say, I tried to learn programming for a very long time.I never was good or even average at it.  And then recently, I got sick and slept for two days straight... and after that, all this gibberish code made perfect sense.I'm spending hours looking at code and enjoying it.I don't know how long this will last, but I'm sure glad that I stuck through the hard parts... because it almost feels like programming is becoming my native language.My advice to you, If you want to be a programmer, keep at it!  It's not easy at first, but once you get there, it's a piece of cake.   ;Quote:You see I began learning my first programming language six months ago.That is great to hear![smile]Quote:Is hard for me to stay focus in this , I know I like it and this is what I would love to do(for games) but is to hard I dont have no one to talk to that programs.Programing can be very hard at times.This is why we try to make programming easier through layers of abstractions. That is, abstracting details that do not directly relate to the current problem, so that we can focus on a solution just for that problem, without worry of those details.Quote:What did you do to learn??Books and tutorials. (I am a self taught programmer.)I never started really learning anything useful, however, until I applied myself by writing software.I am to admit, however, that the first book that I bought has been considered obsolete for a while (I did not know it at the time.)What did I do to learn? Write code. Seriously. I sometimes wrote algorithms on paper first. Afterwords, I got my hands on a compilier, and started writing programs for it.Other then that, looked at software engineering, design patterns, OOD, and learn that almost everything you thought about good design was bad[smile]Almost everything one learns come through experience. Experience holds more meaning then reading does. Practice makes perfect.Quote:What is your programming language you use?C, C++, and x86 assembly.These are the primary languages I use. I have some experience with other languages (such as 6502 assembly, for example)Quote:How much time it took you to learn it? C++ was my first language, I am probably going to have to say about 6 months to get used to it, and programming in general.x86 Assembly language...well... thats a tough one. Learning its syntax and rules does not take to long. Although, that is the easy part.Remember that there is a difference between learning a language, and learning to program. Learning a language does not take too long; learning how to program can take a lifetime.Quote:How much time it took to learn a API?This depends on what you mean by "learn" here. Almost everyone has "learned" an API, but still needs to look up a class, structure, or routine from time to time.Quote:Did you have the same problem? if yes, how did you solve it??Just write software. Take it one step at a time. Learn what Incremental Development is, and practice it in your projects.It does not matter how good your code is when you are still learning. Getting it to work is far more important.In fact, just hard hack the code for your projects for now, if you need to.You stated you have been learning for 6 months. How much do you know? You may already have the knowledge to start getting into more complex stuff without realizing it.Quote:How can I learn without books? I prefer someone that teaches me but I doubt here where I live are any programmers.If you dont like books, you can also try ebooks (There are free ebooks on C++), and tutorials (Be careful here--there are good tutorials, and there are bad ones.)------------------I personally feel that you already have the knowledge, but have not attempted to apply any of it yet.Develop a small text game. Start off with the Hello, World! example, and add to it one little piece at a time.For motivation, think about the end result--and what you will achieve. (Notice I said "will" not "might".) Just be careful not to bite off more then you can chew.*looks at post*I got too much time on my hands right now...[grin]   ;  3dbuzz.com has numerous excellent video tutorials. I would recommend that you check them out.   