   Is programming... not my thing?
  I am beginning to thing maybe programming isn't my thing... I have learned C++, C#, basic Java, VB, Delphi and then dabbled in PHP, MySQL, Python, DarkBasic, and others... I have a good grasp on most of the syntax, but I still can't manage to make anything any good... I did make a guess my number game, but that isn't good enough... I have tryed and tryed again to learn DX in C++, and eventually... decided maybe something else, so I drew some triangles in OpenGL (using GLUT) and then got sick of that, so I tryed learning DX under VB... big mistake... got no where.. (although I kinda wanna learn it in VB).... So i decided to come to you... my plan is to eventually, one day make a Game Maker-esque program... but I am not getting anywhere on that hope...Thanks for inspiration or whatever you have to offer ideas-wise   ;'(   It's Maxd Gaming, put in an underscore and I will beat you with a rubber ducky! { My Site! - Banner } { My Site! - One time popup }{ My .Net Information  }{ A upcoming space RTS codenamed Gruntacktica . }{ . }Not following the new trend:Looky here mommy! No cow pic!Phoe's Forums[edited by - Maxd Gaming on February 4, 2004 9:24:01 PM] 
  Start simple, and stick with one language/API   ;  I would say what cowsarenotevil says. Not only that, but you should at least THINK you can do it. But also, don''t try to jump straight into a project. I read somewhere (an article on a programming website) about that. I used to jump right into something, without a simple documentation or anything. Doing that (documentation, etc.) really helps you know what you''re going to do. Otherwise, you''re just programming what comes to mind for performing an action you would like you program to accomplish. With a documentation, you can figure out the quickest way to do something, without a WHOLE lot of code.Hope this advice helps,Matt U. ;  My first project (and second, third, and current) was (is) a MUD -- multi user dungeon. Think "online text adventure". Requires two or three multithreading tutorials or posts and Beej's Guide to Network Programming. That is, sockets. Also, look up some telnet stuff so you can add color and recognize any special codes a program decides to send to your server proggie. And if what your real problem is is ideas, I'm sure you have a friend who's always like, "you know, this would be better if they had done this and this and this with this" or a nerdy one who likes to read a lot -- aka, idea mongers Oh, and that whole planning step is important like they said.And to keep yourself interested, occasionally implement a looks-good-has-no-use feature. Like, a big morale + interest booster on my MUD was the implementation of a title screen with color  I'm sure things like music and cool sfx would have the same effect.   "Is that a snow-globe in your fire blanket,or are you just stark naked?"  --RavenBlack Surrealism   [edited by - MarauderIIC on February 4, 2004 9:38:06 PM];  I am sure everyone feels that way at one time or another, specially when you don''t seem to be able to solve a problem, or when you see what other people is doing (which may or may not be cool as your stuff, but you are already pretty bored about yours), the question is, do you enjoy programming even if you get frustrated sometimes? can you see yourself making a living out of this? would you want to?practice makes perfect, keep locking your computer to the point that you have to reboot every 5 minutes, some day, it wouldn''t have to be so often  ;quote:Original post by Kwizatz   I am sure everyone feels that way at one time or another, specially when you don't seem to be able to solve a problem, or when you see what other people is doing (which may or may not be cool as your stuff, but you are already pretty bored about yours), the question is, do you enjoy programming even if you get frustrated sometimes? can you see yourself making a living out of this? would you want to?Yes, I enjoy it... but it is frustrating Yes, I see my self doing it as a job one day, and would love too.quote:practice makes perfect, keep locking your computer to the point that you have to reboot every 5 minutes, some day, it wouldn't have to be so often  and filling up your hard drive with useless examples and tutorials quote:Start simple, and stick with one language/API The only reason I kept changing is cause I figured I just wasn't getting it... I know C++ the best, but the languages arent the problem it is the damned API's they are all so difficult to learn  It's Maxd Gaming, put in an underscore and I will beat you with a rubber ducky! { My Site! - Banner } { My Site! - One time popup }{ My .Net Information  }{ A upcoming space RTS codenamed Gruntacktica . }{ . }Not following the new trend:Looky here mommy! No cow pic!   Phoe's Forums   [edited by - Maxd Gaming on February 4, 2004 10:08:29 PM];quote:Original post by maxd gaming   The only reason I kept changing is cause I figured I just wasn't getting it... I know C++ the best, but the languages arent the problem it is the damned API's they are all so difficult to learnWell, there's your answer, sir. Stick to C++ and concentrate on something easy for an API. Maybe just getting a window up if that's where you are and learn the ins and outs of that code before moving on. Or better yet work on a single player text game. With what you'll learn from that coming back to basic win32 shouldn't seem as daunting. Don't be afraid to ask someone questions if you need to, here especially, and just really stick to it. After you've worked through the jungle of the win32 API, you'll probably start finding others not as difficult in the long run. It can be very frustrating at first but once you've done that and learned how to properly learn you'll have a different perspective on programming.   [edited by - Woodsman on February 4, 2004 10:25:29 PM];  My advice is forget the API´s for now. Pick tricks of the 3d game programming gurus and have a blast. Implement all the demos, try new things, and eventualy make some 3d demos with the 3d engine using the 3d software renderer. THEN try to learn Direct3D and OpenGL and you´ll be up for a surprise.;quote:Original post by maxd gaming  and filling up your hard drive with useless examples and tutorials They are only useless if you don''t read them. Like cow said stick to ONE API!Go to India, do some yoga and meditation thing, and consult Indian monks which API to pick, which API do you feel most. And stick with that and only. AIDS will come and get you if you use multiple APIs, and suddenly you feel weak, unable to use any APIs.Then, set your mind, start a game with something simple. However something simple doesn''t simple. Simple is hard, hard is simple, you need to ask Siddharta Gautama himself for advice on this one. Even simplest thing requires the greatest work. Be persistent, don''t get tempted with the new uber ShaderX3 because the butterfly girl is so pretty. Virtual girls are evil.Most importantly, plan before you do anything else. I just did a terrible mistake because I didn''t plan before where I knew I should have had. Plan is everything. Don''t sit on your computer 24 hour a day coding. Plan, know what should do next, code. Finish that, back to plan, code again, rinse and repeat.I give you a level 2 GOOD LUCK. ;quote:Original post by maxd gaming  The only reason I kept changing is cause I figured I just wasn''t getting it... I know C++ the best, but the languages arent the problem it is the damned API''s they are all so difficult to learnI suspect you might not read the whole documentations. Every API is confusing at first, but if you keep working on it, everything will become clear and you can see the nirvana. 