If I were to say that I were a quick learner and had a high level of understanding but a low level of math understanding... how long would you all assume it would take me to learn a decent amount of C++? What would be a good rate to study it at?
Um, not really sure how long... but if you are indeed quick at learning and have a high level of comprehension, math shouldn't really be a problem unless you are still working on basic mathematics. Though I'd say Algebra would be very helpful in this endeavor.You see, coding involves lots of variables. Say you wanted to create a program (for basic reference) that would show either Yes or No if an occurence is present or not. If you've heard of Boolean logic, this is actually a no-brainer. Say you have an if/then statement that goes something like this.If Health = 0
Then GameEnd = 1In this example, if the player reaches 0 health (note that those variables may be labeled differently in different engines), then it's game over for the player.That isn't Boolean logic, but it has some similarity to it. A Boolean line of code looks something like this.;Show Health Bar (Default is 1)
;Possible Values
;0
;1
bShowHealthHUD=1Also note here that depending on the engine, the variable (bShowHealthHUD) will be different. Also note the semi-colons in front of the first 4 lines of code. This ensures that these lines are not read, otherwise it could result in game instability.
If you have taken Algebra at all, you'd notice that variables are present throughout the course. For more complicated games, such as those commercial games for consoles, you'd also need to have some knowledge of more advanced mathematical procedures, which you won't really need if you decide to be a game designer.
However, Algebra is a complete must for any field involving computer technology.
Oh, and just so you know, I did cut out some code from the if/then statement. So it isn't as simple as stating If this, then that. It can end up stacking if/then statements depending on different values for a variable.
It would also include a Begin/End statement for that If/Then statement to occur.
Each script works with one another much like ants work to improve their anthills. Or like the internet itself, since it's basically run by a giant network of scripts. One incorrectly compiled script makes the entire project crumble, until the error is found and fixed. And if that fix interrupts another part of the script, you need to fix that too, and so on and so forth, until you have a program that is stable enough to play, with the occasional glitch. Even after that, most programmers try their best to optimize (meaning use less coding lines while still peforming as it was intended) the scripting so that it runs faster and achieves better results.
That's why I like programming so much. It is like improving yourself to perfection without actually reaching perfection. In other words, it simulates life. I also view a programmer as the computer improving version of a biogenetic engineer. You have the power to manipulate the genetic make-up of your guinea pig project. As you learn more about the traits of that project, you apply it to another project and see the effects those changes on that one.
... I'm ranting again.
I seem to think way too deeply sometimes.
But yeah, it doesn't take long to understand programming, just some patience reading it and making sure you understand what does what.
Let me tell you a secret though. Once you learn one language, it makes learning other programming languages that much easier, but just how much easier depends on what language you start with. C++ is the more professional and widely used language, but Python is far easier for a beginner. C# is somewhere in between. And depending on your way of thinking is, C++ or Python may be better for understanding future languages, or C# could be your gateway to other languages if you can adapt very well to change. When comparing C++ with Python, C++ is better for future professional work in programming, while Python is used to create apps for casual use. Python isn't useless as a language, but it isn't used in the industry, so only use Python if you aren't a serious programmer. C++ is more worthwhile a language in the industry, more structured, but isn't very easy to understand if you start there. C++ also has more functionality for programs.
And before you ask how I know this when I'm not too experienced with programming, it's because of research and intellectual discussions with other internet users. It's more fun than trolling, honestly. I like heated discussions as well, as long as no one goes off or a moderator/administrator cuts off the debate/argument.
