Best way to go about learning TorqueScript?
by Robert Hartley · in Torque 3D Beginner · 03/15/2011 (3:40 am) · 2 replies
Hi, I'm 14 and trying to get into game development i'm an artist and making a game (at least a fun one with new experiences) as far as i understand is going to need programming. I have next to no past programming experience (i regret not getting into it earlier) and now am looking to learn. I have searched the net, docs and 3rd party resources and haven't found much to help me, I've been through the official docs and still am making no progress. So i want to know how it is that the community started learning TorqueScript and or C++ any tutorials, books videos best ways to go about learning a programming language would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob.
P.S Ive been reading a C++ programming tutorial and i understand what most of the syntax means, just not how to put it together, like knowing what all the words in the English language but not being able to use them for anything 'cause you don't know how a sentence is structured. (Thats my main problem i think i've confused myself with how i think a program should be set out)
Thanks,
Rob.
P.S Ive been reading a C++ programming tutorial and i understand what most of the syntax means, just not how to put it together, like knowing what all the words in the English language but not being able to use them for anything 'cause you don't know how a sentence is structured. (Thats my main problem i think i've confused myself with how i think a program should be set out)
#2
This is how I learn any programming language or decide to implement a new feature. When I apply this practice, I'm never blocked from learning. Here are some examples:
Implementing Game Center in iTorque 2D
1. Read - Read through the documentation provided by Apple on their developer site. Find out the purpose of the feature and how they want it integrated. Also read through our forums to find out how our developers want to use it.
2. Read Code - Read through the sample API reference provided by Apple, then read through any example implementations others have posted.
3. Code - Start by creating a blank iPhone project and try to integrate Game Center. If that works, move over to the iTorque 2D engine and port the code.
Learning TorqueScript
1. Read - Read through the TorqueScript Introduction. This doc talks about why the language exists and why you would want to use it. Find other books or tutorials about TorqueScript and read those.
2. Read Code - Read through the Simple Examples in the official documentation. Read the code in the example projects that ship with the game. Looks in the forums and resource section to see what other people are creating with TorqueScript.
There are other tutorials that are very code heavy that are excellent examples, like Steve's Simple FPS Tutorial which are highly recommended.
3. Code - Start by trying to code out each example in the Simple section of the documentation. Then move on to the more advanced examples and try to implement those. If you want to try something more difficult, find a resource on our site that looks interesting and try to integrate it in your test project. Finally, start coding your own game/prototype using an original idea.
There are many approaches to learning a language. A lot of people skip over the documentation and read through examples. The more adventurous developers just open up an editor and start writing code, learning by trial and errors. There is no right way, so my method is not the end all. However, it has never failed me =)
03/15/2011 (8:06 am)
I have a mantra, which you probably saw in the TorqueScript documentation:Quote:Read. Read Code. Code
This is how I learn any programming language or decide to implement a new feature. When I apply this practice, I'm never blocked from learning. Here are some examples:
Implementing Game Center in iTorque 2D
1. Read - Read through the documentation provided by Apple on their developer site. Find out the purpose of the feature and how they want it integrated. Also read through our forums to find out how our developers want to use it.
2. Read Code - Read through the sample API reference provided by Apple, then read through any example implementations others have posted.
3. Code - Start by creating a blank iPhone project and try to integrate Game Center. If that works, move over to the iTorque 2D engine and port the code.
Learning TorqueScript
1. Read - Read through the TorqueScript Introduction. This doc talks about why the language exists and why you would want to use it. Find other books or tutorials about TorqueScript and read those.
2. Read Code - Read through the Simple Examples in the official documentation. Read the code in the example projects that ship with the game. Looks in the forums and resource section to see what other people are creating with TorqueScript.
There are other tutorials that are very code heavy that are excellent examples, like Steve's Simple FPS Tutorial which are highly recommended.
3. Code - Start by trying to code out each example in the Simple section of the documentation. Then move on to the more advanced examples and try to implement those. If you want to try something more difficult, find a resource on our site that looks interesting and try to integrate it in your test project. Finally, start coding your own game/prototype using an original idea.
There are many approaches to learning a language. A lot of people skip over the documentation and read through examples. The more adventurous developers just open up an editor and start writing code, learning by trial and errors. There is no right way, so my method is not the end all. However, it has never failed me =)
Associate Steve Acaster
[YorkshireRifles.com]
It might also be helpful to read through the "Simple FPS Tutorial" in TDN (support->documentation-> find the TDN link on the page -> click log in).