Game Development Community

DarkBasic vurses C++

by Michael Merrill · in Technical Issues · 10/13/2002 (9:37 am) · 5 replies

Hello, I am a complete newbie to programming. Ive read a bunch of articles and things though. I am currently taking an intro class at ITT also. I am wondering, if any experienced people would aid me in contrasting DarkBasic and Visual C++ for games developement?

I have read many of times that Visual Basic is completely in adaquet for games developement, due to games being real time and basic being event driven, however DarkBasic seems to have come up with a solution.

And I know C++ is the standard and alot more powerful for real time applications. However if DarkBasic is still good enough to use, it really does seam a whole lot easier. Any help in making the discission of which one to learn would be great. Thanks in advance

Michael
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Associate Tim Newell
Max Gaming Technologies
#1
10/13/2002 (11:17 am)
Well first off Dark Basic is a language and Visual C++ is technically an IDE. But I assume you mean Dark Basic vs. C++. Dark Basic is a simple language as it was based off of BASIC. Therefore it will be easier to get something going in it. But for ease of use you loose power. C++ is harder but its also much more powerful. I looked through the gallery on the Dark Basic website and I saw maybe 3 visually ok games. If your looking for Graphics appeal or speed (as Dark basic will be slower than C++) then you should try for C++. If your looking to make a simple fun little game and don't mind using basic then Id say use Dark Basic.

-Tim aka Spock

Torque Owner Mike Stoddart
#2
10/13/2002 (11:30 am)
If you're intent on Basic, have you looked at www.blitzbasic.com?

Associate Kyle Carter
#3
10/13/2002 (12:35 pm)
If you want to pursue a programming career, knowing C++ will pay off, too... If you know C++, you can pick up C, Java, PHP, and a lot of other languages pretty quickly, which will make employers happy. Basic (and variants) won't impress them as much unless they want you to write them an app in VB (such as a database front-end).

If you're just a hobbyist, and doing this for fun, then choose whatever appeals to you. C++ does have a learning curve; Basic's isn't nearly as steep. You won't get as impressive results with basic, but on the other hand, you'll get _something_.

Michael Merrill
#4
10/13/2002 (8:23 pm)
Thanks for all the input. If I learn the language, it would be for hobby, but I am trying to think ahead for the other members of the team I will be putting together for the game I am currently designing. I am actually an artist, that is just trying to get a grip on all this technical stuff so I dont go off the deap end when creating the design.

Im learning a little Basic in school, but am not pursueing programming as a career, it is just a class that I had to take.

Im thinking C++ is what we will probably use. Allthough I got to admit, I kind of liked DarkBasic and was thinking maybe then I could aid and kind of oversee the programming of the game as well.....oh well, I guess Ill have to get a lead programmer or learn some c++.

Thanks again, Michael

Torque Owner Jarrod Roberson
#5
10/14/2002 (7:24 pm)
DarkBasic is NOTHING like Visual Basic.

VisualBasic is a windows only solution for hacking together database front ends and not much else, regardless to what any marketing materials say. It is good for creating business applications with little understanding or desire to know about how a computer works or sofware should be developed properly.

DarkBasic is a GREAT platform for learning about multimedia programming, graphics sound animation and not having to fight all the esoteric overhead of something like C or C++ if you don't know anything about programming.

If you want to try and get a job in the game industry you pretty much HAVE to know C++ and maybe some ASM but less and less each year.