Do I need to learn C++?

#1 You do not have to learn C++ to learn TorqueScript.

However, to get the most out of the engine, I would recommend learning C++.

#2 I see! So I would need to learn C++ if I wanted to get the most out of what I can do? I'm guessing I wouldn't need to learn much, just the basics? I'm willing to learn it, but it would be a bonus if I didn't.

#3 "So I would need to learn C++ if I wanted to get the most out of what I can do?"

Yes.

"I'm guessing I wouldn't need to learn much, just the basics?"

Well, while you might be able to make do with just the basics. Torque is a rather complex engine and its source code can scare even experienced c++ programmers.

"I'm willing to learn it, but it would be a bonus if I didn't."

I would recommend learning everything you can. I feel that the best game designers are those who embrace learning new things.

#4 Ben Versaw: Thank you very much, I am now sure that I will be getting the 2D engine first to start in TorqueScript. Are there any books that you recommend I read for using C++?

#5 I quite like Prata's ANSI C++ Primer Plus and Horton's Beginning C++. Both are rather huge volumes, but do a great job for new initiates to the language.

#6 I was sort of wondering about this too, so I searched for those books you mentioned on Amazon. It came up with a couple for Horton's Beginning C++, which is the right one?
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Horton%27s+Beginning+C%2B%2B&x=0&y=0

Thanks in advance, if you feel like answering my questions yet again.

Edit: How easy would it be for a dedicated, computer savvy 14 year old to learn C++? (lol)

#7 "How easy would it be for a dedicated, computer savvy 14 year old to learn C++? (lol)"

Easy. I was making games before I entered high school - even made some money with my programming skills in c++. Age does not magically make anyone smarter ;)

#8 Man I just checked out Horton's Beginning C++ on Amazon.. and bought it for $4.03.. shipping included! It's used, but Ill take it in any condition for four bucks. I mean, 900+ pages, for four bucks!! I'm still shocked. I am already fairly proficient in C++, but you can never have too many programming books! OK, enough exclamations..

@Fredulus, I would say 14 is a great time to start learning programming. If you have a passion for making things, programming can be a lot of fun and very creative. It's like having the lego set you always wanted. Oh and the book you want is the first one on the link you provided, the one for $0.02.

I would recommend working with a more basic compiler such as Dev C++ at first, then move on to the apps like Visual C++ 2008 Express (Also free). The reason is that the visual series tends cut back on the learning experience. When you're writing all of your own code, you'll understand why you're actually writing it.

Visual C++ is a lot fun though and extremely quick at building or prototyping apps. Plus, you can't really build Torque on Dev C++.. Ah, the conundrum!

#9 Unfortunate, if you dont expect to be using C++ at first, just go for the Binary version of TGB (Which doesnt include the C++ Source), and if you feel the need, upgrade to the full version with the source (At a reduced price).

#10 @ J.P. Berry: Thanks for telling me which book! I won't be able to use Dev C++ or anything, though, I'm on Mac. XCode it is!

@ Ben Ewing: Too late, lol, I have TGE. Maybe I'll buy TGB, too, when I get my next paycheck XD .

#11 You need to learn C++. Not all of it though. Just learn about the parts that you want to implement. There are certain aspects to any language that all of these C-derivatives share. Common things like if/then and defining functions and passing variables and parameters are standard to them all. It really is actually quite easy to learn programming. It's very logical. Don't be afraid of it even for a second, i belive anybody can learn it quite thoroughly. I myself come from a background in Lingo and Action Script, which is also based on the C language and I learned all of the fundamentals in an object oriented environment, so I got good feedback. TorqueScript is relatively the same and isn't hard at all to grasp.

Start here, this guy has some good basics about most of the aspects of working in torque, including basic scripting that gets you started with simple things. That's key, start with the simple things first. Just figuring out how to write to the console is probably where we all started, and it's a huge eye-opener.

http://www.davidjsushil.com/ogd/torqueprimer.pdf