Which would be better?

Gatapi · 04-19-2009, 07:43 PM

Which one would be better for learning how to code (using C#)? Watching countless, boring youtube videos, but getting a lot of different ideas from it, or finding someone who would be willing to teach me through the summer? How did people even figure out how to code the games? Is there a *shudder* instruction manual?

SilentWalrus · 04-19-2009, 07:46 PM

Most people will tell you they learned to code because of the internet.
But, if you want, you can get a book from a book store. Or, if you're still in school take a class at school. If you're not in school anymore, go to your local community college and take it there.

Tiptup300 · 04-19-2009, 08:17 PM

...C# Book?

Jorvette · 04-19-2009, 11:44 PM

A book, (chances are one with pics would be better.)

zunemonger · 04-20-2009, 09:09 AM

i know for a fact there is a c# for dummies book

gbabey · 04-21-2009, 11:24 AM

I'd recommend throwing out the notion of writing a zune game until you first learn some fundamentals of C#. Once you understand writing code in C# you can learn the XNA framework and start writing zune games. You've got a long (but enjoyable) road to that point.

I think most programmers here can't point you to a single thing that taught us how to "code the games". Its an ongoing process of continuous learning.

The web is a great resource for tutorials, but the problem is it is very difficult to find a gradual learning curve. You can find good information on various topics but with little structure tying them together making it difficult to learn from. Therefore I'd second the notion of finding a book or person to teach you.

As far as book recommendations, for someone with no programming knowledge I think the Head First series is quite well done. Lots of pictures and silly antidotes to keep the you entertained. The only downside are the poor reviews saying there are too many errors in the book. I'm not sure if there is an updated revision that fixes these errors.

(edit: After looking at the errata on oreilly's website it seems the errors have been fixed after "September 15, 2008 reprinting". So I'd recommend the book as long as you get a later printing. Or check out your library and see if it matches your learning style)

Here at amazon

xCyberFang · 06-23-2009, 06:43 AM

The way i learned how to code was actually just downloading alot of games from zuneboards, and working around with the coding. i first edited variable strings and stuff, then i went to working with if functions and whatnot, then slowly progressed from there on.

Bolt · 06-23-2009, 07:02 AM

Check the dates next time, x

I'll leave this open, because it can still help others.

Berty · 06-23-2009, 07:22 AM

I first started with this XNA Creators Club Online - getting started

and i just followed him step by step.

after that i just played around with it changing that game around for practice (put my moms head as the space ships)

then i jumped right into making my own guitar tuner always refering back to the reliable
XNA Game Studio 3.0

thats how i learned the basics and how i am learning the more advanced coding (actually what im doing at this very second with multi-threading)

i think all of that was fairly quick, simple and easy to learn