#32588 - sonicjam - Fri Dec 24, 2004 4:50 am
ok me and my friend want to learn gba development wich are the best tools and is ez to use for now until i get better and which coding is good for beginners like me.
p.s thanx
#32589 - DekuTree64 - Fri Dec 24, 2004 5:03 am
First things first, check the FAQ.
For compiling, I still use DevKitAdvance, but I hear DevKitARM is much better (and still being updated). For running games, I like VBA most of the time, and a flash cart or multiboot cable to test on hardware for timing-critical things and tweaking the feel of everything.
For getting down and dirty with code, MSVC++ 6 is my favorite. I've written quite a bit of code in good old notepad in the past though, it just doesn't have as many handy editing features and ease of switching around through bunches of files.
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#32590 - sonicjam - Fri Dec 24, 2004 5:28 am
lol which one do i need to download
#32595 - tepples - Fri Dec 24, 2004 6:44 am
What level of programming experience do you have?
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#32611 - blinky465 - Fri Dec 24, 2004 11:00 am
Others on the forum may disagree, but depending on your level of experience of coding/understanding of the gba hardware, you'd probably be as well using some libraries to add a layer of abstraction while you're learning.
For example, people new to programming find Visual Basic easier to understand than C, because the syntax is easier and the language does most of the work for you.
I've many years experience of programming but came to the gba scene only a few months ago. I found VisualHAM and the HEL libraries invaluable - provided you understand how to write a program, you can have something up and running on your console in a few hours!
If you've never written a computer program before, learning C might be a bit tough - try starting out with a simpler language such as VB which provides excellent debugging tools to help you learn all the quicker.
#32653 - sonicjam - Fri Dec 24, 2004 5:01 pm
ah none just html coding that why i ask which which coding will be good learner and beginner like me
#32674 - tepples - Fri Dec 24, 2004 10:34 pm
First of all, learn how to do sophisticated things in JavaScript. Then learn C on a PC. Then learn C with a graphics library on a PC. Only then should you try programming for a game console.
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#32690 - sonicjam - Sat Dec 25, 2004 1:55 am
but i want to make games for the gba
#32701 - LOst? - Sat Dec 25, 2004 4:46 am
| sonicjam wrote: |
| but i want to make games for the gba |
And that's a dream you have to live with for a few more years. What game do you want to produce anyway?
The GBA is best for tile based games such as puzzle and platform scrolling games. Both of these needs special math to give you the result you want.
#32751 - pyros - Sat Dec 25, 2004 8:12 pm
If you've little or no experience coding, then try using Dragon Basic to write GBA games. It sounds pretty good and must be MUCH easyer than learning c or assembler.
Only problem is, i think the site is down. Does anyone have more info, or a link to a download???
#32792 - yaustar - Mon Dec 27, 2004 11:19 pm
First learn to program in C 'console/dos' mode first which will allow to learn the basics of coding (for loops, while loops if/else statements etc)
Tutorials: http://www.gametutorials.com <- no longer free (6/2/05)
IDE and Compiler: http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/dev-cpp/devcpp4991setup.exe
Homepage: http://www.bloodshed.net/dev/devcpp.html
After you get through most of the tutorials then you can think about programming for the gba
Tutorials:
http://www.gbajunkie.co.uk
http://ww.thepernproject.com
http://user.chem.tue.nl/jakvijn/tonc/toc.htm
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#32814 - Fatnickc - Tue Dec 28, 2004 9:46 am
http://www.webbesen.dk/gba/
is a very nice mode 4 tutorial on making a pong game.
However, as many people have suggested, you really can't just dive straight in without any experience, unlessof course you simply copy-and-paste the tutorial code and don't get creative! I'll have to admit that I jumped straight from console programming to GBA, but that was for two reasons :
A) I had done a lot of JavaScript and many, many other languages(seriously, many)
and
B) This websit was far too helpful to be good!
#34236 - sonicjam - Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:23 am
i'm gonna learn C++ at my high school
#34240 - Touchstone - Sun Jan 16, 2005 4:05 am
Sonicjam, don't listen to these guys, dive right into gba programming using C. I would be bored out of my mind writing java-scripts and CLI programms I wouldn't even reach gba programming. Try and find beginners gba tutorials as well as beginner game programming tutorials to get to know what a main-loop is, how you can arrange for different game objects to be updated once every game tick and stuff like that..
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#34292 - sonicjam - Mon Jan 17, 2005 7:01 am
yeah i wanna make games and release them as a free gba rom and plus probaly make some of the greatest flash game in to gba roms.
ps: gonna ask my friend that works for square enix which to learn.
#34304 - blinky465 - Mon Jan 17, 2005 1:39 pm
| Touchstone wrote: |
| Sonicjam, don't listen to these guys, dive right into gba programming using C. |
Guess that's the answer you were waiting for ;-)
Good luck with your games programming - but don't forget that it's easier for people to help you, once you can prove you understand the basics.
(e.g. I spent a whole evening with a guy on PM explaining why I'd used a linked list over an array; after about three hours he asked me what an array was!)
Don't skimp on the "boring" stuff - it really does prove worthwhile in the long run. There's no substitute for well-thought-out code - in whatever language you're using - and the suggestions for using these "easier" languages were to help you do just that; to get a feel for writing code.
There's plenty of help on these boards for GBA stuff and it may be helpful to find and join a C/C++ specific forum too, while you're learning the language.
Good luck!
Last edited by blinky465 on Tue Jan 18, 2005 9:32 am; edited 1 time in total
#34328 - Zhila - Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:14 am
| pyros wrote: |
If you've little or no experience coding, then try using Dragon Basic to write GBA games. It sounds pretty good and must be MUCH easyer than learning c or assembler.
Only problem is, i think the site is down. Does anyone have more info, or a link to a download??? |
Seems no one is taking my updates seriously. The new DragonBASIC is being hosted on Zhilaware ENT (the forums are currently at http://forums.zhilaware.starfusion.org/, the website is still being worked on, the old website can be partially browsed at http://db.zhilaware.starfusion.org/jm-BASIC/www/dragon/ and DragonBASIC can be downloaded at http://db.zhilaware.starfusion.org/DBsetup.msi). Can some mod/administrator possibly set some of this strait?
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#34372 - pyros - Tue Jan 18, 2005 5:29 pm
| Zhila wrote: |
| pyros wrote: | If you've little or no experience coding, then try using Dragon Basic to write GBA games. It sounds pretty good and must be MUCH easyer than learning c or assembler.
Only problem is, i think the site is down. Does anyone have more info, or a link to a download??? |
Seems no one is taking my updates seriously.... |
Well zhila, my post was "Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2004 7:12 pm"
Your dragon basic update (http://forum.gbadev.org/viewtopic.php?t=4760&highlight=) was "Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 1:34 pm"
#34460 - Jake - Wed Jan 19, 2005 10:47 pm
So, if I want to start learning programing for the GBA, I should...?
What is Dragon Basic?
Can some one please fill in the blanks?
Please dont tell me lots of different things.
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#34462 - poslundc - Wed Jan 19, 2005 10:57 pm
| Jake wrote: |
So, if I want to start learning programing, I should...?
Can some one please fill in the blanks?
Please dont tell me lots of different things |
Google "C tutorial". Or buy a book on learning C. Get a C compiler installed on your computer (refer to the tutorial, or most books come with a CD nowadays) and start creating example programs.
Once you've mastered the content of the tutorial/book, you will be in a much better position to start branching into whatever areas that interest you, be it GBA programming, Windows programming, or something else.
(C++ is a valid alternative to C, but I would recommend starting with C as you are likely to get an approach that will teach you more universal skills than a C++ tutorial is apt to provide.)
Touchstone has suggested diving headfirst into GBA programming... I would strongly caution against doing that, as you will end up wasting a lot more time struggling with the basics than if you give yourself a solid foundation in C programming first. Plus, everyone in the forums will be much more reluctant to help you out if you are constantly missing out on what is assumed knowledge for even beginner game programmers.
Dan.
#34471 - yaustar - Thu Jan 20, 2005 1:43 am
| poslundc wrote: |
Touchstone has suggested diving headfirst into GBA programming... I would strongly caution against doing that, as you will end up wasting a lot more time struggling with the basics than if you give yourself a solid foundation in C programming first. Plus, everyone in the forums will be much more reluctant to help you out if you are constantly missing out on what is assumed knowledge for even beginner game programmers.
Dan. |
I second this as this is what I did although a had a grasp of the basics, I still struggled to understand that basics fully when I create my GBA programs... copying and pasting is one thing, understanding is another..
I will repeat my previous post:
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#34487 - dagamer34 - Thu Jan 20, 2005 8:26 am
I would even say going as far as to learn Windows and DirectX programming is a good idea. It gives you a good idea about how API (application programming interface) work, and sooner or later, you are going to want to right your own library, you can use other libraries basic design (like the way they store data and function setup) as a base.
But really, it's your decision, your path. I would still strongly recommend that you kind of stay away from GBA development at first, especially until you have learned how to use pointers, as any GBA program will use them heavily up from, if not behind the scenes.
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#34538 - Zhila - Fri Jan 21, 2005 3:11 am
Cearn Space is a very good place to look for help for beginners. It includes various tools, links to other sites, and a tutorial (TUNC), amoung other things. He has also been working with me to add more DragonBASIC support to his tutorials and tools. His site should be able to help you out no matter which language stratagy you choose (be it C, C++, ASM, or DragonBASIC; I wouldn't expect too much Catapult support from him however).
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#35464 - sonicjam - Sat Feb 05, 2005 3:51 am
guess what i'm learnin programin at my high school and now were learnin basic then going into C++ the problem is that the he say were not gonna learn how to program games i hate school like that so when i kno some C++ what u guys think what site is really good and understandable to make games for the gba.
#35523 - yaustar - Sun Feb 06, 2005 2:28 am
For the third time in this thread: (-.-')
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#36049 - Colonel Forte - Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:45 pm
I'm not saying that you're dumb sonicjam but what you have to remember is that programming is for much more than just gaming, so before you try to make the next Super Mario Bros., you should probably get a basis in programming just so you know how to make a program draw objects and text on screen, make decisions and other programming basics. You can't just wake up one day and decide to be a painter, you have to learn about brush sizes and strokes, mixing paint colors, artistic styles, and the same goes for programming, you're not going to create a boss-fight pattern on your first time out, you gotta learn randomizers and OOP and all that stuff first. Good luck though, I just got started myself. I wanted to take an existing SNES game and port it to the GBA with some gameplay extras as my first project. As you can probably guess, I had to learn how to make 2600-style games first before I added a whole new playable character to my favorite SNES game.