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Beginners > Should i start GBADev?

#62639 - Snes - Sat Dec 03, 2005 8:43 am

im new to the site. i have previouly programed in pascal and java and im wondering should i learn some c++ before starting GbaDev and if so what are some good tutorials and compilers to start with(c++)

#62644 - Fatnickc - Sat Dec 03, 2005 3:36 pm

For GBA stuff you should probably use C. I'm not saying that C is definately better or anything, but most tutorials you will find are written for C.

#62857 - thegamefreak0134 - Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:54 pm

Of course, either C or C++ should work fine for most compilers. Most C and C++ code is interchangable, except for the new C++ features. However, learning one of them is kinda important...
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#62869 - keldon - Tue Dec 06, 2005 4:53 pm

If you have programmed in pascal and java before then it is likely that you are comfortable with 'programming'. The 'de-facto' dev environment for gba dev is DevKitPro.

Java has memory management built in whereas c++ does not so you will have to get used to handling it yourself - not to mention the fact that java principles encourages code which relies on dynamic data reallocation.

Well enough of the issues as you will encounter and conquer each. Next stop is the tonc tutorials.

Once you are through with them get started on clones of simple games - such as tetris and pong.

#62946 - gauauu - Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:58 am

And read up on pointers. That is the one area where the differences between C or C++ and Java will bite you with gba dev.

#62962 - Fatnickc - Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:04 am

If you do choose to use the Tonc tutorials, remember that you are bound to get heavily confused at some point, and it may be worth reading through a lesser guide beforehand, which explains the more basic ideas in much more detail.

#63984 - Snes - Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:25 am

thanks guys you are a great help, i will start with devkit pro then and follow the tutorials.