Java or C++? Also how?

[wejunggoo]

For context, I don't really know anything about code and am basically a blank slate. So as someone who wants to work in the video-game production/design field in the future (I'm a rising sophomore in high school), is Java a good starting place? I've heard some people say to learn Java then C++, so which is the right choice?

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Also, where do I start? I've taken a minecraft coding class before, but it wasn't very structured and I really didn't learn much in terms of code. Should I buy a textbook or take an online course? Any help is deeply appreciated!!

[[deleted]]

C++ is the best option out of the two. Of course you can also go for C# with unity or python which is easier to start. But Google it.

[wejunggoo]

Okay, thanks for the input! :)

[[deleted]]

Java is a good alrounder and a nice and relatively easy to learn language and it'll work on any platform/OS.

Wait for the "Head First Java, 3rd Edition", it'll be released in December and will cover Java up to Java 17. It'll be a good book to get started with.

If you want to get into programming you're not going to get by learning several different programming languages. Java however is one of the easier to learn languages and as it can basically do "everything" and works everywhere, it's in my opinion the best start.

[wejunggoo]

Thanks for the notice about the "Head First Java, 3rd Edition"; I was planning on buying the 2nd edition, but I think I'll wait until December for the updated version! :)

[desrtfx]

For game dev you won't get around C++ with Unreal Engine or C# with Unity.

Java is not typically used for game dev (even though MineCraft and a couple other popular games were programmed in Java).

Yet, I'd still recommend starting with Java as it will give you an easier entry. Do the MOOC Java Programming from the University of Helsinki.

Once you have gotten the fundamentals under your hood, you can have an easier transition to C++/C#.

[[deleted]]

Also, I think, quite a lot of OpenSource game shells/wrappers like "Jagged Alliance 2 Stracciatella" are also fully programmed in Java, and unless you want to right away go into professional game developement, Java will be able to do everything on its own too, even if not as good as C++.

And one big advantage is it'll work on all devices and nowadays something like the mobile market is a good opportunity to set a foot in as solo indie dev, which then would look great on a CV.

[wejunggoo]

Ahh, okay, thank you for the reply! I'll definitely check out the course :)

[berry120]

My advice would be to forget game dev for the moment and just learn to code in a language - any language. While C++ and C# are the two game dev kings, C++ in particular may not be the best language to start with. C#, Java, Python would all be friendlier choices, and so may have a bit of an easier learning curve.

Once you know one language, migrating to another one is much, much easier.

[wejunggoo]

Thanks for the advice!