Okay I am very new to programming languages, but I am starting to comprehend the syntax that is used in the macros. What I want to know is how much it would help me comprehend macros, and MQ2 as a whole to study C++?
Is there a better programming language that you gurus could advise me to learn as my first? I got the wife's permission to buy 1 book on a programming language, and want to make the purchase count. If any of you could possibly suggest the Language, and/or the book that would be my best investment it would be appreciated. I would like to get a formal education in computer science, however at this point things are too complicated.
Please no flames, I am not ashamed to admit that I suck at this stuff, because I am a newbie. Thanks in advance for your much valued advice. :)
Kind of a dumb question...
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Kind of a dumb question...
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magictiger
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Actually, it's not so dumb a question.
Because I'm kind of in the same boat, only I can't even buy a book!
From the old Param system, it looks like C would be the best starting point. With the new MQ2Data system coming in, I'm not sure. My knowledge is pretty limited, but an object-oriented C++ tutorial/book might work.
To be honest, web tutorials are probably going to help you a LOT more than a printed book. I'd point you to a few, but the first step is to learn to use Google. Will save you a lot of time down the road :)
Because I'm kind of in the same boat, only I can't even buy a book!
From the old Param system, it looks like C would be the best starting point. With the new MQ2Data system coming in, I'm not sure. My knowledge is pretty limited, but an object-oriented C++ tutorial/book might work.
To be honest, web tutorials are probably going to help you a LOT more than a printed book. I'd point you to a few, but the first step is to learn to use Google. Will save you a lot of time down the road :)
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theafkxper
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If you just want to understand macroing you really dont need any programming stuff, you just need to know that "float" means a number like 12.345 and "int" means 12 (whole number, no decimal), "string" means text, and "bool" means true/false. And you need to understand the world around you 
Object oriented simply puts things in a logical place, and having "types" says what sort of object it is. Everything in an object has some attachment to that object... for example... ${Me.Mana} ... Mana is part of Me... Me is of type "character" because you are a character, and Mana is of type "int" because its a whole number. If you applied this to real world, you might have ${Desk.Color} where Desk is of type "furniture" and Color is of type "string" .. . the end result of this might be "brown".
It's very very simple with no knowledge of any kind of programming... people tend to make things more difficult than they really are.
Object oriented simply puts things in a logical place, and having "types" says what sort of object it is. Everything in an object has some attachment to that object... for example... ${Me.Mana} ... Mana is part of Me... Me is of type "character" because you are a character, and Mana is of type "int" because its a whole number. If you applied this to real world, you might have ${Desk.Color} where Desk is of type "furniture" and Color is of type "string" .. . the end result of this might be "brown".It's very very simple with no knowledge of any kind of programming... people tend to make things more difficult than they really are.
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Lax, you sound just like a professor.Wow thanks for the responses. I think I will start looking more into the tutorials option, I am not just interested in the macros themselves, I would like to delve much deeper, eventually being capable of writing my own plug-ins. I would like to become capable of owning a title like “DEV”
So I need to study C++ and Object-Oriented Programming?
:)
So I need to study C++ and Object-Oriented Programming?
:)
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I would take Lax over my computer science teacher anyday...She lectures and it is so boring. The only plus I have in that class is the fact that the seats are theater like so when i turn around to see the clock I get to look at the hotties behind me, I cant wait for warm weather---warm weather = skirts for the clueless ones.
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Last edited by Kaitain on Thu Apr 15, 2004 4:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Naw, not a dumb question. =)
I think knowing a higher language would help a lot in understanding macros.
But- as for which language would be best is a matter of opinion. I'd say it would be best to skip over scripting languages like visual basic (censor: i'm an idiot; please ignore me) or Perl and do a more structured language. Java is a great place to start, not because it is a useful language, (it's dirt slow- maybe not as bad as vb, but still) but because it is an elegent language and because its API is fabulously well documented and it has a free IDE. (also, it has similar syntax to C[++]; it's pretty easy to cross over) Once you learn the basics of Java, you can just use Sun's API straight off the web and learn how to use any given library. (although, that doesn't mean being able to handle large projects- for that, you really do need some solid, concrete training)
As far as getting a book goes, well, the book I learned off of is pretty outdated. Just go to a bookstore and take advantage of their cosy little seats, and start reading. But *don't* get a java book that emphasizes applets, coding for the web etc., that's very different.
I think knowing a higher language would help a lot in understanding macros.
But- as for which language would be best is a matter of opinion. I'd say it would be best to skip over scripting languages like visual basic (censor: i'm an idiot; please ignore me) or Perl and do a more structured language. Java is a great place to start, not because it is a useful language, (it's dirt slow- maybe not as bad as vb, but still) but because it is an elegent language and because its API is fabulously well documented and it has a free IDE. (also, it has similar syntax to C[++]; it's pretty easy to cross over) Once you learn the basics of Java, you can just use Sun's API straight off the web and learn how to use any given library. (although, that doesn't mean being able to handle large projects- for that, you really do need some solid, concrete training)
As far as getting a book goes, well, the book I learned off of is pretty outdated. Just go to a bookstore and take advantage of their cosy little seats, and start reading. But *don't* get a java book that emphasizes applets, coding for the web etc., that's very different.