Mythruna

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: G1ZMO on May 04, 2013, 08:07:23 AM



Title: Learning Programming for kids (and adults)
Post by: G1ZMO on May 04, 2013, 08:07:23 AM
OK, my 7 year old has in his head that his dad (i.e. me) and he are going to write a computer game. Apparently because I work with computers and am a bit technical then I should also know how to code! (LOL)

I do have a logical mind and did a bit of Pascal MANY years ago at college and am currently learning SQL.

From a 7 year old's perspective his expectation is that we can get started by deciding what the monsters will look like! I'm a bit more realistic :)

So, given the plethora of different languages out there, what would your advice be on where to start? Python seems a popular starting point. Or Java?

Many thanks,

Paul


Title: Re: Learning Programming for kids (and adults)
Post by: pspeed on May 04, 2013, 08:25:05 AM
I gave my kids Scratch: http://scratch.mit.edu/

I've shown them things and written a few cool little things just to play with it.  It's a nice introduction into what makes programming "work", ie: "why it's harder than you might think if you've never done it."  You can make little sprites and have them move around by chaining logic blocks together.  You can take user input, etc..

My kids were only marginally interested but I try to show them things every now and then.  I think both my kids have taken a class in it now (my daughter definitely has) and my daughter uses it regularly to draw pictures and record sounds.

My son also took a class using GameMaker.  http://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker/studio  They made a few games in the class but I haven't had a chance to look at them yet since the computer on the main floor isn't running Windows.  He hasn't really used it since then but that could be because of access.

(In both cases the classes were at IdeaVentions http://www.ideaventions.com/ which is a local place we send our kids to cool classes... other areas of the country are bound to have similar places.  Kind of expensive, though.)

You can also look at Unity... but as simple as they try to make it, I still think that's the "advanced step" after the other ones go well.


Title: Re: Learning Programming for kids (and adults)
Post by: Sean on May 04, 2013, 08:36:18 AM
GameMaker is probably the best way to go. It's fairly easy and you and your son would get to program a bit.

Python/Pygame might be too hard for a 7 year old.


Title: Re: Learning Programming for kids (and adults)
Post by: Michael on May 04, 2013, 10:48:16 AM
I was thinking Visual Basic.NET ( Only Windows :-\ ) I'm sorry @Paul for telling him to start with something in the .NET Framework xD But the language is REALLY EASY to use. Tutorials by thenewboston on youtube, here is his playlist of it: http://thenewboston.org/list.php?cat=39

And download the 2010 Express version: http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/eng/downloads#d-2010-express
scroll down until you see "Visual Studio 2010 Express" and click on "Visual Basic 2010 Express".


Title: Re: Learning Programming for kids (and adults)
Post by: pspeed on May 04, 2013, 11:01:10 AM
I was thinking Visual Basic.NET ( Only Windows :-\ ) I'm sorry @Paul for telling him to start with something in the .NET Framework xD But the language is REALLY EASY to use. Tutorials by thenewboston on youtube, here is his playlist of it: http://thenewboston.org/list.php?cat=39

And download the 2010 Express version: http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/eng/downloads#d-2010-express
scroll down until you see "Visual Studio 2010 Express" and click on "Visual Basic 2010 Express".

But it's a horrible way to start if you just "want to write games"... and will teach you a thousand bad habits.  There are no advantages to learning game programming in Visual Basic.

For a 7 year old, better to start with something point-and-click where no programming is required but is available when the stock stuff doesn't cut it.  That's why GameMaker was recommended.


Title: Re: Learning Programming for kids (and adults)
Post by: G1ZMO on May 04, 2013, 12:07:18 PM
Thanks for the advice folks.

I've downloaded GameMaker Studio and I'll run through the tutorial tonight and then with him sometime over the weekend

Paul: IdeaVentions seems to be only in the US but I'll have a look around for something similar in the UK

Will let you know how we get on :)

Cheers

Paul


Title: Re: Learning Programming for kids (and adults)
Post by: Sean on May 04, 2013, 12:09:12 PM
I was thinking Visual Basic.NET ( Only Windows :-\ ) I'm sorry @Paul for telling him to start with something in the .NET Framework xD But the language is REALLY EASY to use. Tutorials by thenewboston on youtube, here is his playlist of it: http://thenewboston.org/list.php?cat=39

And download the 2010 Express version: http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/eng/downloads#d-2010-express
scroll down until you see "Visual Studio 2010 Express" and click on "Visual Basic 2010 Express".
(http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/001/582/picard-facepalm.jpg?1240934151)


Title: Re: Learning Programming for kids (and adults)
Post by: Iggyjeckel on May 04, 2013, 12:21:47 PM
I guess my question is what type of game are you looking to build?


Title: Re: Learning Programming for kids (and adults)
Post by: Blackslash on May 05, 2013, 08:05:28 PM
I gave my kids Scratch: http://scratch.mit.edu/

I've shown them things and written a few cool little things just to play with it.  It's a nice introduction into what makes programming "work", ie: "why it's harder than you might think if you've never done it."  You can make little sprites and have them move around by chaining logic blocks together.  You can take user input, etc..

My kids were only marginally interested but I try to show them things every now and then.  I think both my kids have taken a class in it now (my daughter definitely has) and my daughter uses it regularly to draw pictures and record sounds.

My son also took a class using GameMaker.  http://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker/studio  They made a few games in the class but I haven't had a chance to look at them yet since the computer on the main floor isn't running Windows.  He hasn't really used it since then but that could be because of access.

(In both cases the classes were at IdeaVentions http://www.ideaventions.com/ which is a local place we send our kids to cool classes... other areas of the country are bound to have similar places.  Kind of expensive, though.)

You can also look at Unity... but as simple as they try to make it, I still think that's the "advanced step" after the other ones go well.





I love scratch so easy and simple i can make almost any game out of it


Title: Re: Learning Programming for kids (and adults)
Post by: jfacoustic on May 07, 2013, 04:11:32 PM
Cool topic!  I myself am not a game programmer, but would absolutely love to learn!  However, I am pretty fluent in C++.  I just don't know where to go from there to make games.


Title: Re: Learning Programming for kids (and adults)
Post by: Iggyjeckel on May 07, 2013, 04:34:02 PM
Cool topic!  I myself am not a game programmer, but would absolutely love to learn!  However, I am pretty fluent in C++.  I just don't know where to go from there to make games.

My programming teacher wrote a book about game programming in c++, he uses his own engine and it's written very well...amazing guy also. The book is "programming 2d games" by Charles Kelly. You can find his website that has examples and his engine. Any questions and you can message me also...I love c++


Title: Re: Learning Programming for kids (and adults)
Post by: jfacoustic on May 07, 2013, 07:26:12 PM
Cool topic!  I myself am not a game programmer, but would absolutely love to learn!  However, I am pretty fluent in C++.  I just don't know where to go from there to make games.

My programming teacher wrote a book about game programming in c++, he uses his own engine and it's written very well...amazing guy also. The book is "programming 2d games" by Charles Kelly. You can find his website that has examples and his engine. Any questions and you can message me also...I love c++

Thanks!