Pandora Development

[milkshake]

Hi all,

I want to have a go at developing something for the Pandora, maybe a side scrolling action game of some sort.

I have got Ubuntu installed on my PC for this purpose but I have never attempted to program anything other than Html, JavaScript, PHP and Css which is all web based; I use Dreamweaver for all my coding as it highlights all my code very nicely and helpes arrange my classes and is just generally a very good tool.

What I would like to know is are there any applications like Dreamweaver but for C++ (I'm hoping to use the Penjin engine does this require using c++?)

Which language would be the best choice? I assuming I would be better using C++ for its cross compatibility, I have never coded using C++ at all but I'm gonna go through some tutorials and hopefully it won't be too dissimilar to PHP apart from function names ect

I have read the Developer tools thread but it doesn't make much sense because I'm a total linux noob.

what is the purpose of a tool chain ect any explanations, links, tutorials would be a great help thanks.

If its in the wrong section please move and accept my apologies thanks.

 

[Xenu]

Hi all,

I want to have a go at developing something for the Pandora, maybe a side scrolling action game of some sort.

I have got Ubuntu installed on my PC for this purpose but I have never attempted to program anything other than Html, JavaScript, PHP and Css which is all web based; I use Dreamweaver for all my coding as it highlights all my code very nicely and helpes arrange my classes and is just generally a very good tool.

What I would like to know is are there any applications like Dreamweaver but for C++ (I'm hoping to use the Penjin engine does this require using c++?)

Which language would be the best choice? I assuming I would be better using C++ for its cross compatibility, I have never coded using C++ at all but I'm gonna go through some tutorials and hopefully it won't be too dissimilar to PHP apart from function names ect

I have read the Developer tools thread but it doesn't make much sense because I'm a total linux noob.

what is the purpose of a tool chain ect any explanations, links, tutorials would be a great help thanks.

If its in the wrong section please move and accept my apologies thanks.

I'm also intrested in this. I've just started to fiddle around with mono and c#, I have no idea if I can make anything that will be able to run on a Pandora, but the language seems easy enough for someone like me that has never programmed anything in my life so I'll stick with it until I learn the basics anyway.

 

[sebt3]

Think dreamweaver as an IDE (integrated developpement environnement).
There are plenty of IDE available on Linux. Code::Blocks seams to gain much share around here, but eclipse could do the trick too.
There are also many code editor under linux (most, to not say all, text editor include syntax highlighting).

As for the toolkit (a set of tools to produce pandora binaries) I would recommand using DJWillis one.
If you need help seting up the toolkit I can answer your questions

I think using Penjin and Code::blocks is a sensible choice as this is where you'll gather most help around here.

 

[milkshake]

thanks for the reply sebt3 you didnt mention the language however is it C++ I should focus on do you think?

 

[DaMummy]

this is what i keep telling myself over and over again, that one day ill start learning c++ and start some coding, its been in the back of my mind since the day i ordered a pandora, but ive never done ANYTHING towards that dream

 

[sebt3]

thanks for the reply sebt3 you didnt mention the language however is it C++ I should focus on do you think?

As Penjin look like being coded with C++, I think, that's the right choice to do
Ohh and it's close enough to javascript and php to help you like it (I know I'll be flamed for that, but mehhh)

this is what i keep telling myself over and over again, that one day ill start learning c++ and start some coding, its been in the back of my mind since the day i ordered a pandora, but ive never done ANYTHING towards that dream

Find an objectif. Something that'll motivate you enough to start doing something

 

[QBCS]

As Penjin look like being coded with C++, I think, that's the right choice to do
Ohh and it's close enough to javascript and php to help you like it (I know I'll be flamed for that, but mehhh)

I write both C++ and JavaScript, and C++ is just like JavaScript except it's more standardized (in actual implementations), variable definitions work (in my opinion) the way they should, and automatic casts never turn .05 + .05 into ".05.05".

That said, C++ is a bit harder since you "have to" manage memory and potentially end up building your house from molecules instead of from pre-cut wood at the lumber yard.

Edit: Also, on an related note, qemu is pretty awesome as far as emulation software goes, especially if you have an Intel chip that has the VMX flag or an AMD that has the SVM support. (You can check this by doing "cat /proc/cpuinfo" or piping that into grep or whatever, and you can then compile on a big computer for the pandora. I've used it for kernel development, but not pandora development...yet.

 

[torpor]

There's no reason you *have* to do a new project in C++. Plain ol' C works for a lot of things, including side-scrolling shooters ..

 

[milkshake]

I have checked DJWillis page but he doesnt have the download for a 64bit linux which is what im using doh!!

 

[milkshake]

isnt C++ the evolution of C?

 

[Letalis Sonus]

Evolution? Nah... Just a result of some guys who couldn't live without object-oriented programming and wanted at least *some* low-levelness for that kind of stuff.

Actually, C isn't really a programming language, to quote the "Lord of the Penguins":

There's no reason you *have* to do a new project in C++. Plain ol' C works for a lot of things, including side-scrolling shooters ..

+1, for me it is often much easier to work with good ol' C simply because it's more straightforward.

 

[lulzfish]

I always use C++ because it seems to be entirely backwards-compatible with C, and has objects. And the // comments. Last I heard, C doesn't have those, which is silly.

And to harass the people who use C for things that don't require it.

 

[Letalis Sonus]

And the // comments. Last I heard, C doesn't have those, which is silly.

The C++-style comments are part of the C99 standard and have been accepted without any warnings by all somewhat-recent compilers for a very long time, even when not compiling in C99 mode. Some projects like Wine don't like them at all, though. They'll crucify you on a big C if you dare to send them a patch containing those.

And to harass the people who use C for things that don't require it.

And how many kitties have to die of environmental pollution because you are wasting ressources by using C++ where its complexity and hardware abstraction is not required at all?

 

[zoranc]

Well if you are just starting C would be way easier. And for simple or small project also C can be easier. For bigger and complicated things C++ shines. If you refer to use Web as a reference and source of information then I'd say start with C as is much easier for the beginning. Also SDL library is a good way to do 2D game. It is relatively easy to program, and also portable so... I never saw the library you mentioned so can't comment on it.

There is direct jump into C++ skipping C but then you'd need some real good book IMO. I come across 2 of those: "Essential C++" by Stan Lippman, "Accelerated C++" by Andrew Koenig. The first one gives you basis, explains most important paradigms in C++, the second one leads you through a practical example showing you many of the languages features. Depending on what kind of person you are you might prefer one or the other.

As for the IDE when I did Linux DEV my favoured one was KDevelop, it has good integration with C/C++. Eclipse should be with similar capabilities too.

 

[lulzfish]

And how many kitties have to die of environmental pollution because you are wasting ressources by using C++ where its complexity and hardware abstraction is not required at all?

Less than the kitties that would die powering my laptop while I took the time to learn GTK+ and C.
Much less than the kitties that go into listening to music and watching porn GMod videos on my laptop.
:S Uncomfortable thinking about electricity in terms of cats.

 

[kuru]

:S Uncomfortable thinking about electricity in terms of cats.

One search via google is said to use as much power as could run an energy saving light bulb for an hour.

 

[PokeParadox]

Hi all,

I want to have a go at developing something for the Pandora, maybe a side scrolling action game of some sort.

I have got Ubuntu installed on my PC for this purpose but I have never attempted to program anything other than Html, JavaScript, PHP and Css which is all web based; I use Dreamweaver for all my coding as it highlights all my code very nicely and helpes arrange my classes and is just generally a very good tool.

What I would like to know is are there any applications like Dreamweaver but for C++ (I'm hoping to use the Penjin engine does this require using c++?)

Which language would be the best choice? I assuming I would be better using C++ for its cross compatibility, I have never coded using C++ at all but I'm gonna go through some tutorials and hopefully it won't be too dissimilar to PHP apart from function names ect

I have read the Developer tools thread but it doesn't make much sense because I'm a total linux noob.

what is the purpose of a tool chain ect any explanations, links, tutorials would be a great help thanks.

If its in the wrong section please move and accept my apologies thanks.

Firstly many apologies for my late reply, I did see it earlier, but I've been at work all day and I've just got home!

Yes Penjin would suit developing a side-scroller quite well, especially since both Panjoust and Wandor have side scrolling engines. You could look into both of these to see how they approach this style of game.
It does use C++, but C++ is very similar to php/java and I think javascript too.

If you are going to try out Penjin, it is recommended to use Code::Blocks as it is a nice IDE and we can help you more easily with C::B.

Toolchain is the name given to all the little programs that actually parse and compile your c++ code and you normally have a set of libraries to go with this.

To get started with Penjin you should start at the Programming guide. It still needs a lot of work but it does cover some of the basics.

If/Once you get stuck then you can ask for help in the Official Penjin Development thread!

Peace!

 

[Prometheus]

I'm really, really sorry to follow up PokeParadox's awesome post above with this, but I feel it must be done.

:S Uncomfortable thinking about electricity in terms of cats.

Well, according to this, Benjamin Franklin invented electricity by rubbing cats backwards.

Franklin had gone to Boston carrying all his clothes in his pocket and a loaf of bread under each arm. He invented electricity by rubbing cats backwards and declared "a horse divided against itself cannot stand." Franklin died in 1790 and is still dead.

 

[sebt3]

Firstly many apologies for my late reply, I did see it earlier, but I've been at work all day and I've just got home!

Yes Penjin would suit developing a side-scroller quite well, especially since both Panjoust and Wandor have side scrolling engines. You could look into both of these to see how they approach this style of game.
It does use C++, but C++ is very similar to php/java and I think javascript too.

If you are going to try out Penjin, it is recommended to use Code::Blocks as it is a nice IDE and we can help you more easily with C::B.

Toolchain is the name given to all the little programs that actually parse and compile your c++ code and you normally have a set of libraries to go with this.

To get started with Penjin you should start at the Programming guide. It still needs a lot of work but it does cover some of the basics.

If/Once you get stuck then you can ask for help in the Official Penjin Development thread!

Peace!

Thanks for your reponse, I was waiting for it

PS: Prom, this way, PokeParadox's awesome is also below your's

 

[lulzfish]

:S Uncomfortable thinking about electricity in terms of cats.

One search via google is said to use as much power energy as could run an energy saving light bulb for an hour.

Their data center probably has a fixed minimum power usage, to keep the servers powered on and the air conditioning running and such. So for every Google search you don't do, you're only using 20 minutes of light bulb energy.

The more important problem is, how long do you have to live before you've drank enough water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool?
And how do I searched web? Yahoo?