Thread: Journey Through The Java World - Directions?

Hi all,

I am fairly new to the world of programming and my dream is head into an expert view on the Java programming language. I know the very basics of Java and programming.


I would like to head in the direction of being able to create my own Game Engine and to create a MMORPG. For the years to come to learn all this..
What resources do I need to accomplish this?
What books will give me the right information?
Do I use this program called 3DS Max to create the graphics?

I'm very very curious and I'd love some tips and information from people who are much more experienced.


Sorry if this is a hard question to answer because I wasn't quite sure how to ask it.



Thank you!!


John.

I am a firm believer that if you want to make a game make it. Those API's are fine if you cannot/will not make these things yourself. And, API is only as efficient as the code that uses it, so you are vastly better off not using any other API besides perhaps the basic java library, and even that sometimes is just not good enough. I often find the need to subclass and re-do many java API's. So in short don't waste your time piggy backing off these other API's.

Resources in reference to what? I assumed you were talking about for learning; helloworld assumed you were talking about for the actual writing of said program. I would say for learning use Java tutorials, and for the program itself just the JDK library.

Piggy backing on existing code is a main concept behind object oriented programming, and there is no reason to reinvent the wheel just to stamp your initials in the rubber. Extending classes for partial reuse of code is another main concept in OOP, because sometimes the existing code does not perfectly match the new needs. I would say that learning to use code you did not write is a very valuable talent in today's programming.

Yes this is true to an extent, albeit, if you are at the level where writing an engine of any sort is so complex that it would take a single typist too long then I assume your at the professional level. At the professional level you should have data entry staff that can implement your code relieving the time issue and making your project as efficient and powerful as possible. To me at the ground level it seems lazy given the simplicity, and at the top level it seems irresponsible. Now I understand it probably seems arrogant that I'm assuming I can make a better class, but I do concede that there are cases where some things are just tedious enough or developed enough to use. If you ask me though you're better off understanding your needs then determining if said classes implement them properly.