"What types of languages should I be learning so that I can eventually develop computer games?"

Submitted by: Leaton Skeoch

Answered by: Brendan Vanous (programmer, Sierra On-Line)

"Well, first I'll give the quick and easy answer:

"The most common languages in use in game programming currently are C (usually C++ these days), and assembly. A solid grounding in the former is absolutely essential if you want to get a job with just about any of the development houses, and a good working knowledge of the second will go a long way when you're trying to optimize your code. To be honest, these are the only two languages I've had to touch (other than in-house special-purpose languages -- the kind we make for controlling logic within a game) in many years.

"However, a more complete answer has to include this:

"Frankly, any language with a good compiler will work to get you started. If you don't like the look of C, pick up a copy of Visual BASIC, or one of the many Pascal implementations -- you can learn basic logic and flow with nearly any language. You'll want to go to C/C++ eventually, but more knowledge is never a bad thing.

"Some book recommendations would probably be good here -- so, how about these (in no particular order):

The C Programming Language by Kernighan and Ritchie
Thinking in C++ by Bruce Eckel
Algorithms in C by Robert Sedgewick
Zen of Code Optimization by Michael Abrash
Programming Windows 95 by Charles Petzold
Introduction to Algorithms by Cormen, Leiserson, and Rivest

I cannot stress these next ones strongly enough for game programmers:

Computer Graphics: Principles and Practice by Foley, van Dam, Feiner, and Hughes
Graphics Gems (any/all of 'em - various authors - expensive, but so worthwhile...)

...and good luck! Remember though - if you manage to become a game programmer without going slightly insane in the process, you've done something wrong."

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