What launguage should I learn?

School is almost over and I'm thinking I should I learn a programming launguage. I was going to ask u guys what i should pick up if i want to start modding games like civ4?

 

Civ 4 uses 2 languages; Python, and C++. C++ is much more commenly used in other applications, so if you weren't just restricting yourself to Civ it would probably be the best to learn, however I think Python is a lot easier to pick up, as well as being suitable for most of the changes you will need to make for Civ.

 

Well I know that XML is the easiest, soo if you can probably do that, then yor off to a good start! Then tacle something like python but if you really want to get the most out of modding, you might want to learn C++. Personally, I would learn C++ if I had Time, I learned some small stuff, like how to make words appear o screen in dos window, but thats it and to mee its a COOL language and seems fun to learn. Maybe im a nerd that likes math, but i would try to learn C++ to use the SDK and its good for modding other games of your preference.

EDIT::::: DANG, The Great Apple YOU BEAT ME TO IT!!

 

I would say go with python ... you'll get a gentle introduction to programming, and can tackle the complexity of c++ second if you want.

 

XML is not a programming language

 

Im sorry, I know its not really a language but is similar, I guess? Isn't similar to HTML and I know people dont consider that a language either.

 

XML is not a programming language, it is a markup language. It is basically a database.

 

thx guys I've alredy learned very verybasic Java so I think i'll start on C++

 

You can do alot with the XML files without having to learn languages...

I mod alot with it

of course you are limited on what you can do with it but...

you can "Reskin"/edit/mod:

new units
new national/world wonders
buildings
civics

and alot of other stuff...



I usually stay away from Python because it hardly ever works with MP games...
(but I use them occasionally)


some resources to explain the XML tags:


http://civ4wiki.com/wiki/index.php/Xml_files


and here:

http://modiki.apolyton.net/index.php?title=Reference_xml


(cross reference them both since some have info the other does not)


Hope that helps!


(or you can just ignore this info )

 

In terms of understanding how this game works going straight to C++ is best. Using Python you can override a lot of default behaviors, but without better documentation it's hard to tell how each override works -- I find myself going into C++ just to see how the Python is evoked. I usually end up coding in Python anyway, just because it's easier and faster, but without being able to read the C++ the Python is actually hard to figure out as the documentation out there is minimal.

However, there is a LOT to see in the core code. If you're new to programming, going into the SDK may be like drinking from a firehose.