On Wed, Feb 4, 2015 at 10:42 AM, Dan <dan27649@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
As you can tell, I'm a bit confused as to what I should download and
install. Any advice for a Java noob?
I'm not subscribed to the Java list, so I'm going to respond here. I
think it's also appropriate because a big part of this question isn't
just about Java, but specifically, how to approach Java if you're an
RPG programmer.
And in that regard, I think the book mentioned is unique. I don't
know of any other Java learning materials geared specifically to RPG
programmers. (The book also happens to be a decent resource for those
who are still working on the transition from RPG III to RPG IV.)
There is now a 3rd edition, for those who care about having the
latest.
Which brings us to another part of the question, which was
effectively: Is this leftover stuff I have in the shop too old?
For me, the answer is yes and no. I see that the responders on the
Java list have recommended downloading all new stuff, and that's
certainly not wrong.
But if you just want to get your feet wet, and you don't want to spend
any additional dollars just yet, and you want a relatively gentle
introduction to Java via a similarities-and-differences approach with
RPG, then what you've already got is not bad.
Well, let me amend that a bit. I think you definitely want a recent
Java SDK. But you should be able to "follow along" with the book,
even 2nd edition, because old Java code still works with new Java,
exactly as-is. There isn't even anything analogous to CVTRPGSRC for
versions of Java. A valid Java 2 program is, by definition,
character-for-character, a valid Java 7 or Java 8 program.
All that said, if you do have experience with other programming
languages; or you have formal, four-year (or more) computer science
education from a university; or if you simply have a flexible enough
mind (don't ask me how to quantify this); then I would recommend
eschewing the "from the perspective of an RPG programmer" strategy,
instead just diving into straight-up Java learning, for which there
are tons and tons of materials out there, as others have mentioned.
John Y.
midrange.com
