I want to start making simple homebrew games

[gamerdude1994]

hey gamerdude here

   I want to start making my own homebrew games mostly like vdrum but I'm not sure what tools I should need and where to start off any ideas or tutorials anywhere on the web and before you ask yes I have searched google before you say I should search there but I haven't found any good tutorials so I thought I could ask here thanks!

[Angelo]

Ah! An ambitious developer! Hmm...

Well I'm a PSP program developer myself, however I'm not great. Let me give you a run through.

The PSP - like most consoles - understands two programming languages. C and C++.

Every game you see on the market is most likely to be coded in these languages.

Now, if you decide to start writing programs for the PSP, I suggest you learn C or C++ on a PC first. It'll give you a good insight on how things work.

However, if you've never programmed in an OOP (Object Orientated Programming) language before, I suggest you leave C and C++ alone. It'll save you time and aggravation. Not only do you have to learn the language, but you also have to set up your PC into an Unix environment which again, can be tricky and aggravating.

Instead I suggest something called LUA. It's not a programming language like C / C++ and Java, but more of a scripting language like HTML, PHP and ASP.

It's very easy to pick up, and is one of the fastest and most popular type of scripting language for the PSP. Tutorials are everywhere, and you'll be amazed how much you can pick up from just studying existing programs!

The best but is that you only require a word processer like MS Word or even Notepad to make programs! You can make a program on any OS! Also, unlike C and C++, when something goes wrong (you made an error in your code) it gives you an error message and where it went wrong.

LUA's only drawbacks are that it can be slow, not as smooth as C and C++ and you don't have as many functions.

However, if you become very good with LUA, you can even incorporate C and C++ too! It's a very flexible and portable language.

However overall I think LUA is the best place if you wish to start making little programs for the PSP.

However, if you are confident with OOP languages, I suggest you install PSP Toolchain and compile some basic EBOOTs.

Some useful links:

http://www.psp-programming.com/forums/index.php (Best place to get started)
http://forums.ps2dev.org/...dbce184ba3e39e51b07886086 (Best place when you get good)

I hope that all helps!

Angelo

[stop4chili]

It helped me! Thanks!

[Angelo]

You're welcome! Hey maybe if you guys get good you can come and join my Unofficial piKey Team!  ;Ds

[stop4chili]

I'll consider that an invitation . What should I be learning then?

[Angelo]

O.K, first get the basics of programming and syntax.

If you wish to learn something PC based, learn either:

MS-Batch
HTML
PHP
ASP
SWF

Then move onto either:

C#
VB.NET
C
C++
Java

If you wish to learn something PSP based, learn LUA thouroughly and move onto C.


It'll take about 8 months of practice to get good, but you'll find it useful in the future coding applications to make yours and other's technological experience better.

[stop4chili]

Well I guess I have a little of everything. I know a little of HTML, LUA, and C++. I just haven't really done much with it. I guess I should get started practicing .

[Angelo]

It's better to know one language well, rather than loads of langauges a bit!

[stop4chili]

True True.... Well I just read up a little bit on C++ and I was wondering if psp uses the same standard library as most for the pc?

[Angelo]

Well it uses the same structure and the same syntax, only functions are differant and the way the system opperates.

You also need to add things like module information and so on, but once you get set up in a dev environment and you got yourself a few source odes as templates, the rest is easy!

I had no experience with programming at all, but just from studying piKey and other source codes, I can code some neat functions in piKey!

I think the best way to learn is by yourself.

Angelo

[stop4chili]

Ya, I've tried studying codes, but most of it seems giberish to me. I bought a book on programming c++ but even when I try doing the examples, it seems to not work. I know its not typos either! I think I'm basically programming impaired! I think maybe I'll wait 'til college and take some classes....I just hope psp is still popular then!

[Angelo]

Well jumping into C++ is quite a step buddy.

Also, C, C++ and C# are all CaSe SeNSitIve.

It's best to start with LUA if you wonna do PSP programming or VB.NET if you wonna do PC programing.

Kloplop321 is a master with VB.NET. He's on the forums sometimes!

Angelo

[stop4chili]

Thanks (as always) for the advice!

I just thought a book would be able to help me jump into it. But, I guess it was money better off saved!

[Angelo]

Books are always great to keep for coding, however they get out of date. I always find with books that they lack detail though...

That's just my opinion, I could be wrong...

Angelo

[stop4chili]

Thats pretty much exact, because I need those little details!