8 answers
Oscar
Student
2
Questions
Asked
1047 views
How can I learn more about coding and making apps and video games?
I have always liked using technology and would like to learn more about it. I enjoy playing the video games that other people have created and would like to make my own someday.
Login to comment
8 answers
christina castellon
tech support
1
Answer
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Updated
christina’s Answer
I recommend looking at Udemy and Codio. You can find complete beginner guide videos through YouTube, as well. I would start by identifying a programming or scripting language that you are interested in learning, such as Python, C++, Javascript, and so on. I really like Python and found it easy to do as a new learner myself. You can do coding challenges where you are given a prompt or piece of code with an issue, and then work through resolving those challenges in the code. It may be a simple debug or something more complex.
When you start considering college, don't forget about all your options out there like coding bootcamps, which help you develop a portfolio of projects.
Think about which language you want to start with
Research some beginner guides on Youtube or another online learning resource
Start a simple project for yourself and treat it like a puzzle you are trying to solve
When you start considering college, don't forget about all your options out there like coding bootcamps, which help you develop a portfolio of projects.
christina recommends the following next steps:
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1851
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you have interest in coding.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Pick a simple programming language to start, eg python, scratch, etc
2. Find out the language structure and syntax online. There are plenty of resources.
3. Start doing some simple programming. Then, you can try to do some simple projects , eg control a toy car, robotic arm, etc
4. You can learn another programming language after familiar one
5. Explore the entry criteria of computer science in colleges and work hard on your academic to meet requirements. I strongly recommend you to computer science course in college. It can help you to understand computing theories and programming techniques.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Pick a simple programming language to start, eg python, scratch, etc
2. Find out the language structure and syntax online. There are plenty of resources.
3. Start doing some simple programming. Then, you can try to do some simple projects , eg control a toy car, robotic arm, etc
4. You can learn another programming language after familiar one
5. Explore the entry criteria of computer science in colleges and work hard on your academic to meet requirements. I strongly recommend you to computer science course in college. It can help you to understand computing theories and programming techniques.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Biplab Panda
Engagement Director
116
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Biplab’s Answer
Try tutorials for Unreal Engine 5, Blender, etc. There's also a lot of really good YouTube and other content creators who can help you. Most of all, tinker around and practice in a lab environment. Try RPGMaker and other "on-rails" tools to experiment around, and see what works and what doesn't.
Suhen Pather
IT Support escalation management
2
Answers
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Updated
Suhen’s Answer
Hi Oscar
It is good to see that you have an interest in coding and building your own apps and video games. Starting with basic coding courses learning Visual Basic could be useful.
Please take a look at the link below
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/Visual-Basic-Fundamentals-for-Absolute-Beginners/
A low code platform like the Microsoft Power Platform is a simple way to build apps, and a great skill to develop for the future.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/training/paths/power-plat-fundamentals/
Here is some inspiration from 2 young girls in Singapore who have learned how to code at an early age.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meKGuxu7ge0
As others have mentioned the Unity Game Development platform is a popular way to create video games. Here is a link to get you started.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/visual-studio-toolbox/creating-games-with-unity-and-visual-studio
All the very best with your learning journey.
Regards
Suhen
It is good to see that you have an interest in coding and building your own apps and video games. Starting with basic coding courses learning Visual Basic could be useful.
Please take a look at the link below
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/Visual-Basic-Fundamentals-for-Absolute-Beginners/
A low code platform like the Microsoft Power Platform is a simple way to build apps, and a great skill to develop for the future.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/training/paths/power-plat-fundamentals/
Here is some inspiration from 2 young girls in Singapore who have learned how to code at an early age.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meKGuxu7ge0
As others have mentioned the Unity Game Development platform is a popular way to create video games. Here is a link to get you started.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/visual-studio-toolbox/creating-games-with-unity-and-visual-studio
All the very best with your learning journey.
Regards
Suhen
Izi Goldenberg
Senior Manager, Lab Support Engineering
7
Answers
Rishon LeTsiyon, Center District, Israel
Updated
Izi’s Answer
You've already received some fantastic responses to your query. I'd love to toss another suggestion into the mix - why not kick things off with a GenAI tool?
These tools can be a great stepping stone into the world of development, making the journey a tad bit smoother. If you choose to delve deeper, they can also assist in enhancing your coding skills.
Here's a sample prompt to get you started:
I'm looking to develop a simple video game, but I lack experience in software development. Could you guide me through the process, starting from the basics and gradually progressing to more complex tasks? Please explain each step in an easy-to-understand manner and include code examples where necessary. I'm interested in using a beginner-friendly game engine like Unity or GDevelop.
Remember, this is just a suggestion. Feel free to let your creativity run wild and discuss your ideas with your chosen AI tool.
Best of luck!
These tools can be a great stepping stone into the world of development, making the journey a tad bit smoother. If you choose to delve deeper, they can also assist in enhancing your coding skills.
Here's a sample prompt to get you started:
I'm looking to develop a simple video game, but I lack experience in software development. Could you guide me through the process, starting from the basics and gradually progressing to more complex tasks? Please explain each step in an easy-to-understand manner and include code examples where necessary. I'm interested in using a beginner-friendly game engine like Unity or GDevelop.
Remember, this is just a suggestion. Feel free to let your creativity run wild and discuss your ideas with your chosen AI tool.
Best of luck!
Krishna Chaitanya Sanka
Data Science
1
Answer
Redmond, Washington
Updated
Krishna Chaitanya’s Answer
It's awesome that you want to learn how to code and make your own apps and video games! Starting out may seem challenging, but if you break it into steps and practice, you’ll get there. Here’s a roadmap to help you:
1) Learn the Basics of Coding: Start with a beginner-friendly language like Python or JavaScript. Both are great starting points and have tons of tutorials online. Free resources like Codecademy, Khan Academy, and freeCodeCamp can teach you the basics of programming.
2) Pick a Game Development Platform: After learning basic coding, you can move on to game-specific tools. For 2D or 3D games, try Unity (which uses C#) or Unreal Engine (which uses C++ and Blueprint). Both platforms have free tutorials and beginner projects to help you get started. If you’re looking for something simpler, Scratch is a great visual tool to learn basic game design concepts without heavy coding.
3) Follow Beginner Tutorials: Don’t worry about creating the next big game right away—start small. Platforms like YouTube, Udemy, and Coursera have game development tutorials specifically for beginners. Try building simple games like Pong, platformers, or puzzles to gain confidence.
4) Join Developer Communities: It helps to connect with other people learning like you! Join online communities like Reddit, Stack Overflow, or Unity/Unreal Engine Discord groups where you can ask questions, share progress, and get feedback.
5) Work on Small Projects: Start with something manageable like a simple mobile app or a basic 2D game. Don’t worry if your first few projects are small or buggy—that’s how everyone starts! Each project will help you improve and move closer to your goals.
6) Keep Experimenting and Building: Game development and coding take practice. Dedicate some time every day or week to work on your projects, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes or experiment with new ideas—that’s how you grow.
7) Use Free Resources: There’s no need to invest a lot of money upfront. Many platforms, tutorials, and communities offer free resources to help you learn and grow your skills.
Remember, every game developer started where you are right now—with curiosity and a passion for creating. It may take time, but if you keep learning and building, you’ll eventually see your ideas come to life!
1) Learn the Basics of Coding: Start with a beginner-friendly language like Python or JavaScript. Both are great starting points and have tons of tutorials online. Free resources like Codecademy, Khan Academy, and freeCodeCamp can teach you the basics of programming.
2) Pick a Game Development Platform: After learning basic coding, you can move on to game-specific tools. For 2D or 3D games, try Unity (which uses C#) or Unreal Engine (which uses C++ and Blueprint). Both platforms have free tutorials and beginner projects to help you get started. If you’re looking for something simpler, Scratch is a great visual tool to learn basic game design concepts without heavy coding.
3) Follow Beginner Tutorials: Don’t worry about creating the next big game right away—start small. Platforms like YouTube, Udemy, and Coursera have game development tutorials specifically for beginners. Try building simple games like Pong, platformers, or puzzles to gain confidence.
4) Join Developer Communities: It helps to connect with other people learning like you! Join online communities like Reddit, Stack Overflow, or Unity/Unreal Engine Discord groups where you can ask questions, share progress, and get feedback.
5) Work on Small Projects: Start with something manageable like a simple mobile app or a basic 2D game. Don’t worry if your first few projects are small or buggy—that’s how everyone starts! Each project will help you improve and move closer to your goals.
6) Keep Experimenting and Building: Game development and coding take practice. Dedicate some time every day or week to work on your projects, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes or experiment with new ideas—that’s how you grow.
7) Use Free Resources: There’s no need to invest a lot of money upfront. Many platforms, tutorials, and communities offer free resources to help you learn and grow your skills.
Remember, every game developer started where you are right now—with curiosity and a passion for creating. It may take time, but if you keep learning and building, you’ll eventually see your ideas come to life!
Haley Ryen
College student and lifeguard
2
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Haley’s Answer
Back in high school, I found YouTube to be a valuable resource for learning how to navigate VScode. This user-friendly software can be installed on any laptop, allowing you to craft code in any language you desire. It was instrumental in helping me grasp the basics as I began to explore the world of coding and shape my future career path. I also can't stress enough how beneficial code.org can be, especially if you're new to coding languages. It offers a platform to construct code using simple building blocks. You can even design your own mini app and send it directly to your device for experimentation. It's an exciting and empowering way to learn!
Sheetal B.S
1
Answer
Updated
Sheetal’s Answer
I highly recommend starting your journey with basic Java tutorials on YouTube. They're a great stepping stone for beginners. After that, dive into the book "HeadFirst Java". It's an excellent resource that simplifies Java concepts using everyday language, making it perfect for beginners.
Don't forget to explore Codeschool and Udemy - they are fantastic platforms for learning. Once you've grasped the concepts, it's time to put theory into practice. Install either Eclipse or Visual Studio Code and start writing and testing your own code.
Udemy and HeadFirst Java also offer practical exercises. It's crucial to complete these as they'll help solidify your understanding. Once you've completed these activities, challenge yourself further by creating a small project. This will give you a chance to apply the concepts you've learned.
Finally, showcase your work by publishing your project on GitHub. This will not only give you a sense of accomplishment but also serve as a testament to your learning journey. Keep going, you're doing great!
Don't forget to explore Codeschool and Udemy - they are fantastic platforms for learning. Once you've grasped the concepts, it's time to put theory into practice. Install either Eclipse or Visual Studio Code and start writing and testing your own code.
Udemy and HeadFirst Java also offer practical exercises. It's crucial to complete these as they'll help solidify your understanding. Once you've completed these activities, challenge yourself further by creating a small project. This will give you a chance to apply the concepts you've learned.
Finally, showcase your work by publishing your project on GitHub. This will not only give you a sense of accomplishment but also serve as a testament to your learning journey. Keep going, you're doing great!