Coursera course on game development using Python (first homework due tomorrow) • Hacker News Board

Re: Coursera course on game development using Python (first homework due tomorrow)

#21

Post by jiggy2011 » Thu, Oct 18, 2012, 5:21 PM UTC

freehunter wrote: post #16

10098 wrote: post #7

I think Coursera needs to do a course on game engine architecture with real-world examples (idtech, ogre).

The problem that I see with that is, these engines are difficult to do in one class. Generally, learning that is a full two-year program involving programming, logic, math, 3D design, etc. Using 3D engines gets difficult to teach in a 7 week course unless the student already knows quite a bit.

Should be enough time to understand and implement a basic raycasting engine ala Wolf3D/Doom though.

Re: Coursera course on game development using Python (first homework due tomorrow)

#22

Post by michaelt » Thu, Oct 18, 2012, 7:08 PM UTC

10098 wrote: post #19

michaelt wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the universe where, to program it, you need a fully fledged computer to do the development on?

So? You still are able to program it, aren't you? Therefore, it is programmable.

I can't personally, as I can't afford a mac. But I see what you mean.

There are different senses in which the word 'programmable' can be used - you can program a VCR without ever seeing a line of code!

What I assume ekianjo meant was: There is a long standing tradition in the personal computing industry of being able to program on the computer itself without costly extra equipment or software. You look at your BBC Micro, your ZX-81, your TRS-80 they can all be programmed on the device. It was the same with mainframes and servers. Even DOS and Windows had QBASIC. Nowerdays, programming tools can be downloaded over the internet in a few clicks. The PC has always been a device which can not only consume software, but can produce it.

Many people in the hacking community see this as a good thing - as a democratisation of creative power, and for educating the next generation of technologists, engineers, scientists and makers.

The iPad lacks the ability to program on the device itself. It can only consume software, it cannot produce it. It does not belong to the long, revered tradition of self-programmability. It is in that sense that it is not programmable.

Re: Coursera course on game development using Python (first homework due tomorrow)

#23

Post by ekianjo » Fri, Oct 19, 2012, 8:10 AM UTC

10098 wrote: post #20

ekianjo wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Try to write a python script and run it natively on the iPad, and we'll talk again if we live in the same universe.

I don't follow. Is Python the only programming language available? Is programmability determined by a device's ability to run python scripts natively?

That's an example. On any open device you can program in any language. There are no restrictions. The iPad is a walled garden and there are clear limits to what you can envision doing, embedded in the way it is designed and locked down.

Re: Coursera course on game development using Python (first homework due tomorrow)

#24

Post by ekianjo » Fri, Oct 19, 2012, 8:12 AM UTC

michaelt wrote: post #22

10098 wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So? You still are able to program it, aren't you? Therefore, it is programmable.

I can't personally, as I can't afford a mac. But I see what you mean. There are different senses in which the word 'programmable' can be used - you can program a VCR without ever seeing a line of code! What I assume ekianjo meant was: There is a long standing tradition in the personal computing industry of being able to program on the computer itself without costly extra equipment or software. You look at your BBC Mi…

Yes, that is exactly what I meant. Especially in the context of a course to learn about interactive computing, I find this very ironic that the prize offered is a non-programmable device. Why not offer a washing machine or an oven, then?

Re: Coursera course on game development using Python (first homework due tomorrow)

#25

Post by nosecreek » Fri, Oct 19, 2012, 7:44 PM UTC

zachgalant wrote: post #5

If you really want to learn game development on the web, you should check out http://codehs.com You learn how to make games that run in HTML5 Canvas using JavaScript, and there are custom libraries that make graphics and user interaction much easier to deal with. Also, you can take the class at your own pace, so no need to worry about artificial deadlines.

It looks like Udacity is doing a similar course in the new year: http://www.udacity.com/overview/Course/cs255/CourseRev/1