GameSalad - A gateway into programming
ericzingeler
Member Posts: 334
I just turned 30 this year and have been a computer geek for the majority of my life. My first machine was a 486 ruining Windows 3.1 (yes, it had a turbo button). In my teens I was assembling computers for friends and family. In my early twenties I scored a job with a small software publisher as a game tester testing low budget PC games. I'm still with the company and we've evolved from a CDROM publisher to a mobile in-house developer. Our first built from scratch in-house project (we usually outsourced programming) was made with GameSalad by me. We currently now have 5 GameSalad educational titles floating on multiple mobile platforms.
Prior to GameSalad, I a bit of HTML, php, javascript and a lot of NSIS experience (building Windows software installers). For the most part I was pretty intimated by traditional high level programing and didn't dare get involved thinking... only programers can program.
I stumbled across GameSalad and became immediately excited about what could be done is such a short amount of time. A few months after tinkering with the creator I pitched the idea to my boss to build some software using GameSalad. And you know the rest from here.
On to my point...
GameSalad is a great tool and allows someone to enter the world of programming without being overwhelmed. The interface is simple, the structure of how to make something happen is straight forward, having the ability to preview your app as you build allows you to debug without debugging in a traditional sense, and the expression editor gives you a powerful set of tools when you're ready to use them.
After a year of using creator, I have the confidence to dive deeper. I'm now in the process of learning C++. You know what? It's not that difficult. Because of GameSalad, I have a solid foundation of making something happen based on something happening... This is all really programing is regardless of what builder you use. GameSalad will teach you the fundamentals of how a program works.
When you're ready (you'll know), see what else is out there. If you're serious, take it seriously... Do some research, learn properly, put in the time, don't give up.
Please feel free to ask me questions about why I chose C++ and how I'm learning it.
OK, thanks!
Prior to GameSalad, I a bit of HTML, php, javascript and a lot of NSIS experience (building Windows software installers). For the most part I was pretty intimated by traditional high level programing and didn't dare get involved thinking... only programers can program.
I stumbled across GameSalad and became immediately excited about what could be done is such a short amount of time. A few months after tinkering with the creator I pitched the idea to my boss to build some software using GameSalad. And you know the rest from here.
On to my point...
GameSalad is a great tool and allows someone to enter the world of programming without being overwhelmed. The interface is simple, the structure of how to make something happen is straight forward, having the ability to preview your app as you build allows you to debug without debugging in a traditional sense, and the expression editor gives you a powerful set of tools when you're ready to use them.
After a year of using creator, I have the confidence to dive deeper. I'm now in the process of learning C++. You know what? It's not that difficult. Because of GameSalad, I have a solid foundation of making something happen based on something happening... This is all really programing is regardless of what builder you use. GameSalad will teach you the fundamentals of how a program works.
When you're ready (you'll know), see what else is out there. If you're serious, take it seriously... Do some research, learn properly, put in the time, don't give up.
Please feel free to ask me questions about why I chose C++ and how I'm learning it.
OK, thanks!
Comments
- Alex