Comments for Phil's Portfolio http://www.nearlyphil.co.uk Portfolio of Computer Games Programmer Phil Beveridge Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:09:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Progress… by Kathy Sierra http://www.nearlyphil.co.uk/2012/01/25/progress/#comment-13 Kathy Sierra Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:09:12 +0000 http://www.nearlyphil.co.uk/?p=113#comment-13 Made my day to read this comment about HF Java, so thanks for that. And I can completely relate to the more-books-more-learning thing postponing just making something. The "best" approach (from a learning and expertise perspective) seems to be iterative... learn a little try a little learn a little make a little (thing) etc etc etc. Java was just about the *only* language or tool where I did not fall into that, but for two reasons: * It was 1996 and there were only TWO java books, period, and some sketchy Sun documentation, so, nowhere else to go * The API was teeny. The entire JDK package/class chart fit onto a single sheet of paper. Now, it is so ludicrously out of control that it makes you feel like you really need to learn/know more before diving in. I have been feeling the same way forever about video editing with Final Cut Pro (vs. iMovie). Anyway, best of luck and just GO MAKE SOME GAMES. Or anything, really. Your instincts about that are dead-on. Made my day to read this comment about HF Java, so thanks for that. And I can completely relate to the more-books-more-learning thing postponing just making something. The “best” approach (from a learning and expertise perspective) seems to be iterative… learn a little try a little learn a little make a little (thing) etc etc etc.

Java was just about the *only* language or tool where I did not fall into that, but for two reasons:
* It was 1996 and there were only TWO java books, period, and some sketchy Sun documentation, so, nowhere else to go

* The API was teeny. The entire JDK package/class chart fit onto a single sheet of paper.

Now, it is so ludicrously out of control that it makes you feel like you really need to learn/know more before diving in. I have been feeling the same way forever about video editing with Final Cut Pro (vs. iMovie).

Anyway, best of luck and just GO MAKE SOME GAMES. Or anything, really. Your instincts about that are dead-on.

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