Java or Flash - what do I learn?

[MercuryLime]

I am trying to decide what programming language to learn. I already know some C++. XGen Studios makes some awesome flash games :D :) :D :) :D . But how easy were they to make? I've seen some cool java games too.

So which is easier? Which is cheaper? Which makes better games?

Please share your opinions.

[The Brown Cow]

Flash is easier to use, thanks to the interface and graphics support.

Java is a tad bit more powerful.

Javascript and ActionScript are almost the same language.

[stjames]

java is more smother you can make better game but my friend here is rite flash is easyer but it would take longer to make a game to the same as java

[Nexus]

Just a note, Java and Javascript are two different things. :D

To put it simply, yes, Java is a much more powerful language when it comes to making any sort of software. However, considering what you want to do, Flash might be the better choice. Why? Development time.

Flash's easy to use interface along with build in support for game making makes it a lot easier to create games. However, the bigger and more complex the games get, the harder it is to do it in Flash. So, if you were planning on building an MMORPG, pick Java, but if it's a game like Pong or Space Invaders Flash would be the better choice.

I'd have to say pick Flash. In the long run it's a lot funner to use because of the visual aspect to it. Meanwhile Java is mainly starring at a text file then compiling it into an applet/application.

Whatever, it's your choice. :D

[MercuryLime]

Yes, I know that Java and JavaScript are different things. I once used javascript rollover functions on a website I was creating. JavaScript is much easier to learn.

I just downloaded the java sdk from their website for free. How much does MacroMedia's Flash cost?

P.S. Is it (FLASH) a compiler(for scripting) or is it totally visual?

[Nexus]

Yes, flash is completely visual. There's no compiling of any kind. You simply click Publish, and it outputs the .fla file into a .swf file for viewing.

*Flash is rather expensive, unless you decide to get a copy of it from some one, which I am in no way encouraging.

[Darc^2]

Isn't Actionscript based on Javascript, hence the reason they are almost the same language?

Later

[Jonanin]

yes. actionscript is based on javascript.

I would definetly pick flash. flash i would have to say is easer unless your planning to make a MMORPG or a really complex game. I dont like java because as xsdsx said, it is just starring at a text file. With flash the use of Symbols makes it so much easier. If your the kind of person that like starring at hundreds or thousands of lines of code, pick java. Since you said you know c++ it would make it easier to learn java, unless all you know is COUT >> "hello world";
Try i search on google about them, and look at this: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=flash+VS.+Java

[ABC123]

Planning on making a quick game? Learn Flash. Planning on making a better more complex game? Learn Java. Planning on making an MMORPG? Stay with C++ or learn Visual Basic(which I might add is extremely easy to learn if you have patience). I use Visual Basic but all I can make is software, not games or anything. Anything is free if you download it off iMesh or KaZaA. That's how I get all my software. Download iMesh(www.imesh.com) if you want your download to be faster or safer. Download KaZaA(www.kazaa.com) if you want more search results. File-sharing-programs are now legal in the USA and were always legal in Canada and pretty well every other country in the world. If you actually want to buy your software then I don't suggest Flash because it's extremely expensive. I don't know the price of Java so I can't help there. Hope that helped you!

--ABC123

[Nexus]

I use Visual Basic but all I can make is software, not games or anything.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a game considered "software"? :D

[MercuryLime]

Since you said you know c++ it would make it easier to learn java, unless all you know is COUT >> "hello world";

I know more than that, but not enough to make anything professional - just a few textbased video games so far. I wanted to make sure I was learning the right language before I got totally immersed in it.

Another question - how do you put a flash game on a website? I've put free java applets on mine, but never flash.

xsdsx - so flash is an object oriented, drag and dorp kind of thing? :shock:

[The Brown Cow]

ActionScript is not based on Javascript. Rather, both are based on the ECMA-262 standards. Take that. :)

Anyway, FLash is not drag-and-drop, but it has a graphics editor built into the authoring environment. Rather than having to Paint or Photoshop your graphics, you use vector drawing tools to create the graphics. You can also import them.

Adding a flash movie or game is fairly easy. Flash can export an HTML page with the content. You can also use a little bit of code that a Google search can find for you. If you happen to use Dreamweaver, you can just drag-and-drop your movie onto the page (very convenient).

[Jonanin]

you should try flash. there is a trial version(no excluded features) here:http://www.macromedia.com/downloads/

[Nexus]

xsdsx - so flash is an object oriented, drag and dorp kind of thing? :shock:

Pretty much so. Though as Brown Cow said it's not totally drag and drop, that's only the visual aspect to it. Basically, you draw up your graphics in flash, make them a movieClip (which is basically an object) and slap your code on the Movie Clip or directly in the main timeline, depending on what you want.

Most languages now are object-oriented so-to-speak. You can't really get very far without it.

*I just noticed I spelt Movie Clip as movieClip, weird. Funny thing, I've always spelt it that way.

[MercuryLime]

ok, should I try to learnsome stuff about flash before I download the trial version?


*I just noticed I splelt Drag and Drop as Drag and Dorp, weird. Funny thing, I've never spelt it that way before.:)

[MercuryLime]

Anything better than **gasp** :twisted: GAME MAKER :twisted: **gasp** will work for me!

haven't heard of it? just search for "game maker" in your favorite search engine - It's a big, stupid, buggy, program.

Do you know of any free info on FLash?

[Darc^2]

Free info? Sure! Go to www.macromedia.com and click on products then on Flash. It has alot of info there plus the trial so you can "try" it out.

Later

[Jonanin]

nah you dont need to learn it first. you get it first and then learn it so you can experiment.

[Darc^2]

He didn't want tutorials, he just wanted info on the program itself.

Later

[Jonanin]

just try and get flash, skywire! if you get it it'll help you make the decision better.
http://www.macromedia.com/downloads

[The Brown Cow]

*I just noticed I spelt Movie Clip as movieClip, weird. Funny thing, I've always spelt it that way.

Heh, that's the spirit. :D

[MercuryLime]

I mean't, it's only a 30 day trial, so should I try and learn the basics before I start?

[Jonanin]

yes

[MercuryLime]

ok, 90% done downloading trial now.

[Solean]

Java can be used for everything you need.

Flash just... is.


If you want to learn programming, start with something easy.... Like Python. I used to start with C++, but when I thought I knew everything, it turned out I understood nothing.

I backpedaled and learned Python... great beginner language. It's also cross-platform.

[MercuryLime]

ok, I've picked Flash, downloaded the trial, and Jontheman18 is helping me make an awesome game. (thanks Jon) . When we're done I'll post a link. Thanks for your oppinions everybody.