MUD Coding

Danlor · 06-29-2005, 01:05 PM

Howdeh!

I've wanted to learn to code for years, but always stuck to try the online tutorials... most of which don't seem to work.

I think I'm gonna go ahead and plop down some money for a book and complier.

My real question is, how long would it take--Assuming I managed to work a an hour or two a day on learning the code--before I could start working on some of the basics of writing a code base?

My rough guesstimate is something like six months to a year to understand the code well enough to start on it, and maybe as much as three years before I could really start fleshing the mud out with nifty stuff, but since I have no real coding experience I don't really know, and would appreciate a ballpark answer.

Lastly... should I get a C, or a C++ book to learn? I'm leaning towards C right now since that ++ is mighty intimidating

. On the other hand, it might be better to start with the most current stuff... any thoughts?

Valg · 06-30-2005, 01:31 PM

Even if you mustered the technical proficiency, you'll end up re-inventing the wheel often, and suffering for lack of foresight (realizing on Day 300 how you should have coded that thing from Day 50, and having to throw out code).

Why not sign onto one of the existing projects that is advertising for staff help? Get familiar with an existing codebase, learn its strengths and weaknesses, and prepare yourself to write a custom codebase that would actually be better than what's already in the public domain.

Danlor · 06-30-2005, 03:27 PM

The only problem is that right now I don't know any C or C++, or any code language for that matter.

Is there even a MUD that would take me?

Nikodemus · 07-01-2005, 03:09 AM

There was recently a new LPC MUD advertising for positions, if you had willingness to learn, they were willing to teach.

Danlor · 07-01-2005, 11:50 AM

Great! Which one was it?

I am -totally- willing to learn

.

Lanthum · 07-01-2005, 01:42 PM

5-->

Quote:

Originally Posted by (Danlor @ June 29 2005,13[img

http://www.topmudsites.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif[/img]5)]I've wanted to learn to code for years ...

My real question is, how long would it take--Assuming I managed to work a an hour or two a day on learning the code--before I could start working on some of the basics of writing a code base?

Lastly... should I get a C, or a C++ book to learn? I'm leaning towards C right now since that ++ is mighty intimidating

.

On that schedule, I would say it will take at least 24 months just to learn to code in your chosen language well enough. There are important things you will be learning for years to come. With that much time, you should understand the basic syntax, structures, coding guidelines and accepted norms, and how to understand someone else's logic.

And I think it will take at least one more year after that for you to be able to develope your own style and then learn all the more indepth subjects you will need to code your own codebase.

Trust me - I am doing it right now, and it hasn't been easy. I had been coding for 5-6 years before I tried it - and I was STILL severly under qualified. What most people who want to develope their own code don't realize, is you suddenly now must do it all. You are not only the head coder, you are the lead developer, designer, engineer, etc. You can't just start coding with no real destination and expect to come out with something good.

Even when you do have a decent design, I have found you end up changing ideas as you start coding them, because you realize it wasn't what you had really envisioned.

I agree with the other poster. Learn how to code - in both C AND C++ - and then join someone's project. It will be easier, and help you much more than trying to do it on your own.

Nikodemus · 07-01-2005, 01:53 PM

[CLICK HERE FOR IT]

Danlor · 07-01-2005, 04:09 PM

Ahhh, but he wants someone with unix or linux experience--I fit everything but that

. I've no clue with a unix system even looks like...

Gemini · 07-02-2005, 12:58 AM

The time varies in HUGE amounts depending on the person and the codebase, but that should go without saying.

I learned LPC through just messing with a code as a "builder". The MUD I played at the time(and still do) didnt require expierince in any sort of coding, so I applied and got it. I had read an online tutorial earlier, and it made absoluetly NO sense to me. The way I learned was by jumping right in and learning by example. It worked well enough, and I am sure it has worked for many others also.

So, my advice:
1) Find a MUD thats fun to play that does not require any coding expierince what-so-ever(they are out there, i can reccomend one if need be) for being a builder, and apply.
2)Avoid OLC, since that means you wont be working with code directly
3) After learning the basics, read some tutorials, that will help alot.

Although that dosnt quialify you as a coder, you gotta learn the basics, like building areas, before you can go around working on the MUDlib and stuff. But thats just my opinion and expierince, might not work for some people.

Hajamin · 07-02-2005, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by (Danlor @ July 02 2005,06:09)

Ahhh, but he wants someone with unix or linux experience--I fit everything but that

. I've no clue with a unix system even looks like...

There's step one, expecially due to the fact that(I think) most muds run off unix/linux.

It's a huge project, which many start, but few even make it half-way.

How Long Does It Take? - Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Enzo, long-time adovocate of TPE	Enzo	Introduce Yourself	1	12-20-2005 01:12 AM
Looking fer Community(long)	Prufrock	Advertising for Players	13	07-05-2004 12:45 PM
Short and Long desc filter	Verboden Faction	MUD Coding	1	06-30-2003 02:21 PM
How long have you been mudding?	Hannah	Tavern of the Blue Hand	7	08-02-2002 01:50 PM
Long time ago, when the message board was crusty	Yuki	Tavern of the Blue Hand	0	06-21-2002 02:40 AM

06-29-2005, 01:05 PM	#1
Danlor Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 41	Howdeh! I've wanted to learn to code for years, but always stuck to try the online tutorials... most of which don't seem to work. I think I'm gonna go ahead and plop down some money for a book and complier. My real question is, how long would it take--Assuming I managed to work a an hour or two a day on learning the code--before I could start working on some of the basics of writing a code base? My rough guesstimate is something like six months to a year to understand the code well enough to start on it, and maybe as much as three years before I could really start fleshing the mud out with nifty stuff, but since I have no real coding experience I don't really know, and would appreciate a ballpark answer. Lastly... should I get a C, or a C++ book to learn? I'm leaning towards C right now since that ++ is mighty intimidating . On the other hand, it might be better to start with the most current stuff... any thoughts?

06-30-2005, 01:31 PM	#2
Valg Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Home MUD: Carrion Fields Posts: 637	Even if you mustered the technical proficiency, you'll end up re-inventing the wheel often, and suffering for lack of foresight (realizing on Day 300 how you should have coded that thing from Day 50, and having to throw out code). Why not sign onto one of the existing projects that is advertising for staff help? Get familiar with an existing codebase, learn its strengths and weaknesses, and prepare yourself to write a custom codebase that would actually be better than what's already in the public domain.

06-30-2005, 03:27 PM	#3
Danlor Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 41	The only problem is that right now I don't know any C or C++, or any code language for that matter. Is there even a MUD that would take me?

07-01-2005, 03:09 AM	#4
Nikodemus Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Finland Posts: 36	There was recently a new LPC MUD advertising for positions, if you had willingness to learn, they were willing to teach.

07-01-2005, 11:50 AM	#5
Danlor Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 41	Great! Which one was it? I am -totally- willing to learn .

07-01-2005, 01:53 PM	#7
Nikodemus Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Finland Posts: 36	[CLICK HERE FOR IT]

07-01-2005, 04:09 PM	#8
Danlor Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 41	Ahhh, but he wants someone with unix or linux experience--I fit everything but that . I've no clue with a unix system even looks like...

07-02-2005, 12:58 AM	#9
Gemini Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 97	The time varies in HUGE amounts depending on the person and the codebase, but that should go without saying. I learned LPC through just messing with a code as a "builder". The MUD I played at the time(and still do) didnt require expierince in any sort of coding, so I applied and got it. I had read an online tutorial earlier, and it made absoluetly NO sense to me. The way I learned was by jumping right in and learning by example. It worked well enough, and I am sure it has worked for many others also. So, my advice: 1) Find a MUD thats fun to play that does not require any coding expierince what-so-ever(they are out there, i can reccomend one if need be) for being a builder, and apply. 2)Avoid OLC, since that means you wont be working with code directly 3) After learning the basics, read some tutorials, that will help alot. Although that dosnt quialify you as a coder, you gotta learn the basics, like building areas, before you can go around working on the MUDlib and stuff. But thats just my opinion and expierince, might not work for some people.

MUD Coding

How Long Does It Take?