Re: Newbie Questions

Rick Jenkins wrote:
I want to write programs to display fractal images on my computer. I don't want to use a canned fractal program - I want to do it on my own. I realize that it would be easier just to the canned program but I'd like to eventually write code to display fractal landscapes. Plus, this would be a way to learn graphics programming. The math part of the fractals is no problem for me.

My newbie question is what language should I write in? I've been told that OpenGL is best for graphics. I know that OpenGL is an API. What language do I write around the OpenGL? C, C++ , or something else? Maybe I shouldn't use OpenGL? Also, what compiler do you recommend for the language you recommend?

Any inputs would be greatley appreciated. I'm not much of a programmer at the moment so talk down to me.

Thanks in Advance!
Rick Jenkins



What's best depends on a lot of things. OpenGL is good for graphics, but it's useless if your platform is a Commodore 64. Plus it'll take time to learn, and it could be easier for your project just to plot pixels on the screen in whatever colour you calculate; it may not matter if the window is erased for example, causing a recalculation (some of my toy programs work this way, and I've been a pro programmer for about 15 years).

Equally the choice of language depends a lot on you. How difficult do you want it to be? C is good, but it's a professional level language that may simply be overkill. Some form of BASIC may be suitable; many people here cut their first programs using the embedded BASIC in their home computers: ZX81, Speccy, C64 and so on. The B in Basic means Beginner's so this could be a good place to start (and the rest means All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, which also gave many people their first introduction to acronyms, that the acronym itself is more important than what it stands for).

Dave.
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