C++ or Lua?

[DigitalHax]

Hello. I am going to purchase leadwerks soon, but i was wondering about some things, but they are a bit tricky.

 

I simply want to know, what should I use. Lua, or C++.

 

I have been mostly messing around with C++, and it is going ok i guess, but there has been many problems. Especially when I was having a go at some Post Processing stuff and more complex render features. These are not necessarily build errors, but errors on launch, or just not working. Basically I am asking whether I should keep trying with C++, or start learning lua.

 

I would hope that most of the opinions are unbiased, but I also would like to now about the support tutorials out there for both, and options for utilities such as GUI and maybe networking.(for future use)

 

Thanks in advance.

[Canardia]

I would use C++, because then you don't ever face performance problems when your game grows bigger and more complex.

For example in my robot walker demo, I had to do quite a lot of iterations to calculate all the robots limbs, and I first made the demo with Lua, and then with C++ and the C++ version was about of 30-40 FPS faster.

 

With C++ it's also easier to include various 3rd party libraries like SQLite3, WxWidgets, Qt, Force Feedback controllers, etc... Which you need to wrap and implement for Lua yourself.

[Pixel Perfect]

I would agree with Metatron and recommend C++ for all the same reasons.

 

When you really need to get that little bit extra performance your choice of language does make a difference. Most of the time working with Leadwerks and C++ is no harder/complicated than working with Leadwerks and LUA and the availability of integratable libraries is much greater when using C++. There are benefits and downfalls of using either but hey ... that's life, nothing is perfect.

 

On balance I'd say C++ is the better bet in the long run; but both are valid options as indeed BlitzMax is too.

[Naughty Alien]

if you doubting between C++ and LUA, of course, C++ is way to go, due plain and simple fact that you willhave much more wider horizon in front of yourself, in terms of development posibilities..its also much more time consuming process, as well as harder, so dont get disappointed once you start with it..

[DigitalHax]

Thanks for the suggestions. Mostly what is shaking my choice is the fact that I have been trying some things for C++ and a lot of things are coming up with errors. But in my head C++ is the better of the two(rather three). But like some people have done, what is the possibility of using both, to some extent?

[Canardia]

You can mix C++ and Lua quite seamlessly. You can have all the models have their own Lua scripts, which saves you a lot of coding on the C++ side.

[Naughty Alien]

Thanks for the suggestions. Mostly what is shaking my choice is the fact that I have been trying some things for C++ and a lot of things are coming up with errors. But in my head C++ is the better of the two(rather three). But like some people have done, what is the possibility of using both, to some extent?

 

..while it is perfectly possible to mix C++ and LUA, I would recommend to first do necessary steps with C++..reason for that is simple..if at this moment, you have difficulties with C++ itself, chances are that you will have a nightmares with any attempt to combine two, at this moment..so, take your time, go carefully trough all possible examples and try to do first steps with C++ and then systematically expand it..at some point you will be able to do mixing with LUA if it is necessary, but at stage of learning, I highly recommend not to do it..

[Pixel Perfect]

I tend to agree with this too. It's better to concentrate on a single language initially till you have a good grounding in fundamental programming techniques and get used to working with the Leadwerk's API.

 

However the LUA object scripting in Leadwerks is nicely implemented though and doesn't require you to integrate it with your main development language; as it's already hooked into the Leadwerk's engine itself. So you are unlikely to face technical issues if you did work on both, it's just you have a steeper learning curve.

 

If you already have a good understanding of programming then I'd say take the mixed route, otherwise learning two languages simultaneously and familiarizing yourself with the Leadwerk's API is probably not the best strategy!

[Wamphyri_101]

I also think C++ is much more documented than Lua. I really like Leadwerks don't get me wrong I think the editor is one of the best I've tried I just wish the Lua end had more tutorials and documentation.

[AggrorJorn]

As someone who has spend a lot of time with Lua, I can advise to use C++. Lua is nice for object scripting, but like everyone else says: C++ has a larger horizon. Personnaly I think you will find more (well documented) libraries for C++ than Lua.

 

official C++ tutorials:

http://www.leadwerks...e2/_/tutorials/

 

Official Lua tutorial:

http://www.leadwerks...ed_With_Lua.pdf

 

Unofficial Lua

there used to be a Lua tutorial section but I can't find it any more. I have a youtube playlist with Lua en leadwerks tutorials:

http://www.youtube.com/lua_leadwerks_playerlist

[DigitalHax]

Thanks for all the help! I just hope I will be able to overcome any errors I encounter whilst programming.

 

But I have to say I had no real doubt that C++ would come out on top, I really just wanted to know exactly why.

[Road Kill Kenny]

LUA is optimised as a scripting language.... It should be used for that... C++ is a coding language... it should be used for that...

[Flexman]

Coding a game with LUA is like trying to get a waffle through a straw (IMO).

[Mumbles]

Coding a game with LUA is like trying to get a waffle through a straw (IMO).

 

Or recording a youtube video with a potato...

[Canardia]

New potatoes are actually quite good with salty butter.

[Naughty Alien]

Thanks for all the help! I just hope I will be able to overcome any errors I encounter whilst programming.

 

But I have to say I had no real doubt that C++ would come out on top, I really just wanted to know exactly why.

 

..right now, you cant see C++ as a option because you hitting too many obstacles, while at same time, your apettites are much larger and you want to succeed with something..my advice is, dont get fooled, C++ will take some of your time before you start properly using it. Initially it may look like a waste of time, but once you 'clibm' on to it, you will see whole horizon open in front of you. Having said that, I feel that you trying to learn C++ already merged with LE..thats bad, thats wrong..I highly recommend, unplug LE and learn C++ as a language, its structure and way you do OO..once you master that, you are ready for just about any engine out there, as well as LE..and whole point is...dont give up after first few problems u have had, because it will be many along the way, but with your progress, less and less will be left..simple as it is..

[Road Kill Kenny]

@NA I totally agree with that NA.

 

@DHax Like I have mentioned to you in the past through chat head over to www.cprogramming.com or another site and do the tutorials. They may be boring but they are so essential.

 

Read about OO (object oriented programming) and learn how it works. You won't regret it.

[DigitalHax]

What can people tell me about Code::Blocks? I know it can be used with leadwerks, but I don't really know anything about it.

[Roland]

Its a free open source IDE which essential does the same thing as Visual Studio, but uses the GNU C++ compiler and libs instead. The LeBuilder can create project for CodeBlocks if you import the CodeBlock template from HERE.

 

CodeBlocks can be downloaded from http://www.codeblocks.org/

[Josh]

For leadwerks engine, c++ is probably best. For leadwerks3d, Lua will have better debugging support, and be easier to use than installing all the different SDKs for mobile platforms.

[DigitalHax]

Ah well I seemed to finally get a post processing basis working

 

I guess I just needed to keep trying.

 

But thanks for everything. I really like all the support you have been giving me!

[DigitalHax]

Does anyone think I should use the framework? I've heard it makes life a lot easier, and it should work almost 100% What does everyone think?

[Josh]

YES.

[DigitalHax]

Any particular place I can read up about using it?

 

Or any good examples?

[Josh]

http://www.leadwerks.com/werkspace/page/Documentation/le2/_/tutorials/