In this class, for this quarter, we
will use:
1. Programming
Language: C#, if you have not worked with C# before, be prepared to learn it in the first week by yourself. By this point, after
CSS342, you should be very familiar with Java or C++. Well, C# is very similar
to both.
2. Graphics
API: We will be using the XGCS1Lib. This is a very simple library
we build for teaching and learning introductory programming concepts based on
building games. You can find out more about the research project here. This library is based
on the Microsoft XNA
framework, though in this class we will not learn anything about the XNA framework. Check out CSS450,
if you are interested in learning about Computer Graphics.
3. Hardware
platform: This is a class about
building games so, we will try out our games on the Xbox 360 gaming consoles
and the Windows Phone 7 devices.
Here are the details about the
software you will need to install, and some other details:
1.
The Integrated Development Environment
(IDE): You can use Visual
Studio 2010 (VS2010), or Visual C# Express 2010 (VCE2010). VCE2010 is a subset of VS2010, it is lighter weight. All examples provided and examples
presented in class will be based on VCE2010. You can open VCE2010 projects with
VS2010. You can choose which IDE you want to work with. To find out more
information about VCE2010, go to:
·
http://www.microsoft.com/express/download#webInstall
select C# Express and English to download/install.
2.
You
need XNA 4.0: Since
the library we work with (XGCS1Lib)
is based on the XNA Framework, you need to install XNA Framework before you can
use the XGCS1Lib. Here are some details:
·
Since we are also
going to work with Windows Phone 7, you can download everything from: http://create.msdn.com/en-us/home/getting_started
·
Alternatively, if
you insist on downloading XNA4.0 separately, you can do to: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=9ac86eca-206f-4274-97f2-ef6c8b1f478f
·
It is a good idea
to install IDE _before_ XNA.
3.
The XGCS1Lib: This is the very simple XNA framework based library
we will be using.
·
Here are the step-by-step guides and tutorials
on how to work with this very simple library.
·
Here are the
libraries: XGCS1Lib for PC, for Xbox
360, and for WP7.
·
Here is the documentation for the library.
·
Here is the source
code to the library (no needed for our class, just in case you
are interested).
4.
Xbox 360 needs: to work with the Xbox 360, you must join the
membership of Microsoft App Hub:
·
Find out
more about XNA and what you need: go to: http://create.msdn.com/en-us/home/membership.
·
Membership:
as a UW student you can obtain free creators club membership. Here are a couple
of instructions from our fellow classmates (they are slightly different, study
them and choose one you like to follow J): from Jason Weaver, and/or from Adam
Weyant.
·
Here is
a short discussion on how to connection your PC
to your XBOX360 console (we have a few stations in the Windows Lab that you can
work with).
Learning C#: To learn
a new programming language, my recommendation is to examine existing source
code performing tasks you are familiar with. Mostly, you will be looking for
“how to” and not “what is”. In another word, you are learning to use a new tool
and not learning any new concepts. If you like to read “physical paper” books,
any book out there on C# will do, I do not have a good recommendation because I
do not refer to any of them. When I need answers to “how to” do something in
C#, I look for code snippets online, and I refer to C#’s reference manual at: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/kx37x362.aspx.
In our class all sample source code are provided in
C#, so that is a good source for examples.