Beginner programmer New to Unity

Unity Learn
1

Hello My name is Bruce.
First off I have to say that Unity looks amazing! I am completely new to unity and consider myself barely a programmer. I am somewhat self taught (help from others from other forums) and only have experience in Javascript. I was directed here by a couple of people from a company that is using Unity to develop a character generator for a game called Traveller. They told me that Unity does support Javascript. I wanted to check to ensure this is the case and if not what programming language (outside of 3D) does it support and where would I go to start learning this language?

I will be using Unity to further develop some programs (like a character generator and a combat assistant) for use in my group for some games I run. I am looking to create some cross platform programs so that those using phones or tablets (or even laptops) at my games can connect to the parent program to keep track of things in real time (like hit points, healing, action times and other things) without wasting time constantly giving and getting updates from the players.

Is Unity good for this kind of programming or would it be better for me to look at some other software or programming language?

I really hope it does support Javascript because if it does I believe I would have a much easier time converting what I needed to convert instead of learning a whole new language. Of course either way I would most definitely need the help of the more experienced (than I am) users on here to get me rolling and with the problems I may have.

Thank You,
Bruce

2

Welcome Bruce
Follow this way.
Happy researching.

2 Likes
3

My book Unity in Action sounds perfect for you. I wrote it specifically for people who already know how to program (eg. I don’t waste time explaining stuff like what a variable is) but are new to Unity.

Sort of. Unity does support a similar language that they refer to as JavaScript, but really it has a lot of fundamental differences from the JavaScript used in web browsers. Personally I think you’re better off using C# in Unity; don’t worry about having to learn a new language, because knowledge of programming in one language makes it easy to pickup a new one (the basic principles carry over almost exactly).

Unity absolutely can do what you describe. Truth be told, it’s massively overkill for those apps; they sound like just forms to fill out. But if I’m mistaken about that, or if you intend to add nifty graphical capabilities later, then Unity is a great tool to use.

4

take a look at this lesson, it has all that you need to get started and become intermediate in just one session.
Coding starts from 1:45:00

1 Like
5

This is good for the absolute beginner:
http://unity3d.com/learn/tutorials/modules/beginner/live-training-archive/coding-for-the-absolute-beginner

Also, this is good for language, but is not related to Unity, per se:
http://www.csharp-station.com/Tutorial.aspx

1 Like
6

Wow thanks for all the great replies! So much helpful stuff. Thanks for the links!

My experience with Javascript is not with web browsers but with PDF scripting. Something tells me that is a better reference when bringing what I know over to Unity. Though I may try to learn Csharp eventually I would like to see if what I know will at least get me to a good starting point.

For those that know a little about PDF scripting, how are the references to different fields handled?
In PDF scripting ‘this.getfield’ or simply ‘getfield’ are examples of what is used.

What I plan on doing will be primarily a 2d interface and I have seen something in the forums about a 2d version of the program. Is that significantly different than the 3d version or are they basically interchangeable?

I have already started going through the tutorials and some of them are pretty good, but tend towards the 3d aspect of things. Though that one tutorial that @IgorAherne mentioned is going to take me some time to get through (I can’t sit for 8 hrs and watch, not possible in this house…lol).
But, are there any tutorials that focus more on the 2d aspect of what I am trying to do?
Basically some examples with input boxes (fields with script in them) that use references from other input boxes and what not would be great to have.

7

2D section
2D game development walkthrough
Rogue Like - for Intermediate level users.

8

Thanks! I am working in the 2d thread now and am slowly working on my test panel. If you can head on over there at this thread if you would like to give some input.
Thanks!