Game Programming: The L Line, The Express Line to Learning [Paperback]

Andy Harris (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470068221 | ISBN-13: 978-0470068229 | Publication Date: February 9, 2007 | Edition: 1

Get on the fast track to creating computer games


Ever want to develop your own computer game? Learn the practical concepts of object-oriented programming for game design using Python(r) in this easy-to-follow, content-filled guide. Whether you're a student, aspiring game developer, or veteran programmer, you'll gain skills as you progress from station to station in a series of clear-cut tutorials on different styles of games. The last stop will be a finished game program for you to show off. Start your journey today on The Express Line to Learning and see where it takes you!
* Learn the basics of programming and 2D graphics as you go
* Plan programs, write and test code, and manage data
* Create text-based games, racing games, arcade games, and more
* Add sound, set up scorekeeping, and design avatars

All aboard for valuable online extras

Visit The L Line Web site at www.wiley.com/go/thelline for valuable online supplementary materials:
* Test bank with challenging review questions
* PowerPoint(r) slides with chapter outlines
* Programming code from the book

Along The L Line
* Complete tutorial coverage
* Ample illustrations and examples
* Real-world applications and hints for avoiding pitfalls
* Practice exams that help evaluate your progress

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Get on the fast track to creating computer games

Ever want to develop your own computer game? Learn the practical concepts of object-oriented programming for game design using Python® in this easy-to-follow, content-filled guide. Whether you're a student, aspiring game developer, or veteran programmer, you'll gain skills as you progress from station to station in a series of clear-cut tutorials on different styles of games. The last stop will be a finished game program for you to show off. Start your journey today on The Express Line to Learning and see where it takes you!

• Learn the basics of programming and 2D graphics as you go
• Plan programs, write and test code, and manage data
• Create text-based games, racing games, arcade games, and more
• Add sound, set up scorekeeping, and design avatars

All aboard for valuable online extras

Visit The L Line Web site at www.wiley.com/go/thelline for valuable online supplementary materials:

• Test bank with challenging review questions
• PowerPoint® slides with chapter outlines
• Programming code from the book

Along The L Line

• Complete tutorial coverage
• Ample illustrations and examples
• Real-world applications and hints for avoiding pitfalls
• Practice exams that help evaluate your progress

About the Author

Andy Harris is a lecturer in computer science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), where he manages the streaming media laboratory and teaches classes in several programming languages. His primary interests are game development, Python, Flash, PHP, Java, Microsoft languages, Perl, JavaScript/AJAX, Web-enabled data applications, virtual reality, and programming on portable devices. He has written books on many of these technologies, including Beginning Flash Game Programming For Dummies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 570 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (February 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470068221
• ISBN-13: 978-0470068229
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I live near Indianapolis, Indiana.

I am a lecturer in computer science at Indiana University / Purdue University - Indianapolis (Yes, that IS officially the longest university name on the planet... we call it IUPUI)

I was an army brat. I grew up in many parts of the Eastern United States and in Japan.

I've been interested in computing since the early eighties, when my brother and I took the money we were saving for a car and blew it on a TRS-80 model 1 with the built-in Japanese character set. (That machine is still in my garage. Don't tell my wife.)

My first career was as a special education teacher. I taught young adults with severe disabilities for several years. I really enjoyed my job and my students. I learned a lot about teaching through that experience.

While doing special ed, I kept my interest in computing, doing some freelance programming and writing about computer topics. Eventually, I became a lab instructor in the computer science program at IUPUI.

I moved to IUPUI as a full-time gig in 1995. Since then, I have been involved in creating a certificate of applied computer science. I have also worked on building a distributed education program. I especially love designing curricula using emerging and interesting technology and ideas.

I have taught many applied CS topics, but there is always more to learn.
Right now my focus tends to be on applied computing in programming languages, game programming, and mobile computing.

My favorite part about writing is hearing from readers. It's great when somebody sends me a link to a game or project they've written using one of my books. I'd love to get a line from you about one of my books, what you'd like to see me work on next, or just to say hi. I hope my writing feels like a conversation, and I'm looking forward to hearing from your side of the talk.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't judge this book by it's cover!, November 3, 2007

By 

kwm (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Game Programming: The L Line, The Express Line to Learning (Paperback)

Don't judge this book by it's cover! For some reason,
this book is part of a series of Wiley books, and they
all have the same cover.

This is a book about learning how to program computer
games using the Python programming language and the
PyGame package. PyGame is a Python wrapper around the
SDL library. This book offers step-by-step tutorials
that introduce game programming with complete Python
programs. All the programs work on several platforms:
MS-Windows, Mac, and GNU/Linux. Chapters 1-3 introduce
the Python programming language. Starting with Chapter
4, you begin to learn about graphics programming. In
Chapter 6 the programs begin to use OOP/classes. Then,
in Chapter 7, you begin to learn how to make 2D games
with sprites, sound FX, and keyboard and mouse control.
Game programming is a fun way to learn how to program
a computer, and Python with PyGame makes it relatively
easy as well.

This book has detailed information on creating graphics
and sounds for your games, using free, open source
third-party tools that are available on all platforms.
The GIMP is used for graphics, and Audacirty is used
for sounds. So unlike many other game programming books
which require expensive third-party programs in order
to make games, ALL the programs in this book are free.

The book has an easy-going, conversational style of writing
that makes it seem that the author is looking over your
shoulder, helping you to learn game programming. I'm really
glad I bought this book. It is worth many times its cover
price considering the amount of information it contains.

Things I like about this book:
1. Easy to read and understand with step-by-step tutorials.
2. Helpful reference tables throughout the book.
3. Complete example game programs.
4. All the third-party programs required are free and open.
5. Source code and extra appendices available for download.

Happy Programming!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Game snakes, great shakes!, June 24, 2008

By 

J. Andrews (Boston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Game Programming: The L Line, The Express Line to Learning (Paperback)

Let me join the chorus here, this is a really well written book. The focus on free and current software tools (Stanti's Editor especially) makes following along easy. It may be a testament to the ease of use when it comes to python in general (just beware your use of the tab key!), but I had no problems getting the results described and learned buckets as a result.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the Python game programming books., December 11, 2007

By 

Mfragin - See all my reviews

This review is from: Game Programming: The L Line, The Express Line to Learning (Paperback)

Andy Harris did a great job on this book. I sponsor a computer programming club for high school students and this book is the best at getting to actual game creation. The first three chapters go over basics of programming, but then graphics and pygame are used early and well.

This book is a bargain at 570 truly helpful pages.