Message-ID:	<c=US%a=_%p=Hassler_Communic%l=DAISY-970523185256Z-175@daisy.hcst.com>
From:	Bryan Murphy <bryan DOT murphy AT hcst DOT com>
To:	"'djgpp AT delorie DOT com'" <djgpp AT delorie DOT com>,
	"'Alan Wilson'"
	<awilson AT wilshire DOT com>
Subject:	RE: DJGPP & Quake/What have you learned???
Date:	Fri, 23 May 1997 14:52:56 -0400
MIME-Version:	1.0

>Has anyone actually learned anything by studying the Quake Source???  
>If so what?
>
>Alan Wilson

I'll admit it, I've downloaded the source and looked at it.  I'm really
intrigued
by the work John Carmack does.  I'll tell you what though, you really 
are not going to learn a lot from the source.  He is a genius.  His work
using
standard compsci algorithms with games (BSP trees) definately was
revolutionary.  Now, looking at the code, it looks like standard C, a
hodge
podge of routines thrown together to make a functioning program.  So,
you aren't going to learn much of anything from the code.  That's just
the
way process oriented programming is.

If you really want to learn, you have to study algorithms and vector
math.
Read the articles he has posted about his techniques (or articles others
have posted dissasembling his techniques).  Those are much easier to
understand and much more "generic" so they can be applied to more
situations than just his 'type' of game.  And lastly, learn a bit about 
design.  That's what I'm doing at the moment.  I'm taking a CPS499
Object Oriented Analysis and Design class.  My whole philosophy behind
programming is changing right before my eyes.  Knowing what you need
to do before you do it makes programming so much easier.  I've always
wanted to write  game, and I've made attempts at writing large programs
before.  It is possible using the brute force method (just start
coding), 
but the design will pay off more than anything else in the long run.
>
>

- Raw text -