Homebrew Question Where to start learning homebrew

[Onsonj]

Hello everyone, i’m Hoping someone can give me a little direction. I am wanting to start to learn how to write a basic game for the switch. A little background, I have not taken a class past high school. I am 100% self taught on SQL and Basic, while not the hardest languages I do have some programming background. I’m just hoping someone can give me some direction on what to start researching, is there a certain language I should start with, a certain engine I should be looking into. Just want to make something like a snake clone or some kind of side scrolling where there are hills that change size, just something to get my feet wet.

 

[muskieratboi]

SQL isn't exactly a programming language, And you'll definitely not be programming homebrew in basic.
You'll also need the libNX library and an appropriate C programming environment, and be able to compile for Arm64.

Check #switchdev on EFNet IRC if you want more info from actual programmers.

Good luck.

 

[Onsonj]

SQL isn't exactly a programming language, And you'll definitely not be programming homebrew in basic.
You'll also need the libNX library and an appropriate C programming environment, and be able to compile for Arm64.

Check #switchdev on EFNet IRC if you want more info from actual programmers.

Good luck.

Thank you for the info, I am currently using Visual Studio. Will that be sufficient to start this with or should I be looking for something else?

 

[Taorn]

Most homebrew for the Switch is written in C/C++. So you would need to learn at least one of those languages to be able to program homebrew.

To learn a programming language, it is advisable to start very simple. A text editor, the compiler and the console is all you need. Don't use an IDE like Visual Studio, as it hides and automates too much that you need to learn.

Get a good book or course and start learning. Learn C the hard way is a good course. If you dislike the price tag, then you can find plenty of free courses. Just don't expect to be able to make homebrew right away. You first need to learn the language to a certain degree before you're able to create homebrew.

 

[blawar]

Hello everyone, i’m Hoping someone can give me a little direction. I am wanting to start to learn how to write a basic game for the switch. A little background, I have not taken a class past high school. I am 100% self taught on SQL and Basic, while not the hardest languages I do have some programming background. I’m just hoping someone can give me some direction on what to start researching, is there a certain language I should start with, a certain engine I should be looking into. Just want to make something like a snake clone or some kind of side scrolling where there are hills that change size, just something to get my feet wet.

If you are just wanting to make a basic game, make it using SDL2 for pc, and it will port to switch easily.

 

[Onsonj]

Most homebrew for the Switch is written in C/C++. So you would need to learn at least one of those languages to be able to program homebrew.

To learn a programming language, it is advisable to start very simple. A text editor, the compiler and the console is all you need. Don't use an IDE like Visual Studio, as it hides and automates too much that you need to learn.

Get a good book or course and start learning. Learn C the hard way is a good course. If you dislike the price tag, then you can find plenty of free courses. Just don't expect to be able to make homebrew right away. You first need to learn the language to a certain degree before you're able to create homebrew.

This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you! I didn't want to commit to a language and it not be beneficial for my end game, no pun intended (ok maybe a little), which is to create an indie game for the switch.

 

[Cyan]

There is also a lua and javascript library (part of the homebrew bounty) which allow you to write homebrew in these languages and compile to nro.
https://github.com/caHarkness/luajs-interop
https://gbatemp.net/threads/homebre...itch-tools-and-utilities.520090/#post-8361016

There's a homebrew to interpret python script too, and one to interpret javascript (ECMA).
https://github.com/Kozlowlw/py-switch
https://gbatemp.net/threads/brew-js-make-homebrew-apps-with-javascript.504327/

 

[Onsonj]

There is also a lua and javascript library (part of the homebrew bounty) which allow you to write homebrew in these languages and compile to nro.
https://github.com/caHarkness/luajs-interop
https://gbatemp.net/threads/homebre...itch-tools-and-utilities.520090/#post-8361016

There's a homebrew to interpret python script too, and one to interpret javascript (ECMA).
https://github.com/Kozlowlw/py-switch
https://gbatemp.net/threads/brew-js-make-homebrew-apps-with-javascript.504327/

Thank you so much for the links. I love this community, everyone is always so helpful.

 

[KHEOPS]

Hello everyone, i’m Hoping someone can give me a little direction. I am wanting to start to learn how to write a basic game for the switch. A little background, I have not taken a class past high school. I am 100% self taught on SQL and Basic, while not the hardest languages I do have some programming background. I’m just hoping someone can give me some direction on what to start researching, is there a certain language I should start with, a certain engine I should be looking into. Just want to make something like a snake clone or some kind of side scrolling where there are hills that change size, just something to get my feet wet.

Not to be discouraged, but learning C+ or C++, as a self-taught person, is hard and slow
I would be you, I would look on the visual interface side, like construct2, for the time you don't waste learning a programming language, you spend it in the assets and assets of your game or homebrew, so if I were you I would look at this on gba temp, for example, a homebrew was written with on wii.

modtendo! Wii homebrew (you can find it on GBATemp) download system have been done using a preliminary Gen7 Engine version
Here
https://gbatemp.net/threads/gen7-engine-visual-programming-engine-for-switch.522648/