Programming advice

Want to get into programming but I was not sure what I should try to learn first (lisp, VBA, etc.)

Sorry if this has been discussed. Did a quick search and did not see anything.

 

It's really a matter of what you want to "do" with your programing..

For me, it was custom commands.. a new dialog box.. simple stuff so I
went with LISP. If you are going to get into complex programs.. most
would say go with VBA..

HTH

 

If I were you I'd start with my VCR.
Kind of a difficult programming intro, but worth the struggle.
HTH.

anything.

 

I started with the mircowave, but Bill bragging about being a good cook he
may skip that part and get right to VCR's (VHS not Beta's)

Murph

 

Thanks Murph.

 

Here my two cents (also how I got started)

Start with vLisp since there is such a huge amount sample code and advice
out there. This will also allow you to learn how the dwg database works and
the basic object hierarchy. Vlisp allows for using ActiveX functions which
is basically VBA in Lisp syntax. From there you can jump to VBA if you want
to do more dialog driven programs. Most of my VBA programs require a vLisp
helper function to load and run it so another reason to have some lisp under
you belt.
From VBA you can then jump to ObjectARX to do custom objects and COM
applications that allow you to create and customize just about anything.
But C++ knowledge is a must for ARX.
As for .Net, right now the API is just being developed. If you want to work
with the drawing database the 2005 version of .Net will do what you need,
but it currently doesn’t allow for as much functionality as VBA or vLisp.
That should all change with the next few version of AutoCAD though.

Like I said, just my two cents.

-John

 

Thanks for the help

 

how long would it take to learn c++ if you are a decent VB person.
I know the basics of C but am not familiar with how you actually use it with windows.
I assume there is a learning curve with what libraries you have to load, how to debug, what not to do...
Is this like a one year curve or several to be able to do stuff with Acad?

John <jherrman <at> burnsmcd dotcom>
|>Here my two cents (also how I got started)
|>
|>Start with vLisp since there is such a huge amount sample code and advice
|>out there. This will also allow you to learn how the dwg database works and
|>the basic object hierarchy. Vlisp allows for using ActiveX functions which
|>is basically VBA in Lisp syntax. From there you can jump to VBA if you want
|>to do more dialog driven programs. Most of my VBA programs require a vLisp
|>helper function to load and run it so another reason to have some lisp under
|>you belt.
|>From VBA you can then jump to ObjectARX to do custom objects and COM
|>applications that allow you to create and customize just about anything.
|>But C++ knowledge is a must for ARX.
|>As for .Net, right now the API is just being developed. If you want to work
|>with the drawing database the 2005 version of .Net will do what you need,
|>but it currently doesn’t allow for as much functionality as VBA or vLisp.
|>That should all change with the next few version of AutoCAD though.
|>
|>Like I said, just my two cents.
|>
|>-John

James Maeding
jmaeding at hunsaker dot com
Civil Engineer/Programmer

 

I learned basic C++ from a book and a Community College class over the
course of a year. I think between the samples included with the SDK, a good
C++ refrence book, and knowledge of the AutoCAD Object Model you should be
able to work through it over a few months. IMHO knowing the Object Model
really well is more important that how well you know C++.
Some of the learning curve is also removed by the ARX Wizards that Autodesks
ships.
Start by working through the labs that comes with the SDK they are fairly
well put together. ARX is one of those things you really only learn by
doing.

-John

 

thanks for the advice, that is encouraging because I do know the model pretty well.


John <jherrman <at> burnsmcd dotcom>
|>I learned basic C++ from a book and a Community College class over the
|>course of a year. I think between the samples included with the SDK, a good
|>C++ refrence book, and knowledge of the AutoCAD Object Model you should be
|>able to work through it over a few months. IMHO knowing the Object Model
|>really well is more important that how well you know C++.
|>Some of the learning curve is also removed by the ARX Wizards that Autodesks
|>ships.
|>Start by working through the labs that comes with the SDK they are fairly
|>well put together. ARX is one of those things you really only learn by
|>doing.
|>
|>-John

James Maeding
jmaeding at hunsaker dot com
Civil Engineer/Programmer