Hi!

Soon I’ll have my little nephew (13) in my company to check out software development for a week.

I’m working with large industry machines in real time Linux systems, so obviously I’d show him my test machine and if the customer agrees, I can show him some robots as well.
Also, he will get some crash course in computer basics.

He is an avid gamer - although not really good with computers.

I’ve gifted him a still nice laptop with Linux and Steam installed 1-2 years ago and he happily played Minecraft, but after some time he went back to his Switch 2.

Now he uses my Steam Deck - although that doesn’t make that much of a difference…

I’d like to give him something fun as an exercise, that’s is early rewarding.

Perfect would be, if he could code himself a little computer game, but that’s completely out of my normal work stuff and I don’t know what good options are available.

I guess starting with C++ and an Unreal engine or similar is more than an overkill.

Is there something, that is teaching the basics and gives rather quick rewards, which can produce a little something after 2-3 days?

Thank you all in advance!

  • MagicShel@lemmy.zipEnglish
    2·
    17 hours ago

    Honestly, I hate JavaScript, but I like JavaScript for this. You don’t need a compiler and every computer has an interpreter for it. You could make a baseline thing and let him tinker. It comes with excellent developer tools with breakpoints, stepping, live editing. It’s literally the least you have to do to make working interactive code.

    Or another option is there was Robocode — a tank game where you program an autonomous robot to win a battle royale. Or there is Screeps — a StarCraft like game where you write code for different buildings and units and attempt to conquer the land.

    I like the idea of code-as-gameplay. You get to play while being pushed to write more sophisticated code in order to do better.

    • naeap@sopuli.xyzOP
      2·
      16 hours ago

      I understand you idea, but I’m afraid JS could teach some weird behaviour and also isn’t easy to debug sometimes

      At least I didn’t like my time with it, because it has so many quirks.

      But for a quick hack of something, maybe

      Although I’m more inclined with python, when it comes to scripting languages

      Maybe I’ll also make a basic Linux course with a bit of command piping and simple bash scripts