What do you think about learn python to program in ags?

[javixblack]

Hi everyone!!! I'm not pretty sure if is this the right section of the forums...whatever; I want to tell you than I decide to learn python from 0; the idea behind it is learn how to program because I don't know nothing about programming, except the very basic concepts as variables, functions, a little bit of loops and things like that. I find a very well course of this language in YouTube, so I start the study a few days ago. My question is the next: do you think than I could code and adventure relatively well (a decent code I mean) just learning python?
I know AGS use a C bases language, also I read and understand the script tutorial included in the help file of the editor. I have all this question because I heard python is an excellent language to learn programming from 0, and the idea of learn second language as C or C++ from zero just for make a game in AGS is... "agobiante". So, I hope you guys can answer this silly question and wish you strength in this hard times. Excuse my poor english btw! Thanks!!!

[Cassiebsg]

If your intention is to learn it with the soul purpose of doing games in AGS, then I would say it's a waste of time, just learn AGS.
If you want to learn it to help getting a grasp of how code works and add python to your CV, eventually do python coding and enjoy it, then go for it. Can't hurt to know more than less. 

Just be very clear what your goals are, cause if you learn Python and then want to use that knowledge into AGS, you might run into "Why can't I do this? Or that? It works in Python, why not in AGS?"

[Snarky]

It's sort of like learning Spanish to prepare for a trip to Haiti (where they speak a French-based creole). Yes, there is some overlap and things you can apply from one to the other, and more general patterns you'll be able to discover by comparing across languages; and yes, Spanish is certainly a bigger language than this weird little French hybrid.

Are you better placed to learn Haitian creole if you've already studied Spanish as a second language? Probably.
But is the best way to learn how to get along in Haitian to first learn Spanish? Absolutely not!

[Retro Wolf]

If you want to use python rather than AGS, there's something called pygame. I've had a go and it's pretty good, though you have to make everything yourself from scratch. Inventory management, pathfinding, character speech etc are already made and easy to use in AGS. Not so easy for someone new to programming.

[Crimson Wizard]

My belief is that if you are learning to program from zero, then you should begin with some simple and convenient language that won't distract you with extra concepts and obscure limitations.
When you begin to learn coding, it's not even the nuances of every language that matter most, in my opinion, but getting a grasp of structuring your program and making algorithms.
From this perspective, Python seems like a pretty good option. Python is also used in many places, including other game engines such as pygame and Godot (from the top of my head).

Whether learning Python will help to code in AGS, - I guess in many ways it will, as both are procedural languages (as in - program consists of commands that are put in functions and performed in order), so basic concepts match.
AGS Script is actually a downgrade from many existing languages, because it's a homebrew language and was never fully complete. So the main problem, imho, will be to get used to its restrictions. Other than that, it's mostly a matter of adapting to a new syntax.

Also, if you are into game programming, or any programming, the more languages you learn the better. First will be pretty difficult, but each next will be easier, since you'll meet familiar concepts. If you know 2-3, you will be ready to dive into any new game engine anytime.

[Khris]

May I suggest JavaScript as an alternative? It has a significant overlap with AGScript in that a) the syntax is very similar (almost identical often), and b) JS is also 90% event based, exactly like the AGS engine.

The web is full of beginner JS tutorials to boot, I presume.

(note: JavaScript is not the same as Java!!)

[javixblack]

Thanks you so much to everyone! My plan was originally learn how to code in ags, but Im considering apply the knowledges in other engines like gamemaker as example. The idea of learn code is exciting to me, and in particular the answer of crimson wizard inspired to me to try to learn as much as I can. So, I hope get something usefull from all of this. Thanks you so much again and I see you around in the forums (: