<p>I just finished AP Computer Science, and we learned if-else statements, loops, arrays, searching and sorting algorithms, inheritance, abstract classes and the basics of interfaces. Where should I go from here? I want to learn how to make games. Should I immediately jump into game design? I found a Youtube series that walks you step by step through the process, but I don't understand all of the code like threads for example.</p>
<p>Check out MIT Open Courseware or similar to get good in Java then worry about writing games a year or two later… It’s a big leap from Hello World to animation…</p>
<p>My friend had an old copy of Head First Java that isn’t written in. Is it a good book?</p>
<p>You could take a look at implementing data structures, design patterns and basic run-time analysis.</p>
<p>You can learn to develop web apps. Learn Ruby on rails. If you want to learn something that will really help you in CS but won’t be as fun as programming, learn some discrete math and data structures (you are probably better off learning this 2 in class)</p>
<p>The place to start with games is C/C++ and Objective-C. Get a free IDE like netbeans or Xcode. You import OpenGL, which is like a code library that deals with graphics that people use to enhance their apps or make games. The best way to go is to build a game from scratch is using OpenGL and building from there, the short cut is to use other libraries already made for you that deal with graphics, sound, physics and whatnot. </p>
<p>You can import other code libraries that work on top of OpenGL, like the 2D game engine (just another code library) Cocos2D. Want physics in your game? Get an open source physics engine (code library) like chipmunk. </p>
<p>A resume with university + apps = development job</p>
<p>Check out edX.org and udacity.com, both have great programming courses.</p>