Favorite Game Programming Language

Python is a great choice for starting out.

Depending on what your goals are, you might want to check out Scratch.

Hi.

I bought Pi to return to machine-level programming: I'm not an E.E., so I don't care anytthing about the hardware.

I started out writing compliers and operating systems in the 60's: note: not USING compilers and operating systems, but writing them from scratch.

What language is supported by Pi that I could use to get back to basic machine-level programming?  I don't really care if it's compiled or interpretive: simply what is an appropriate, supported language for Pi as of 3/1/2013? and where do I get it and information / documentation about how to learn and use it?

Thanks:

Bob McConnell 

P.S. Remember Stretch?

Hi.

I bought Pi to return to machine-level programming: I'm not an E.E., so I don't care anytthing about the hardware.

I started out writing compliers and operating systems in the 60's: note: not USING compilers and operating systems, but writing them from scratch.

What language is supported by Pi that I could use to get back to basic machine-level programming?  I don't really care if it's compiled or interpretive: simply what is an appropriate, supported language for Pi as of 3/1/2013? and where do I get it and information / documentation about how to learn and use it?

Thanks:

Bob McConnell 

P.S. Remember Stretch?

Hi Bob,

   Yes, remember Stretch and Harvest and compilers written in assembly language.

Are you wanting a recommendation for an assembly language, or for a high-level

language?  There are lots of languages available.  C is pretty low level if that's what

you're looking for.  Python is a more modern interpreted language.  Javascript is

interesting to learn for creating interactive web pages.

There is a list here:

  http://elinux.org/RPi_Programming

Since you aren't interested in the hardware, you should also consider that a PC

would have the same languages available, but with better performing development

environments.

Robert McConnell wrote:

 

I bought Pi to return to machine-level programming: I'm not an E.E., so I don't care anytthing about the hardware.

 

I started out writing compliers and operating systems in the 60's: note: not USING compilers and operating systems, but writing them from scratch.

 

What language is supported by Pi that I could use to get back to basic machine-level programming?  I don't really care if it's compiled or interpretive: simply what is an appropriate, supported language for Pi as of 3/1/2013? and where do I get it and information / documentation about how to learn and use it?

 

It sounds like ANSI C is your best bet, since C lets you work close to the machine while using high-level notations.  The standard RasPi OS includes "gcc", the GNU C compiler.  (Strictly speaking, GCC stands for GNU Compiler Collection, but I think the RasPi binary has only been configured for C and C++.)  For learning C, there's good old Kernighan and Ritchie though others may have better suggestions.  GCC documentation is available for free (as in liberty) at http://www.gnu.org/doc/doc.html

GCC includes an assembler "gas".  I haven't use it myself, so I don't know how much it diverges from standard ARM assembly language.  There are some good threads on ARM assembly language at raspberrypi.org.  Search for "ARM assembly" in the Google search box on the front page.  This thread has some good pointers to ARM assembly resources: http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2910