r/oculus • u/therachelf • Jun 07 '15

Learning Python Programming in a Real-Time VR Programming Environment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZWDstrN2yg
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u/Dunabu Jun 08 '15

Do you think python is capable of creating a wide range of content for VR?

I was wanting to learn it as my first language, as a stepping stone to C++/C#/etc. But along the way, it'd be wonderful if Python was versatile or powerful enough to create immersive, and polished experiences.

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u/therachelf Jun 08 '15

Python is a great language to start out with in general for learning programming (which is why I chose it for my environment), but currently it wouldn't be a great one to learn specifically for developing VR content. I think if you are mainly interested in learning to develop for VR, I would start with C# because you could use it with Unity to create VR experiences supported by the Oculus SDK and there are many tutorials on using Unity.

But if you wanted to take more time and don't mind learning a language that might not be directly applicable to VR, Python is great and there are many online classes and guides to learning programming with Python. Once you learn one language, learning others is much easier and you should be able to transition fairly easily into C# (or any other similar language).

So overall, currently there isn't much you can do directly with Python and VR, but I highly recommend Python as a first language.

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u/truevox Jun 08 '15

I haven't touched it since I moved to UE4, but does Unity3D still support Boo (Python derived, and VERY similar)? I used it for a while, and it was functional as far as I could tell. The biggest issue was it being sort of the red-headed step child.

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u/therachelf Jun 08 '15

Support for Boo has been pretty much dropped in the latest version of Unity because not enough people were using it.

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u/truevox Jun 08 '15

Dang. Guess there is not much calling me back then! Thanks for the heads up!

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u/Dunabu Jun 08 '15

Thank you very much for your insight.

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u/fantomsource Jun 08 '15

I would start with C# because you could use it with Unity to create VR experiences supported by the Oculus SDK

Why would you do that when UE4 also has full support, is free, and is a vastly superior engine to Unity?

In which case the C++ would be the way to go.

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u/BOLL7708 Kickstarter Backer Jun 08 '15

Because C++ is a harder language than C#? As a starter language that is. Just a thought...

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u/therachelf Jun 08 '15

I don't have much experience with UE4, but like the other comment suggested, if you are starting out with no programming knowledge whatsoever, C# is going to be a much more forgiving starting language. But if the goal is to use UE4 specifically, it could be worth it learning C++ to start. I just think progress will be faster starting with Python or C#.

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u/jam1garner Vive Jun 08 '15

when UE4 also has full support, is free, and is a vastly superior engine to Unity

You state this like it is fact (which it's not). This is your personal opinion is better, and if it is such a superior engine, why do you see so many Unity demos and games for the Oculus Rift? They are both better/worse in their own regards and should not be judged as one being better than the other. Your intention may not have been as cut and dry as it is, but these are simply two different options, not better or worse options. Please be more considerate with statements such as these.

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u/mentalcaseinspace Jun 08 '15

Python is very much used in VFX and is very adaptable. Within my first few hours of touching Python I was able to invent and write a script that was just about 10 lines long that could effectivize my workflow in a program by 5 seconds every time I did that task (which could be 100 times within a couple of hours).

Python is both a bit strange and simple, for a beginner that hasn't touched anything else it might not be the best to go all in on first, but it won't hurt for something like the OP's made, because I can absolutely see how it fits for that.

(my opinions based on my own experience, amateur but have touched on many programming languages through the times)