New to PS2 programming

[wall]

Hello,

1. I have a background in C and C++ programming. I suspect that these languages are used in PS2 programming. Is this correct?

2. Is OpenGL used?

3. Can I download a C/C++ compiler for either Windows or Unix (Solaris)?? Ar they free?

4. I am aware of Microsoft XBox. How does PS2 compare to that platform?? (Performance......)

Regards

[cosmito]

Hello,

1. I have a background in C and C++ programming. I suspect that these languages are used in PS2 programming. Is this correct?

Correct. You can program both in C or C++.

2. Is OpenGL used?

Nope

3. Can I download a C/C++ compiler for either Windows or Unix (Solaris)?? Ar they free?

Look for the PS2 toolchain. It's free of course. On linux you may build and use it with the GCC and on Windows, use cygwin or MinGW. Currently, the toolchain only builds under MinGW. As for cygwin, it will do if you use a older cygwin (also try this http://forums.ps2dev.org/viewtopic.php?t=9463&start=30)

4. I am aware of Microsoft XBox. How does PS2 compare to that platform?? (Performance......)

The PS2 have an aprox 300Mhz CPU and Xbox a 700Mhz aprox one (i'm typing these numbers by memory). Also, the Xbox arquitecture is closer than a PC than the PS2 is... The PS2 has good bus bandwidth but poor CPU caches. You must take this into account to archive best performance. But look into the web for more information.

[J.F.]

Well, there is DreamGL. It's a semi-OpenGL implementation for the PS2. You could try using that. It's in the ps2 svn repo.

[wall]

Thanks for the reply,

I am aware of OpenGL and DirectX as graphics systems that involve methods and classes for rendering graphics.

How are graphics rendered and sound produced in ps2 programming?

Regards

[J.F.]

The best way to learn that is to look at the various samples in the sdk, the programs in the repo here, and whatever open source ps2 apps are out (like PGen).

[wall]

Thanks and I have found an architectural white paper on the topic of how ps2 graphics works.

Just a couple of mor questions.

Q1. I have noticed that in ps2 games, moving images (like people running) are typical. Are these images created by actually writing code OR are they created by some sort of image creating program (3d studio max e.g. only) and then some how manipulated in the ps2 code?

Q2. In addition to games, are simulators (e.g. flight simulators) part of the ps2 development application market?

Regards

[cosmito]

Q1. I have noticed that in ps2 games, moving images (like people running) are typical. Are these images created by actually writing code OR are they created by some sort of image creating program (3d studio max e.g. only) and then some how manipulated in the ps2 code?

The bitmaps are regular RGBA bitmaps (the PS2 bitmaps are usually refered as "textures") and you must program its displaying and animation. There is a nice alternative : use the SDL port with handles graphics and sound, among other thigs. It's available from the PS2 SVN repository aswell.

Q2. In addition to games, are simulators (e.g. flight simulators) part of the ps2 development application market?

In the commercial market, there are some filght simulators (although with a strong arcade feeling, so less real simulation than the PC sims). Personally I don't know any homebrew flight simulator (at least any finished project).

[wall]

Ok and thanks