We swing skills, having a rest. Top 10 best games for programmers

Programming is fun and exciting, right? Many beginners who are trying to master all the nuances of Java or another PL by studying boring tutorials and textbooks will not agree with this statement. Although you can’t do without reading theory and cramming, games about programming, of which there are quite a lot, will help you consolidate your skills and get practice. Therefore, today, especially for CodeGym readers, we have prepared this selection of more than a dozen of the best games for learning Java and more.

The best games to teach coding

1. codecombat

   Codecombat is a fairly popular browser game that is “sharpened” for teaching the basics of programming in a group of students with a teacher (there is even a special version of the Classroom Edition), but it is also suitable for single users. In essence, Codecombat is a set of tasks and puzzles that can only be solved with the help of program code. Allows you to learn the basics of Python, JavaScript, CoffeeScript, as well as the Lua language, which is used in game development (game development). One of the strengths of CodeCombat is the fact that players have access to three different courses with a focus on computer science , web development and game development.

2. Robocode

   One of the most famous, old and at the same time having a cult status of games for programmers. We already wrote about Robocode in an article on the use of Java in the field of artificial intelligence .

   Robocode is a popular open source Java-based game that allows users to learn the principles of Java programming and more (you can code in Scala, C# and other languages ​​in the game). It is also well suited for learning the basic principles of robotics and artificial intelligence .

   In Robocode, the player creates their own tank robot, programs its strategy and develops software intelligence by competing with robots of other users. First created back in 2000, when learning to code games were still a rarity, Robocode is still one of the most popular and famous games for coders to this day.

3. Codingame

   Codingame is another popular browser game, one of the main advantages of which is the support for a huge number of languages ​​(more than 25), including Java, C#, Python, JavaScript, Lua, Go, Rust and others. It offers quite a variety of thematic tasks and puzzles, which, precisely due to their diversity, do not bother solving.

   Another strength of Codingame is multiplayer - you can play with friends and colleagues, the game also regularly hosts international competitions.

4. Screeps

   Screeps is a strategy MMO where the player must use JavaScript to control game entities and build their own empire. Although Screeps, like most MMOs, is paid ($9 per month), the basic version allows you to play alone on a private server for as long as you want, and also gives you 30 days of free access to play on the official server.

5. Vim Adventures

   Vim Adventures is a simple but fun tutorial game for learning how to use Vim, the fancy, feature rich text editor that pro developers love. Many programming experts advise beginners to learn Vim, as this editor helps to write more efficient and, most importantly, understandable code.

6. Codewars

   Codewars is a popular browser game, a set of puzzles and puzzles that allow you to practice writing code and solving algorithmic problems. For solving each problem, the user receives points, the number of which depends on the method of solution - the more effective it is, the more points. One of the best features of Codewars is the ability to learn how to solve problems proposed by other users - this way you can learn approaches to algorithmic problems from more experienced and savvy colleagues.

   The game supports a huge number of languages, including Java - 21 languages ​​in the main version, plus 17 more less common languages ​​in the beta version.

7. Shenzhen I/O

   Shenzhen I/O is an electronics designer - circuit engineer simulator. This is a good, and quite hardcore, it should be noted, puzzle game in which the player must create simplified circuits and write assembly code that works on these circuits. The player is engaged in the design of various kinds of devices, receiving concept documentation with a brief list of tasks by e-mail.

8. codemonkey

   CodeMonkey is a simple online game with nice visuals, aimed at children of primary and secondary school age, but also suitable for adults due to its fun and addictive gameplay. Designed for users with no programming skills at all and teaches the basic aspects and concepts of coding. CodeMonkey uses a programming language called CoffeeScript.

9. Human Resource Machine

   Human Resource Machine is another very high quality example of a coding game with a fun set of puzzles where the player uses their coding skills to control little office workers who have to move objects between different areas. The game is good because it is suitable not only for programmers, but also for everyone else, because it trains logic, memory management skills and finding solutions. Human Resource Machine can also be an excellent educational game for children, you can start learning programming from it or continue mastering coding skills after a very simple CodeMonkey.

   In 2018, Tomorrow Corporation, the developer of the Human Resource Machine, released a sequel called 7 Billion Humans. The sequel is made in the same style, and the approach to the gameplay has not changed. 7 Billion Humans is perfect for those who liked the Human Resource Machine, offering players even more variety of tasks and puzzles.

10. TIS-100

    In TIS-100, players must solve different types of puzzles while competing against each other to optimize the game's multi-threaded assembler code. The game is made in an unusual and stylish aesthetics of computer manuals of the 80s (which, however, will surely scare off many). TIS-100 is a parallel computer architecture consisting of synchronous heterogeneous connections. The TIS-100 is ideal for applications requiring complex data streams such as automated financial trading, data collection and human behavior analysis.

    TIS-100 also allows players to create their own puzzles in three types of sandboxes.

Good games to learn programming that didn't make the top 10

And finally, games that teach programming that did not make it to our top, but definitely deserve at least a mention.

• CSS Diner

  A simple yet addicting game to learn the basics of CSS. It is free, and includes 32 levels, the difficulty of which increases as you progress.

• Ruby Warrior

  A good option for those who set out to master the difficult Ruby language. It will suit both completely green "rubists" and those who have already mastered the basics of this language.

• CheckIO

  CheckIO is a futuristic strategy game with versions for learning JavaScript and Python.

• Cyber ​​Dojo

  Another entertaining collection of tasks and puzzles that supports a number of languages ​​​​at once, and therefore can be an alternative to almost all games for learning programming. Among the languages ​​supported by Cyber ​​Dojo are Java, Ruby, JavaScript, PHP, Python and others.

• Code Hunt

  An enjoyable Java and C# learning game developed by Microsoft's research division. The player's task is to analyze and fix code fragments.

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If we forgot to mention some good programming games that deserve to be in this top, write about it in the comments.