Graphics

[pohanlin]

I would like to know if there is a way to code using C or C++ running natively on the device.  Or must it be like bytecode on Java, where it is slowed down with a garbage collector running in the background ruining any chance of coding fast games.  C# is too SLOW!

[MartinCaine]

C# isn't too slow if you know how to use it. You can make great looking games with PS Suite if you program them correctly in the way C# was designed.

And to anwer your question, no, C# is the only language supported at this time.

[pohanlin]

Thanks.  I hope they change this stance.  I've experimented with C# and compared it with C++, the speed factor really kills it for C#.  I need an inner loop that can process multiple cells quickly and outputing them to the graphics buffer.  C# was 10 times (or more) slower and because of the interpreted nature, the output was never smooth when the garbage collector or interpretation interfered with the CPU cycle execution.  10 times slower is 6 frames per second versus 60 frames per second!  Killing the game.

I know there are JIT and AOT stuff, but they are bandaid only, and doesn't solve high performance needs.  Did anyone actually test out and compare C# and C running on the PlayStation Suite platform? 

[MartinCaine]

C# isn't interpreted though, and there's no way it's 10 times slower.. perhaps in CERTAIN math heavy situations but those slow downs will more than likely come from non-optimized usage of hardware accelerated features rather than C# vs C pure speed comparisons.

I've written a fully deferred rendering engine in C# for PC and Xbox 360 which runs at 60FPS just fine with full physics simulation and it runs great. GC is a non-issue when you know how to work within the limits of the framework.

I've already built two games with PSS, one is a port of my game Positron and the other is a full 3D physics simulation/puzzle game. Both run great on Xperia, Tablet and Vita. If you really NEED more power you should be looking to become a licensed developer and get access to the C/C++ SDK and Dev Kit units so you can harness the full potential of the Vita. You can still target the Xperia and Tablet devices via Google Play through which you can use C++ with the NDK.

[TheOneX_x]

First of all I think you mean 10% not 10 times, there is a huge difference there.

Anyways C/C++ does have the potential to be faster, but that doesn't mean it will be faster. That is highly dependent on your ability on your programming skills and attention to details. C# potentially is slower, but is much easier to use, and requires less effort to get the maximum speed out of it. If you are making a game/app of sufficient size any difference in speed will be minimal.

[rinner2324]

Just to add to this discussion:

http://journal.stuffwithstuff.com/2009/01/03/debunking-c-vs-c-performance/