hi, im trying to create a 2d game that uses a scrolling screen. How would i code that and would i draw it all as one giant bitmap, or several smaller ones? And also on the game, i would like the character to jump, how do i set its gravity? Thanks!

Using one giant map will be a good choice since using several smaller bitmap will be more complicated in the way of programming. But I would choose using the second one since it give more flexibility(let's say...tiled map system)

Using gravity in 2D game is like in 3D game except that you use y direction instead of z direction.

ok, thanks! Ive got one question though. How exactly would i set up a tiled map?

i think that isn´t easy.
But to the gravity: It is very hard!!! Because you can´t trace. i haven´t found a way for more than one floor-level. I you have an idea PM me

If you're a beginner, I would use a giant map. You can perform pixel operations on the bitmap to find collisions. This will be the most hard job, but not impossible.
Gravity calculation itself is not so hard. Just use standard physics equations, translate them to the movement of your bitmaps, and you should be fine.

It'll be collision detection that attempts to kill you :P

For some simple game, just use bounding box for the collision between two objects.
For the bounding box, you can use top-left corner position and bottom-right corner. You can even use pixel operation on the bitmap background combined with bounding corners detection