Is there an In-Depth, step by step coding guide

[Swamp7hing]

for GM? I mean like that of Java, with a lot of tutorials and manuals dedicated to teaching the code. And if not, how about we make one! It would help a ton o- well, at least all those who are interested!

[Gnome]

There is a help manuel built in to GM.

[Swamp7hing]

But its not the kind on in depth help manual that other programming languages have. If we (or ES) worked on a manual as such, it would further help make GM into an official programming language. But put this aside for now, more important stuff to work on. See ES forums for what I need you to do Gnome, If you can.

[Gan]

Does Gm have a piece of code that can convert ascii to regular letters?


-Gandolf

[Gnome]

We could build it in GM. like have the documentation on the left, and on the right an example of what it does! But that will be a later project, for a later time.

[Silverwind]

That's a good idea Swamp. I wrote a good tutorial on Variable Conception in Silver's RPG Making Guide which is downloadable from the Roguesoft website: http://www.roguesoft.co.uk

Out of interest, is there a particular engine you'd like to build or a concept you'd like explained? If so I can help you.

[Swamp7hing]

Does Gm have a piece of code that can convert ascii to regular letters?


-Gandolf

I'll go through the GM help and pull anything that relates to ASCII and Applescript here:

ASC var$
Returns the ASCII value of the first character in var$.


BEGIN APPLESCRIPT
  --write AppleScript code here
END APPLESCRIPT = var$
You can use AppleScript by writing valid AppleScript code in the lines between BEGIN APPLESCRIPT and END APPLESCRIPT. If you use the optional var$ parameter after END APPLESCRIPT, it will put the result, if any, into the variable var$. You can pass variables to AppleScript by using BEGIN APPLESCRIPT var1 var2 etc. AppleScript doesn't accept the $ symbol attached to it's variables, so any GameMaker string variables passed to AppleScript will be converted to the variable name without the $ symbol for use in AppleScript commands.

var1$ = CHR$ var2
Sets var1$ to a string containing the ASCII value of var2.

That's all in GM, but there's JavaScript too:

http://www.advancescripts.com/detailed/712.html

Google it! I'll PM Mist.

[Swamp7hing]

That's a good idea Swamp. I wrote a good tutorial on Variable Conception in Silver's RPG Making Guide which is downloadable from the Roguesoft website: http://www.roguesoft.co.uk

Out of interest, is there a particular engine you'd like to build or a concept you'd like explained? If so I can help you.

Silver, we'll be posting questions and more on the ES Forums. Thanks for the offer, we might need some help later on, so check ovah yonder!

[Al Staffieri]

The GameMaker Users Guide was sort of a start to something like that.
http://alstaffieri.com/gmguide.html

[Silverwind]

I'd really like to follow this up, so I might set aside some ToF time to work on this during the week. Could you provide me with a little more info though Swamp? For example, what kind of format did you have in mind? Tutorials on how to program various genre engines such as Point & Click, FPS and RPGs and stuff? And how basic should the introduction be?

[WarHampster]

While I'm not Swamp, a format that I've always wished existed in language tutorials is one of this nature:

A list of all the available commands in the language, each accompanied by a short description of what they do. Then, there would be some advice on how to use those commands in creating different types of engines.

For example, after explaining string manipulation commands, there could be a small section on using them to make an inventory engine.

I've always thought that something like that would be more helpful than a tutorial, because instead of just following someone's instructions you have to think about how to take the advice and use it in accordance with the commands.

[Tireas Dragon]

Well the best way to learn is to make a small game that uses almost every piece of code. Thats what I did with Dead Man's Cave. I couldn't program anything before I did Dead Man's Cave.

[Raphael]

I once made manual of copying and pasting what is in the help file, with other tools for GameMaker as well.  After I printed it, I accidentaly deleted, but I'll see if I can make it again.

[x]

Gravedigging, yeh!

(This is actually a good idea coincidentally)

[Silverwind]

I made a few video tutorials in the end: http://alstaffieri.com/gmguide.html

I'd love to make a few more if I ever get the time.