Re: creating a game ... ? (help!)
- Posted by Patrick Barnes <mrtrick at gmail.com> Sep 21, 2004
- 525 views
On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 04:49:00 +0000, Ray Smith <smithr at ix.net.au> wrote: > I haven't really followed this thread to well ... but (famous last > words) ... > > The "Beginners Guide To Euphoria" is the only documentation I have seen > for Euphoria which helps a non programmer learn how to program. > (It's obviously out of date and I personally don't like the format) > > Because of this I don't beleive Euphoria is the best choice of languages > for a complete newbie to learn. I'd have to disagree with you there... I "taught" myself how to write qbasic when I was young... I wrote a number of programs in it, and though to myselft: "I know how to write qbasic". Unfortunately, my knowledge of simple programming paradigms, like arrays, subroutines, even the use of "else if" was non-existent. Euphoria opened my eyes. I've taught a few people how to program, always using Euphoria. They pick it up quickly, and actually understand program paradigms much more clearly than I ever did using qbasic. However, in some ways you're right - while it's an easy language to be taught, it's quite difficult to download the language and just teach yourself. Now, I haven't downloaded the installer for a long time, so some of my comments may be a little out of date... but here's a couple of things Rob needs to change in the installer (are you listening, Rob?) 1. Drop ed.ex. I'm sorry Rob, I know you created it, and have an attachment to it, but it's DOS-based, it uses a completely unfamiliar set of shortcut keys, and it's DOS-based - It's not 1989 anymore... Use the quite excellent MEditor, or even create your own - it doesn't need to be much more complex than Notepad, that windows interface gives people a familiar sight. 2. Automatically associate .ex, .exw, .e, and .ew files with ex.exe and ex.exw, and the editor. For .ex and .exw, make executing the default action, and "Edit" selectable from the context menu. For .e and .ew, just have "Edit". Nobody likes batch files. Lobelia, if you're still listening... How far did you get in trying to understand Euphoria? 1. Could you get any of the programs running? 2. Could you open the editor, find an existing program, and run it? 3. Could you run all of the programs in the Tutorial folder, and trace through them? 4. Could you make your own simple program? What number can you get up to before you answer no? If it's 1: Ask us, we'll tell you how to set up the file associations so that you can just double-click on a Euphoria program to run it, and right click to edit. If it's 2: I suggest you download and use M Editor: http://palacebuilders.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/emeditor.html It's a windows based editor that is much much much easier to use than the program that comes in the installer package. If it's 3: If you can't run the program, check again step 1... If you can't trace through?... Tell us the specific problem, and we'll try to help. If it's 4: Make sure you're not being too ambitious... Can you make a program that will say "Hello" (trivial program) ?
puts(1,"hello") </eucode If you can do that, try adding to it. Make it test the value of a constant, and use an if statement to decide what the program will print. Try having it read in a name from the keyboard, and take action on the name entered.
If you're beyond 1-4, and you think I'm being condescending, then tell us what is causing the problem, we'll try to help. Remember, make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew. Small steps help ensure that when you do write your game, you know what is and isn't possible, and can design it appropriately.
MrTrick }}}
