Adventure Game Studio

Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Edwin Xie on Mon 18/10/2004 02:11:18

Title: Creating Programs....
Post by: Edwin Xie on Mon 18/10/2004 02:11:18
I am just wondering how you can create programs using whatever language AGS uses and then compile it into .exe files. Is there a program that I can use to do this? Something that can make a simple program would be fine. And doing this particular thing cannot involve using AGS to make the program.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: TerranRich on Mon 18/10/2004 02:13:08
What? Huh? Do you mean a programming language to make applications, besides AGS? There's C, C++, Java, Visual Basic...

But if you meant free programs, then I have no idea, and I don't know if any exist.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Edwin Xie on Mon 18/10/2004 02:23:55
I meant C++ and I list of things you can type into the script (ex. operators, variables, etc....)
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: shbaz on Mon 18/10/2004 03:57:37
You define operators, variables, and etc yourself and use them in programming. If you really come to hard times you can always find snippets of useful code on sites that catalogue such things.

There are indeed free compilers (some open source). Do a google.

Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Edwin Xie on Mon 18/10/2004 04:14:28
Hmm, I found a Microsoft C++ Visual Toolkit..... does it do it?
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: shbaz on Mon 18/10/2004 04:26:41
Try opening it and find out.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Edwin Xie on Mon 18/10/2004 04:30:33
Ok, from that point on, this is confusing.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Edwin Xie on Mon 18/10/2004 05:05:12
Bah, Microsoft C++ Visual Toolkit, people who created programs, how did you do it? (it doesn't necessarily have to use C/C++)
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: shbaz on Mon 18/10/2004 05:31:47
Programming isn't something you just learn - it takes a lot of practice.

HowStuffWorks gives the basics and follows up with some links that will teach you more.

How C programming works (http://computer.howstuffworks.com/c.htm)
How Java works (http://computer.howstuffworks.com/program.htm)

Java is particularly interesting since it is multi-platform without any hassle. C can be multi-platform, but needs to be carefully constructed for that (Blender 3d is written in C, for example).
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Edwin Xie on Mon 18/10/2004 05:37:54
I haven't got there yet, I just need an easy program that can do it, then I search for tutorials.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: MrColossal on Mon 18/10/2004 06:28:09
Go to the library, my library has tons of books that teach you various programming languages from C++ to Java to Machine code

if you explain what kind of program you want to make maybe people can help better
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: shbaz on Mon 18/10/2004 06:38:12
He needs a compiler, they're out there, you just need to search for them in google or something.

Seriously, it isn't hard to find freeware apps. I have this philosophy of only helping people who are going to help themselves, otherwise you're just wasting everyone's time.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Al_Ninio on Mon 18/10/2004 06:40:57
This is a pretty good, and also free, C++ compiler:
http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html

Enjoy.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: modgeulator on Mon 18/10/2004 07:02:35
I think you need to describe exactly what sort of program you want to make before anyone can help you.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Mr Jake on Mon 18/10/2004 07:40:15
I agree with Al, that compiler is great and the manual is rather helpful (not the best, but you can ALWAYS find tutorials on pretty much anything programming related - this is the internet dont ya know)
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Rui 'Trovatore' Pires on Mon 18/10/2004 09:04:38
Edwin Xie, my friend, I think you made the mistake of assuming you can easily program outside AGS because you've mastered AGS scripting. ;) Just because it's the same language, doesn't mean it's in the same country, so to speak.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Mr Jake on Mon 18/10/2004 09:36:15
but once you know AGS you have a good starting ground for learning C/C++
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Rui 'Trovatore' Pires on Mon 18/10/2004 09:39:05
Indeed, but apparently it's not enough. ;)
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Bernie on Mon 18/10/2004 13:44:03
I think your best bet would be getting DevC++ or a similar compiler and downloading the Allegro SDK. (Without one of those, you can't do much).
Allegro is as easy as it gets when it comes to real programming, and focuses on 2D. It can do some 3D as well, but doesn't support hardware rendering.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: on Tue 19/10/2004 22:00:00
get libSDL, cygwin, emacs and GCC :D
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: BlackMan890 on Tue 19/10/2004 22:04:48
humm..  qbasic 4.5 is VERY easy and it can create an .exe file
i have it and i have been playing with it for a long time
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: BorisZ on Tue 19/10/2004 23:01:50
I would recomend Delphi (turbo pascal compiler). It is much easyer then C++ and much faster for finshing applications and it has the same possilbilites as C++.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Mr Jake on Wed 20/10/2004 07:41:44
theres always alot of fun to be had with Assembler :D
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Gilbert on Wed 20/10/2004 07:46:20
Or better, enter byte codes for raw machine language with a Hex editor. :=
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Edwin Xie on Thu 21/10/2004 06:07:31
Man, I need a tutorial on how to use compilers one of these days, the "command prompt" programs are confusing.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Edwin Xie on Thu 21/10/2004 06:37:39
                           
Replies:
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Quote from: redruM on Mon 18/10/2004 09:04:38
Edwin Xie, my friend, I think you made the mistake of assuming you can easily program outside AGS because you've mastered AGS scripting. ;) Just because it's the same language, doesn't mean it's in the same country, so to speak.

I have discovered that C++ is easier to use when I discovered the use of AGS's scripting. Right now, I am trying to expand to even more difficult C++ scripting.
Quote from: Hotspot on Mon 18/10/2004 09:36:15
but once you know AGS you have a good starting ground for learning C/C++
Yes, Hotspot, it serves as a beginning for me.



Quote from: shbazjinkens on Mon 18/10/2004 06:38:12
He needs a compiler, they're out there, you just need to search for them in google or something.

Seriously, it isn't hard to find freeware apps. I have this philosophy of only helping people who are going to help themselves, otherwise you're just wasting everyone's time.

I have searched a long time on the internet to find some compilers, yet each time, I fail to find a compiler that best matches what I need; I need an easy, and under 5MB download file. I do not want some of those command promt ones like Microsoft Virtual C++ Toolbox. I can't even figure out how to use them with no documentation. I am considering Bloodshed Dev-C++ though.

Questions about Replies:
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Quote from: Hotspot on Wed 20/10/2004 07:41:44
theres always alot of fun to be had with Assembler :D
Where do you get that?


Quote from: notloggedin on Tue 19/10/2004 22:00:00
get libSDL, cygwin, emacs and GCC :D
Where and what are those?


Quote from: Bernie on Mon 18/10/2004 13:44:03
I think your best bet would be getting DevC++ or a similar compiler and downloading the Allegro SDK. (Without one of those, you can't do much).
Allegro is as easy as it gets when it comes to real programming, and focuses on 2D. It can do some 3D as well, but doesn't support hardware rendering.
Hmm, Allegro? The library AGS uses?



Sorry if this post is very long, I had to catch up with those.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Mr Jake on Thu 21/10/2004 07:30:35
Assembler is a few... non-English language. I dont have a compiler but you can try searching for one, however be careful, dont format your harddrive -_-
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Gilbert on Thu 21/10/2004 07:39:46
Quote
Quote from: Hotspot on Wed 20/10/2004 07:41:44
theres always alot of fun to be had with Assembler :D
Where do you get that?
If you don't even want to mess with "command line compilers", you shouldn't care about Assembly, which is the most powerful weapon.

Quote
Quote from: Bernie on Mon 18/10/2004 13:44:03
I think your best bet would be getting DevC++ or a similar compiler and downloading the Allegro SDK. (Without one of those, you can't do much).
Allegro is as easy as it gets when it comes to real programming, and focuses on 2D. It can do some 3D as well, but doesn't support hardware rendering.
Hmm, Allegro? The library AGS uses?
Yes.

Actually you can find links for some of the tools from the "credits" section of the AGS manual already, at leasr for Allegro and DJGPP (a DOS port of GCC), probably these sites already have extensive helps and links for various related stuff already.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: LGM on Thu 21/10/2004 23:46:46
Okay.. You're best bet.. If you want to LEARN how to use C++, is to go get a nice book from your library, or buy one from the bookstore. Most of these books come with a companion CD, that usually includes an free-use educational version of Microsoft Visual Studio, or Bloodshed DevC++, or Borland (those are the most popular.)

The books go through everything. I mean everything.. So if you know the basics already, you CAN skip ahead a few chapters and get right into the good stuff.

You can't just expect to find a program and magically delve right into scripting. It takes alot of time and alot of dedication. And believe me, it's not as easy as AGS is (AGS Scripting isn't even that easy)

There are many good books out there that can help you. There are even some sites (not very good sites, mind you) out there. If you're hindered by 56k to download anything bigger than 5MB, then you should definitely look into buying a book.

Some good brands are: Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days or C++ for Dummies

I hope that helps.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Edwin Xie on Sat 23/10/2004 05:59:14
Hmm, I didn't know there was a book C++ for Dummies...
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Squinky on Sat 23/10/2004 06:09:58
Yep, I've got a copy of c++ for dummies....and it is soo way over my head....and I even have some experience in c++....but obviously not much....

I don't know if getting a c++ dummie book is so good at first. I would try googling for tutorials, theres some good ones out there just to get you started...
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Mr Jake on Sat 23/10/2004 08:40:43
I also ways C++ for Dummies, I like it, but tutorials are always a good place to start.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Edwin Xie on Sat 23/10/2004 21:29:38
Ok, I got to start going the library one of these days.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Snarky on Sat 23/10/2004 23:20:13
For people who know programming, it's easy to take for granted facts that may not be obvious to the non-expert.

OK, I'll take pity on you, Edwin Xie. This is how it works:

A programming language is a definition for how to write programs. It's not a specific program. If you want to write programs in C++ (for example), there are many different programs you can choose between to help you.

You probably should choose a programming language before you choose the specific program you'll use. AGS scripting is a lot like C, so that's a good one to start. If you choose C++ or Java you'll have to learn about Object Oriented Programming (OOP), which can be difficult.

One important thing to know is that making a Windows application is more difficult than making one that doesn't use Windows buttons, menus, scrollbars etc., and very difficult indeed in C or C++. If you want to make a Windows application, I strongly urge you to use Java, Visual Basic or C#.

When you do real programming, the simplest thing is usually to write your code in a text editor (like Notepad). You save your program as a text file. Then you run a program (called a compiler) that turns your text file into an .EXE program for you to run. (Usually you'll first have to rename the text file from .TXT to something else, like .CPP for a C++ program.)

You have to tell the compiler which file you want to turn into a program, and other options. Most compilers let you set these options through command line arguments. These aren't actually that difficult to use once you figure out the basics, and I'm sure people here will help you set the right options.

The other alternative is to get an integrated development environment (IDE). This is an application where you handle all the aspects of programming, from writing the code to compiling it. Most IDEs are for a specific programming language, but Visual Studio from Microsoft lets you program in several.

All IDEs are pretty large downloads, and many are expensive. They're really intended to make things quicker for experienced programmers. In my opinion, you're better off using a command line compiler, unless you want to make Windows programs.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Edwin Xie on Sun 24/10/2004 00:21:44
Uh, I created a calculator taken from the documentary of Bloodshed Dev C++ but that didn't compile.
Title: Re: Creating Programs....
Post by: Mr Jake on Sun 24/10/2004 07:56:17
why didnt it compile? Error?