generic image
Processing...
  • Games
  • Catalog
  • Develop
  • Robux
  • Search in Players
  • Search in Games
  • Search in Catalog
  • Search in Groups
  • Search in Library
  • Log In
  • Sign Up
  • Games
  • Catalog
  • Develop
  • Robux
   
ROBLOX Forum » Game Creation and Development » Scripters
Home Search
 

Re: Drag and Drop Scripting - What Do You Think?

Previous Thread :: Next Thread 
ArceusInator is not online. ArceusInator
Joined: 10 Oct 2009
Total Posts: 30553
04 May 2013 11:19 PM
I'm getting a start on a plugin that would allow people to take pre-made segments of code out of a box and drag them into the script. There would be editable portions of the segments and you can drag different related elements around the screen. To get an idea of what I'm talking about, imagine creating a hello world script:

Drag a print segment into the editor
>print()
Right Click the segment, "Add Argument", then click "String" in a submenu
Type "Hello"
>print("Hello")
Oh, wait, we forgot the rest!
Right click "Hello", "Edit Argument"
Type ", World"
>print("Hello, World")
Oh, wait, we forgot the punctuation!
Right click the string argument, "Concatenate With", then "String"
Type "!"
>print("Hello, World" .. "!")



The idea behind this is to teach beginners how to use roblox's API, proper syntax, readable code, and how to properly use elements of code such as variables, functions, events, loops, etc. I imagine tips displaying every so often to tell people if there's an easier way to do something, also documentation on every single segment so they're never confused.

Sound like a good idea? Any thoughts or opinions?
Report Abuse
18cwatford is not online. 18cwatford
Joined: 08 Oct 2009
Total Posts: 5410
04 May 2013 11:20 PM
I've heard this many times, still the same response;

It's a really good way to script and teach them to script, but I really think its more of a teaching tool than a normal tool, and there are places where it can go wrong.

_________________________________________________________________________
I possess 15K+ ROBUX and 811 tickets.
Report Abuse
RyanDolan123 is not online. RyanDolan123
Joined: 05 Mar 2009
Total Posts: 17919
04 May 2013 11:21 PM
Interesting...

If you make this I will give you +47 respect
Report Abuse
ArceusInator is not online. ArceusInator
Joined: 10 Oct 2009
Total Posts: 30553
04 May 2013 11:24 PM
"I really think its more of a teaching tool than a normal tool, and there are places where it can go wrong."

The idea is for it to teach people. Far too often I see people on SH who have absolutely no idea what they're doing.
Report Abuse
pwnedu46 is not online. pwnedu46
Joined: 23 May 2009
Total Posts: 7534
05 May 2013 12:00 AM
I think it's good for learning because you can focus on program flow and logic without being bothered by those pesky syntax errors. That being said, it does have its limitations, and is NOT a good substitute for learning the syntax once you have a grip on the basics.
Report Abuse
DrHaximus is not online. DrHaximus
Joined: 22 Nov 2011
Total Posts: 8410
05 May 2013 12:02 AM
Programming isn't really something that is easy to use, like your example with printing strings.

If I have to click multiple times to do something as simple, straight forward things such as that, I wouldn't use it at all. It wouldn't compare to simply typing it.
Report Abuse
cntkillme is not online. cntkillme
Joined: 07 Apr 2008
Total Posts: 44956
05 May 2013 12:03 AM
This just gave me idea, if no one has already done it, but make like a VB program that can help you "generate" scripts. Like: insert function would add a function (with textfield as name) and whatnot.
Report Abuse
DrHaximus is not online. DrHaximus
Joined: 22 Nov 2011
Total Posts: 8410
05 May 2013 12:04 AM
Sorry about my last post, the first sentence didn't have a correct structure compared to what I had in mind.
Report Abuse
Quenty is not online. Quenty
Joined: 03 Sep 2009
Total Posts: 9316
05 May 2013 12:08 AM
Learning the concept is more important than learning the syntax. Way to go. :D

Report Abuse
xXxMoNkEyMaNxXx is not online. xXxMoNkEyMaNxXx
Joined: 03 Oct 2008
Total Posts: 3120
05 May 2013 03:06 AM
I remember I thought of the same thing a few years ago... with a monstrous failure: http://www.roblox.com/EZScript-GUI-programming-place?id=44707208
Please don't judge my two year old code e.e

I'd like to see this if it gets done! :)
Report Abuse
nickmaster24 is not online. nickmaster24
Joined: 04 Oct 2008
Total Posts: 8906
05 May 2013 09:27 AM
Reminds me of Alice. It was created for Java and was made by Carnegie Mellon. I hated using it in school.
Report Abuse
apdapreturns is not online. apdapreturns
Joined: 31 Mar 2012
Total Posts: 1627
05 May 2013 09:27 AM
I think drag and drop scripting is horrible
Report Abuse
dekkonot is not online. dekkonot
Joined: 22 Dec 2010
Total Posts: 6685
05 May 2013 11:13 AM
It would make the overall quality of this forum drop, but you'd probably get a pat on the back from the admins.

~ Linguam latinam est optimum ~
Report Abuse
ArceusInator is not online. ArceusInator
Joined: 10 Oct 2009
Total Posts: 30553
05 May 2013 11:46 AM
"If I have to click multiple times to do something as simple, straight forward things such as that, I wouldn't use it at all. It wouldn't compare to simply typing it."

That's why I've decided to use a right-click menu, so people won't get annoyed by having to move their mouse across the screen. Also, there will be a button that will put it into type mode so, if you find something that the editor can't do, you can just type it in.

Also, I have plans for warnings. The plugin will procedurally compile the script and tell you if something doesn't seem right. Imagine the following code

x = tick()%1 -- x is a number
y = x < 0.5 -- y is a bool

if y then
z = game -- z is a DataModel
else
z = 4 -- z is in a superposition of being a DataModel and a Number
end

if z.JobId == 1 then -- z may not always have the property "JobId", put a warning here


Sound cool?
Report Abuse
dekkonot is not online. dekkonot
Joined: 22 Dec 2010
Total Posts: 6685
05 May 2013 11:48 AM
Seems legit.

~ Linguam latinam est optimum ~
Report Abuse
Quenty is not online. Quenty
Joined: 03 Sep 2009
Total Posts: 9316
05 May 2013 11:58 AM
With this, programming structures/logical control structures should be easy, but data structures and storing data a pain.
Report Abuse
digpoe is not online. digpoe
Joined: 02 Nov 2008
Total Posts: 9092
05 May 2013 01:41 PM
Reminds me of Scratch.

Lua is just not the environment for a drag-and-drop way of programming.
Report Abuse
LPGhatguy is not online. LPGhatguy
Forum Moderator
Joined: 27 Jun 2008
Total Posts: 4725
05 May 2013 02:08 PM
I started a project for this with a visual editor, but I never finished that functionality because "snapping" the pieces together was rather difficult.

I would be ALL for this and might take another crack at it if someone reminds me.

Imagine the possibilities if one could upload "modules" that people could use to create games with seamlessly! The game engine itself could be loaded from InsertService to receive constant updates and people who can't script could use it to make places with functionality!
Report Abuse
ArceusInator is not online. ArceusInator
Joined: 10 Oct 2009
Total Posts: 30553
05 May 2013 02:58 PM
"With this, programming structures/logical control structures should be easy, but data structures and storing data a pain."

How so? I don't wish for there to be very many things you can't do with this.
Report Abuse
BrandonFireflower is not online. BrandonFireflower
Joined: 09 Feb 2010
Total Posts: 731
05 May 2013 03:21 PM
I recommended that you use Scratch before you start scripting in one of my LuaLearners blog posts - if you could do this and have it be *cough* actually, good, I'd support it all the way. I'd be willing to help, but inb4meeloslaw.
Report Abuse
Riderj is not online. Riderj
Joined: 15 Aug 2011
Total Posts: 1534
05 May 2013 03:24 PM
Pretty sure agentfirefox made a place that implements this type of scripting, just not sure he completely finished it.
Report Abuse
ArceusInator is not online. ArceusInator
Joined: 10 Oct 2009
Total Posts: 30553
05 May 2013 05:01 PM
@Everyone talking about scratch

I've seen scratch before, but I looked at it again to make sure I know what I'm talking about. From what I can tell, scratch is drag and drop scripting in its most radical form. I have yet to see one place where you can actually type something in, everything is a drop down menu, and there are very few places for creativity. I'll not event mention that nasty UI - they don't even use line numbers.

My drag and drop plugin isn't going to be a tool that replaces scripting to make it easier, it's going to be there to help people learn how scripting works without having to memorize names and syntax (they'll learn those after repeated use). Also, scratch is a way of making games. This will be a way of writing scripts.

I really should think of a name so I don't have to keep saying "this".
Report Abuse
thedestroyer115 is not online. thedestroyer115
Joined: 19 Dec 2010
Total Posts: 11546
05 May 2013 05:05 PM
No, I do not like it. If they're going to make the effort to learn how to drag and drop code to create something then they should just learn the regular way.
Report Abuse
ArceusInator is not online. ArceusInator
Joined: 10 Oct 2009
Total Posts: 30553
05 May 2013 05:07 PM
@thedestroyer

You may have lateposted, but this will not be a tool to replace scripting. This is a teaching tool. It's meant to allow people to learn how to write code without forcing them to memorize a bunch of names beforehand.
Report Abuse
Anaminus is not online. Anaminus
Top 100 Poster
Joined: 29 Nov 2006
Total Posts: 5945
05 May 2013 05:09 PM
You should make a post in Scripting Helpers so that you'll get feedback from people who would actually use it. This forum doesn't really contain your target audience.
Report Abuse
Previous Thread :: Next Thread 
Page 1 of 1
 
 
ROBLOX Forum » Game Creation and Development » Scripters
   
 
   
  • About Us
  • Jobs
  • Blog
  • Parents
  • Help
  • Terms
  • Privacy

©2017 Roblox Corporation. Roblox, the Roblox logo, Robux, Bloxy, and Powering Imagination are among our registered and unregistered trademarks in the U.S. and other countries.



Progress
Starting Roblox...
Connecting to Players...
R R

Roblox is now loading. Get ready to play!

R R

You're moments away from getting into the game!

Click here for help

Check Remember my choice and click Launch Application in the dialog box above to join games faster in the future!

Gameplay sponsored by:
Loading 0% - Starting game...
Get more with Builders Club! Join Builders Club
Choose Your Avatar
I have an account
generic image