ZScript Discussion

[Major Cooke]

I tossed up D4D's key picker upper on the ThinkerIterator page.

Also, Graf, I'm looking forward to the merge.

[Graf Zahl]

Actually, that particular use case is better suited for a BlockThingsIterator because it needs to look at far less actors...

[Major Cooke]

True, but at the time it was made, BlockThingsIterator didn't exist. It was made at least like... a fw weeks to a month before it came into existence.

But I need more information on how BlockThingsIterator works first before I can use it. What I cannot tell is, is there an internal range or do we need to perform the range ourselves?

[Major Cooke]

Another quick question, is it possible to compare colors?

Code: Select all

if (bloodcolor == "Red")

If not, could there be a function which allows comparing?

Code: Select all

if (CompareColor(bloodcolor,"Red"))

[Graf Zahl]

True, but at the time it was made, BlockThingsIterator didn't exist. It was made at least like... a fw weeks to a month before it came into existence.

But I need more information on how BlockThingsIterator works first before I can use it. What I cannot tell is, is there an internal range or do we need to perform the range ourselves?

Right now it does not do an internal range check, but that should be added for performance reason because every return that can be discarded on the native side is a win.

[Graf Zahl]

Another quick question, is it possible to compare colors?

Code: Select all

if (bloodcolor == "Red")

If not, could there be a function which allows comparing?

Code: Select all

if (CompareColor(bloodcolor,"Red"))

Careful. Bloodcolor has a palette index mixed in, it's not directly comparable, you'd have to do 'if(bloodcolor & 0xffffff) == color("Red")) to mask that out.

[Major Cooke]

Careful. Bloodcolor has a palette index mixed in, it's not directly comparable, you'd have to do 'if(bloodcolor & 0xffffff) == color("Red")) to mask that out.

Hmm, perhaps a dedicated function inside Actor.txt might be best so people can actually do that.

Right now it does not do an internal range check, but that should be added for performance reason because every return that can be discarded on the native side is a win.

All of them could use this.

[Major Cooke]

I'm curious, how does 'frame' work? Seems like it's performing character to int conversions internally.

[Xaser]

Fortunately, it's pretty simple: Frame 0 is 'A', 1 is 'B', 2 is 'C', and so on.

[Major Cooke]

That's actually perfect for my needs. Thanks!

[Major Cooke]

I've gone ahead and started the build for what might be the last GZZScript build then.

It won't be the last. This is merely the first part of ZScript to come. Graf's going to continue developing ZScript on the separated branch, from the looks of it.

[Leonard2]

I also think we can now declare most of what is there final with no more need to change. This also means, once a decision is made, nothing in there can be changed anymore.

Please NO.
I think MANY things about the language should be seriously discussed before making the mistake of "having it final" again and make the whole thing turn into DECORATE 2.0.
I recall countless times where you said "zscript is still in the works so let's not discuss this now" which in the end only allowed you to avoid important matters that need discussion.
Ironically the urge to make sure everything is right here is only caused by this "let's make everything final" mentality which I never understood.

[Xaser]

I think MANY things about the language should be seriously discussed

Like what?

[Note: I'm asking earnestly. I'm curious to know what discussion points are still on the table, if any.]

[Major Cooke]

Leonard, he means for phase 1. And he's probably just talking about the Actor part.

[Graf Zahl]

@Leonard:

If you have issues, please name them. I can only go by the feedback I get from users and so far nobody has told me that stuff needs to be reviewed.