Programming languages...?

iDerpy

Hi, I'm new to GameSalad and would like to know whether there are any programming languages that need to be learnt for Gamesalad development. If there aren't, is there going to be future implementation of programming languages as an extension to Gamesalad? For example, the Unreal Development Kit has an 'UnrealKismet' feature which is drag and drop coding, but they also allow full fledged coding in UnrealScript which is C++.

Thanks!

gyroscope

@iDerpy

Welcome to GSC and the Forums. :-) There aren't any programming languages to use, as such in GSC, and I doubt there ever will be, even as a plug-in.

Part of the "joy" of GameSalad Creator (as well as a selling point) is that there is no coding needed. Having said that, if you are fairly proficient in any high level language like any one of the BASIC variations, then you'll feel at home using the Rules and Behaviours. The Rules and the way things are laid out through drag and drop is close to some of the principles and elements of BASIC programs (e.g DarkBasic, VisualBasic (if they're still around); RealBasic, LiveCode, etc,.

For instance, "When" is equivalent to "if", attributes are variables, game attributes are global variables, self attributes are local variables; "Otherwise" is "else"; the flow of Rules is the same structure as a BASIC language; functions are the same and utilised fairly similarly, strings are text attributes, etc. You could say that Rules and dragging out other behaviours in GSC are a type of object-oriented programming.

So to summarize, great if you've knowledge of something like BASIC – you'll feel at home in no time; but if no experience in any programming language, it might be advisable to check-up on coding structures, understanding of variables and constants, etc., of general high level programming system.

GSC Rules are much easier to use compared to BASIC coding, and give a lot of similar results in a quicker time; and super easy-peasy compared to something like C++ or Objective-C.

Hope that's helped.

iDerpy

Thanks for the advice, I think Gamesalad would be a great platform for me and my friend to launch into mobile development. Thank you for your insightful reply

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