Anyone remember "The Last One"?

[bjb007]

In the days before Windows (yes, before MSDOS even)
when there was C/PM I think, there was a programme
called "The Last One".

The name came from the claim that it was "the last
programme you'll ever need to buy."

I can't recall if it was "pre-mouse" but let's say you could
click the mouse to make choices and "The Last One"
would produce a programme of some sort to suit
you requirements.

Cut to the chase? OK

I want to do something similar except the programmes
(Rev scripts) will be in a specialized field. By selecting
radio buttons, checkboxes etc. code will be put into a
template file and made into a *.rev file which can then
be run with Rev.

Anyone done/tried this sort of thing?

If so, care to share?

PS Did you know that a mouse was an expensive
item in its early days? So expensive, in fact, that
early versions of AutoCad were bundled as a bonus.
Still, early version of AutoCad were useless anyway.

[malte]

Hi,

if you will want to do this as a standalone application you will most likely run into the scriptlimits. Basically dynamic scripting with rev is limited to 10 statements (and more if you use do). However this is not an easy task and will not produce easy to use code. A way around that would be to use a scripting library and minimize the need of building scripts on the fly. You can use pre scripted objects you can clone and even make them behave differently by setting / gettin custom properties of those objects. However, I think it is important to mention the script limits before you set up the project in the IDE and end up frustrated if it does not work the way you would expect as a standalone application.

All the best,

Malte

[bjb007]

Malte

I was thinking along the lines of writing an interface
which would give the user options and produce the
script and distributing the Rev Player so they can run it.

Would that make it easier?

[malte]

Basically, if the users were to have dynamically generated scripts, they would need an IDE. (Revolution Media at least). However you should be able to perform most tasks using a library stack and then calling handlers and functions in that library.

Hope that helps,

Malte

[bjb007]

Users will have my *.exe to make the script.

Don't see why it wouldn't run in the player since
they'll only be "assembling" the pieces I supply
them with.

Anyway I'll give it a try and see what happens.

Do you know anything about the player - could it
be called from a script?

[Mark]

bjb007,

As long as you make scripts outside the Revolution IDE, you have two problems. First of all, you won't be able to make and run scripts longer than 10 lines. It doesn't matter whether you use a standalone, the Revolution player or your own custom-made player. You just won't be able to do this.

Second, if you are creating scripts without the Revolution IDE and distributing these script as a standalone, with a Revolution Player or with your own custom-made player, you are violating the license conditions. You can't do this.

Moreover, an application that does everything... oh well... if it keeps of off the street...

Best,

Mark

[bjb007]

Mark

".. if you are creating scripts without the Revolution IDE and
distributing these script as a standalone with a Revolution Player
or with your own custom-made player you are violating the license
conditions. You can't do this."

What I propose is that there will be, say, 50 available functions in the script
and user mods. will entail picking which ones they want and what params
they want to use with them. The user won't be adding anything new to the
script. Programming any other way would be far beyond my abilities.

I wonder how many owners of Rev have even glanced at the license?
I don't even know if I have one. Perhaps you could tell me where I'll find it.
A quick search doesn't find anything in the Rev Studio directory.

It would be rather unusual to sell a programming environment without
setting out the limitations and license requirements before purchase
or at least within any time allowed for return and refund.

[BvG]

You agreed to the license during installation, and you can find it on the website somewhere (no idea where though).

As for what you want to do, you can use scripts however you want anywhere. But that is not what mark talked about. The limitation he talked about was about changing code while you are not in the ide.

[FourthWorld]

It's quite possible to make a 5GL in Rev, well within the license requirements.

The licensing restriction prevent people from delivering the full range of Rev scripting to end-users, but since your interest is in provide a very focused set of tasks personally I see no conflict and it should be relatively easy to do, providing of course what those tasks are.

Can you tell us a bit more about what your application will do?

[Mark]

Hi Richard,

Sure, as long as the programme performs a very focused set of tasks, there can't be a problem, but if bjb007 wants to create software to produce scripts that can ultimately do any task --the last software you want to buy-- there certainly is a problem. Not that I would want to constrain bjb007 in any way, as it would be very interesting to see such software being made with Rev.

Best,

Mark

[bjb007]

Richard and Mark

Thanks for your comments.

I'll have a go at doing a sample of what I propose and
make it available for comment.

I suppose the skinny is that it's just writing options
in an .ini file. Didn't think of this before as .ini files
aren't generally used for Win progs these days - it
all goes into the registry.

Any info on incorporating the Rev player with such
a prog?

If it's not possible at present I think it would be
a great addition to Rev.

Mark mentioned "your own player" but there's no
chance that I could make my own.

Any volunteers? Or anyone already done one?