Starting JASS

[Ayanami]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but here goes. Officially starting from today, I've started learning JASS. I've read about 4 tutorials from this site. I get all the basic stuffs, like what a function is, about use of loops, local variables, etc. However, I'm not quite sure what I should do now. Do I read more tutorials or start on something more practical?

 

[SineCosine]

Umm..
I think what I did last time was to just think of some spell and then Google around until I figured out how to do it in Jass and just code it from scratch.

So, make the spell packs that you're so awesome with in Jass xD
That should help you learn much more quickly.

[EDIT]
Then, when you're done with it, post your code up in the forums and ask for critique ._.

 

[Lyerae]

A good thing to do is convert and optimize* any GUI spells/systems you've made.

(*Optimize meaning remove BJ's, make MUI/MPI, etc)

 

[BlackRose]

A good thing to do is convert and optimize* any GUI spells/systems you've made.

(*Optimize meaning remove BJ's, make MUI/MPI, etc)

NO. Don't do that. That's terrible! You're better off just recoding the entire thing -- when you know how to. I would ust practise, open unprotected maps (Blizzards (Some have JASS)) and look for examples. Try start making simple stuff (Spells?) and try move on to make them MUI or something using hashtables...

But you'll WANT NewGen, it's a must... the highlighting, the non-crashing syntax checkor, and stuff like that.

- Blah, just my senseless nonsense.

(Loops are basically For Each Integer A)
(Start by making something simple, like, like, a area stun! Dummy unit to cast warstomp).

 

[Ayanami]

Hmm, is a simple knock back spell do-able?

 

[SineCosine]

I am absolutely sure that Glenphir will (Or already has) get used to Jass quickly.
Telling him to make simple things wouldn't help him learn much =/

[EDIT]
Use T32 for the knock-back, gogo!

 

[BlackRose]

You can try that and we can check Go for it

Any errors just post.

Well then, you never know.... make a generic Knockback then Not too simple IMO. Not too hard IMO.

 

[SineCosine]

It's not hard. Period =P
</troll-ish post>

 

[Lyerae]

NO. Don't do that. That's terrible! You're better off just recoding the entire thing.

I meant that to learn the natives...

 

[Crazy_Dead]

Want to learn vJASS or JASS?

Anyway:

I learned from reading others systems(spells), and use alot of [ljass]call BJDebugMsg("My Msg")[/ljass]. :thup:

 

[Bribe]

Normal BJDebugMsg can be frustrating to work with. I use my own debugging module to run complex behaviors that get repetitive to type each time. This is vanilla JASS; does not require any preprocessors:

// ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
// Debugging utilities
// ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
//
//  Place this module at the top of your map script for precedence.
//
//
//  Functions:
//
//
//  call DebugMsg("test")
//  ---- Displays a debug message very neatly.
//
//  call DebugHandle("last created unit", bj_lastCreatedUnit)
//  ---- Displays "null" if agent does not exist, or displays its handle id.
//
//  call DebugBool("activator", active)
//  ---- Displays "true" or "false" on a boolean.
//
//  call DebugInt("count", i)
//  ---- Faster way to debug an integer.
//
//  call DebugReal("damage", r)
//  ---- Faster way to debug a real value.
//
//  =============================================================================
    
    
    function DebugMsg takes string s returns nothing
        call DisplayTimedTextToPlayer(GetLocalPlayer(), 0.00, 0.00, 60.0, "|cffa0522d#\n#   |cffbbbbbb" + s + ".|r\n|cffa0522d#")
    endfunction
    
    function DebugHandle takes string s, agent a returns nothing
        if( a == null )then
            call DebugMsg(s + " is 'null'")
        else
            call DebugMsg(s + " is '"+I2S(GetHandleId(a))+"'")
        endif
    endfunction
    
    function DebugBool takes string s, boolean b returns nothing
        if( b )then
            call DebugMsg(s + " is 'true'")
        else
            call DebugMsg(s + " is 'false'")
        endif
    endfunction
    
    function DebugInt takes string s, integer i returns nothing
        call DebugMsg(s + " is '"+I2S(i)+"'")
    endfunction
    
    function DebugReal takes string s, real r returns nothing
        call DebugMsg(s + " is '"+R2S(r)+"'")
    endfunction
    
    
//  =============================================================================

 

[Crazy_Dead]

    
    function DebugMsg takes string s returns nothing
        call DisplayTimedTextToPlayer(GetLocalPlayer(), 0.00, 0.00, 60.0, "|cffa0522d#\n#   |cffbbbbbb" + s + ".|r\n|cffa0522d#")
    endfunction

-->

    
    function DebugMsg takes string s, player whichPlayer returns nothing
        call DisplayTimedTextToPlayer(whichPlayer, 0.00, 0.00, 60.0, "|cffa0522d#\n#   |cffbbbbbb" + s + ".|r\n|cffa0522d#")
    endfunction

?

 

[Bribe]

Why would you think that's useful? I'm curious. A debug should only be tested singleplayer, hence GetLocalPlayer() is perfect.

 

[kingkingyyk3]

Ok, the first step would be creating simple text message on your screen.
The second step would be creating an effect on units.
Third step, learn struct.
Next? Try to creating some damaging stuffs and take a look at those simple spells(no timer, for sure).
Next? Optimize your spells with efficient coding.
Don't touch the timers first, you will learn it bit by bit.
Any problem? Feel free to ask.

 

[13lade619]

ok here's what i use vJASS for that GUI doesnt.. i think you'll find them useful too.

1) Better group handling, you may use the loop or the filter styles for more efficient group handling.

2) Timer Systems, whether it utilizes function or method callbacks theyre always useful for periodic effects.

3) Indexing Systems, every spellmakers friend and somewhat an upgrade to handle vars. You can assign multiple values/properties on a unit and then pass them to any other triggers or functions. Very useful for buff/activation tracking.

4) Projectile/Effect Systems, if you want some cool visuals for your spells they're the way to go.

and lastly, what's different in vJASS from GUI is that there are more resources for you to use out there that other people had made.
lack of such systems in GUI makes it more tedious to code.

and for me making use of others' systems doesnt make you any less of a spellmaker, it saves you time.
but if you want to code every single effect/dummy movement in your spells then go ahead.

 

[Dinowc]

yeah you should get NewGen cause it practically does half the work (due to highlighting 'n stuff)

I suggest to do instant spells first (so you don't have to use structs and timers to make them MUI)

my first spell was AoE sleep (Slithice's ulti)

ofc it was bad since I created the dummies dynamically and used the FirstOfGroup() function

do simple stuff first, try to make codes as optimized as possible and when you get used to it, start doing more advanced things

Hmm, is a simple knock back spell do-able?

it is if it doesn't have to be MUI

 

[tooltiperror]

Can I recommend you use an autoindexer for it?

 

[Ayanami]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I'll go for an instant spell first then, something like a mass sleep

 

[tooltiperror]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I'll go for an instant spell first then, something like a mass sleep

Make sure you remember to null everything. And structs will make everything easier if you decide to use them.

//! fix alignment
  struct Data
      integer tick
      string model
  endstruct 
  function Something takes nothing returns nothing
      local Data data1=Data.create()
      local Data data2=Data.create()
      set data1.tick=343615
      set data2.tick=6235
      set data1.model="some//model//path//dot.mdx"
  endfunction

 

[Ayanami]

Make sure you remember to null everything. And structs will make everything easier if you decide to use them.

//! fix alignment
  struct Data
      integer tick
      string model
  endstruct 
  function Something takes nothing returns nothing
      local Data data1=Data.create()
      local Data data2=Data.create()
      set data1.tick=343615
      set data2.tick=6235
      set data1.model="some//model//path//dot.mdx"
  endfunction

Could you do a quick explanation of a struct?