SE4 Scripting in Python (templatizer again)

[Q]

Python = snake that strangles its prey before it devours it.

I don't think I want this in my computer

[Fyron]

Python = hilarious British comedian. Why don't you want your computer filled with sketches about silly walks and dead parrots?

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Isn't it also a gun?

[Ed Kolis]

Thread necromancy strikes again! :twisted:
I was thinking of returning the templatizer to Java, and making it more user-friendly, more along the lines of DavidG's SE4Modder. Version 6 (which is still in beta) of Java allows you to mix Java and Javascript (http://java.sun.com/developer/techni...ing/index.html for details), which means that I could have it so the user interface is in Java, but all the template code (the code that the user actually writes) is in Javascript. So you might have some field, say, Tonnage Structure, with a text box where you can type in a formula, or hit buttons to insert variables. Since Javascript in Java 6 can manipulate real Java objects, I might even make it so you can type field names (such as Tonnage) into other fields (such as Tonnage Structure) - or drag fields around - to make "references" between them. I'd have to prevent circular references, of course, but that shouldn't be too hard - just give each field a reference tree and make sure no object appears in its own reference tree!
Of course, this might all be rather irrelevant with SE5 coming out in the next month or so... any thoughts?

[Dizzy]

Wow, that'd be a nice tool! I hope you do it. I'm sure there will still be a lot of SE4 still going on for a long while...

[Captain Kwok]

I would suggest that you duplicate the entry from the data file, with editable fields that can take either hard text or a formula. I would just supply the user with the allowable formula elements in the help file etc. and a few variables like "level" or "range". The user would then select from a drop box the number of levels to make for the item and then the program exports the entries to a .txt file that can be copy/pasted into the appropriate data file.

[Fyron]

Drag and drop for everything seems like wasted effort for something like this. If you are savvy enough to use exotic formulas for generating data files, you don't need no stinkin' drag and drop in a cluttered interface. Something like Kwok's suggestion would IMO be better; even "hard text" is still technically a formula.

Why not just keep the template code in Python? You can have the templatizer write out python scripts, then execute them. In fact, this would be preferable, basically building a front-end to the current python templatizer. This way, advanced users can just make/edit the python scripts directly. In also has the advantage of not wasting time duplicating all of your previous efforts.

[Ed Kolis]

What do you mean "duplicate the entry from the data file"?

[Captain Kwok]

Basically your interface consists of a replica of the data file entry, with the exception of textboxes or lists for data entry.
Code:

---

Name                  := *************

Description           := *************

Pic Num               := *************

Tonnage Space Taken   := *************

Tonnage Structure     := *************

Cost Minerals         := 450 + ([%Level%] * 50) <--- Example Formula

Cost Organics         := *************

Cost Radioactives     := *************

Vehicle Type          := *************

Supply Amount Used    := *************

Restrictions          := *************

General Group         := *************

Family                := *************

Roman Numeral         := Auto

Custom Group          := *************

Number of Tech Req    := [Droplist of numbers?]

Tech Area Req 1       := *************

Tech Level Req 1      := *************

Number of Abilities   := [Droplist of numbers]

Ability 1 Type        := [Droplist of Abilites?]

Ability 1 Descr       := ********************************

Ability 1 Val 1       := *************

Ability 1 Val 2       := *************

Weapon Type           := [Droplist]

---

[narf poit chez BOOM]

I like the idea of not changing the templatizer, just making a front-end to generate scripts.