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FPSC Classic Product Chat / One Cat Coder: FPI Script Editor with Script Assistant

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keithml
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 16:28 Edited at: 11th Apr 2008 03:28
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Hi. I'm releasing the first Beta of a code editor made specifically for FPI script. I designed it for both the beginning scripter and the advanced.

For the Beginner

For the beginner, there is a coding assistant panel. It provides a dropdown of friendly versions of the commands and drop down boxes for the parameters where appropriate. Not only can you build your conditional and action section of each line of script in an easy natural language way, but it will also translate existing script into the easy to read and edit format. No longer are you limited to hunting down and piecing together scripts on the forums or the included ones, but you can tweak and create your own without a major learning curve.

For the Expert

For the advanced scripter, the application combines a fully functional syntax colored editor. Complete with tabbed windows and project files. Of course advanced scripters can use the coding assistant too. And to make it more flexible, the assistant can be switched between natural language and the native code. I often find the more complex lines are much easier to edit broken down into their components. And the drop down parameter lists (for the commands that it is appropriate) can be helpful instead of hunting through the manual.

Open Beta

I'm providing it as an open beta. It will run as a trial version with all the features enabled. I think it is pretty stable, but of course as always there are some bugs. Also, while I tried my best to add all of the FPI commands, if you see any I missed or if some have been added that are not in the manual, then let me know.

If you try it, leave me a note

I'd love to know what you think, good or bad. If you try it out, let me know what you think in the forum here. It's the only way I can improve it. I hope to turn this around and release it as soon as possible.


Features:

- Two-way Assisted Coding
- Natural Language (friendly)
- Native (actual commands)

- Syntax colored editor
- Tabbed windows
- Project Files to organize scripts
- Font support for customized view
- Undo, search/replace, line numbering

Version History
You can find the version in the about box. You do not have to uninstall to install a new version on top. Just redownload and install.

Beta 2: Fixes close file problem and some other odd things.
Beta 3: The Code Assistant is now hidden when no file is selected.

DOWNLOAD LINK

http://www.onecatweb.com/static/occoderfpsc2.htm

VISTA INSTALLATION NOTE
For the Beta version, only install in Vista into the default "apps" directory. It does not work correctly installed into the "Program Files" directory in Vista. This will be corrected for the final version.

THANKS!
Keith Leinenbach
One Man And A Cat Software
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keithml
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 16:33 Edited at: 10th Apr 2008 17:52
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Screen Shots: The Main Screen

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keithml
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 16:39 Edited at: 10th Apr 2008 16:43
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Natural/Native Code Assistant Screen Shots

Natural Language



Native Code



Natural Language Command Drop down

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Nickydude
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 16:44
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This looks great! Had a quick play but can't seem to move my conditions / actions over to the text window.

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keithml
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 16:50
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Full Featured Syntax Colored Editor

Of course, the meat and potatoes of any code development system is the editor. One Cat Coder provides a syntax color display customized for FPI script to aid your development efforts. Tabbed windows provide the ability to edit multiple files at once and if you wish to keep track of your files in groups, you can arrange your scripts in projects instead of having to open a set of files individually every time you wish to make a change. Find and replace, cut/copy/paste, undo/redo, line numbering, and customizable font display round out the basics.

Editor Screen Shots

The edit window



Keep your files in projects



Some options available

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keithml
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 16:52
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Nickydude,

The arrow button on the bottom of the code assistant syncs the assistant with the code editor. Just click it and the line will be transferred.

Keith
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xplosys
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 17:06 Edited at: 10th Apr 2008 17:06
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keithml,

This looks very well thought out and well done. It's not the way I work and not something I would use, but I did have a quick look at it. Just for you info, the attached image shows what I get when I try to close a file from the file menu.

Windows XP Pro.

Best.

fpsFREE.com - for FREE FPSC Content

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keithml
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 17:27 Edited at: 10th Apr 2008 17:35
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NOTE: Beta 2 now available

Oops. I made a quick change before I uploaded the beta. I fixed the problem. A new download is available. It is Beta 2. Uh, yeah... A bit sooner than I'd hoped ...

xplosys:

As far as "its not the way I work" goes. What type of features are you looking for? I'm definitely open to suggestions!

Also note, if you are a straight coder, you can always turn off the Coding Assistant. Then it provides tabbed editor support.

nickydude:

I made the button to sync the assistant with the code editor window a little more apparent. I assume it was not so apparent before. Do you think this helps or do you think people will still miss it?

Keith
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xplosys
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 17:52
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keithml,

Yeah, all I want when I script is notepad and a list of conditions/actions. I would make one, but having two monitors solves the problem.

If only we had a good list of working commands with better description/usage.

Best.

fpsFREE.com - for FREE FPSC Content
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Gunn3r
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 18:07
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This looks like a great program! I'll download this when I get a chance. Great job.

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Aertic
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 18:12
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I agree, fpi was my first language and when reading the Commands/actions I thought, "What the?" there not properly described enough.

If you could, then please do describe these actions/commands properly.
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Nickydude
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 19:44
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Sorry keith, I should have made it clearer, I WAS using the button at the bottom (first beta) but nothing was moving across. I'm on a different machine at the moment but will check out beta 2 as soon as I can.

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keithml
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 20:44
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Nickydude,

Oh Well...

Heh. Now its easier to find the button too ... It will work correctly in beta 2. I made a quick change and it messed up a number of things having to do with the editor window. Luckily it was easy to fix.

Let me know if you have any more problems.

Keith
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Nickydude
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 21:31 Edited at: 10th Apr 2008 21:32
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Where is the 2nd Beta? I used the first link but it's still seems to be V1.0. Also when installing I choose the second place to install (in C: programs) if that makes a difference. Here's a video of not being able to move the conditions/actions across: http://www.madladdesigns.co.uk/temp/fpi/fpi.html

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keithml
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 22:58
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Nickydude,

Thanks for the video, it helps a lot in telling whats going on. For curiosity, what program do you use?

As for Beta 2. I just checked. That is the program on the website. It says Beta 2 on the start up screen of the program and the about box. It also has a big bold SYNC button on the bottom instead of the arrow. Just for you I would try clearing your browser cache and redownloading to a different spot.

ALSO, if you have Vista, do not install to Program Files. Delete your current one just to make sure.

Keith
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Nickydude
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Posted: 10th Apr 2008 23:22
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Right, got Beta 2 (definitely see that button) but still not moving it over. I use XP Home and I've also tried installing it in the default path.

Also, when pressing the undo icon (arrow moving around to the left) I get a violation error at address 004BA0B0.

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keithml
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Posted: 11th Apr 2008 00:04 Edited at: 11th Apr 2008 00:43
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Nickydude,

Hmmm. Thats perplexing.

1)
First of all. So we are on the same page. Load in an FPI file. Then go to an existing line and try editing it. Does that work?

2)
Then insert a blank line in the editor and try adding one. Does that one work?

If you can capture video on it, that may help me again. I really appreciate your time here. Everything works fine here, undo and all.

one current bug:

Make sure you are choosing at least one action for your code line. The editor is not properly handling the case where only conditions are chosen. Of course this is not a valid code line since at least one action must be present to be valid, but Beta 3 will handle the case of no actions anyway.

Keith
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Nickydude
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Posted: 11th Apr 2008 00:54
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1: Yes that works...

2: and so does that.

I think I might know, you need to create a 'New File' before doing anything, this isn't automatically done when first loading so it seems I'm trying to add stuff into a script that hasn't be initialised yet.

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Nickydude
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Posted: 11th Apr 2008 00:57
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Can I also suggest to be able to create a new script without having to name and save it first? A sort of 'Clear' to start a new script.

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keithml
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Posted: 11th Apr 2008 01:07
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Good suggestion. I need to make it clear too, by hiding the conditions and actions when no file is up.

Glad it wasn't a bug! Not that there aren't any. But not being able to sync wouldn't be good...

Keith
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Nickydude
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Posted: 11th Apr 2008 01:09
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Glad I could help.

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keithml
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Posted: 11th Apr 2008 03:33
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Beta 3 is out.

Change:
To avoid the confusion when no file is open I have hidden the conditions and actions when no file is active.

I know not much has been changed, but I might as well keep up with problems as we go.

Keith
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Punk13
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Posted: 11th Apr 2008 04:16
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NO WAY Im not a scripter but i can easily use this because i worked with the same arrangement for 4 years (rpg maker) this is awesome ThankYou

Punk13
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keithml
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Posted: 11th Apr 2008 19:52
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Thanks Punk13. Let me know if you have any problems with the software. I'm trying to get all of the bugs out of the beta so I can release the full version.

Keith
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chuckie
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Posted: 13th Apr 2008 11:58
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Hi Keith, I think this is an outstanding piece of software!

I must admit to constantly being frustrated trying to remember every codeword for different languages I'm trying to learn and the Natural Language Code Assistant is just what I've been looking for.

I've been testing it for a couple of hours and would like to offer the following suggestions:

Categorise the Conditions and Actions drop down selections as there are quite a few options to scroll through - also add to the number of rows that drop down.

Add headings for the Code Assistant and Script Editor panels (as well as which state of the Assistant you're in), for example: Code Assistant (Natural Language), Code Assistant (Native Code), Script Editor.

Use a file browser, instead of a text field, for Actions that require external files, for example: "run FPI script by name"

Use value sliders in Conditions/Actions wherever appropriate, instead of text fields, to limit values between valid ranges.

Add a Decription Panel between the Actions panel and Sync button, to further describe what the chosen Condition/Action does, as well as its range of parameters.

Expand the scan code options in the "scancodekeypressed" condition to include all available keys.

Change "Use friendly names" to "Use natural language" in the Options menu for consistency.

Add a Sync button going the other way (from the Script Editor to the Code Assistant) available as an alternate option from the Options menu, to avoid automatically losing work done in the Code Assistant whenever clicking on another line in the Script Editor or resizing the window.

"New Project" creates a folder in your FPSC scripts folder named your project name and saves each scipt within that folder, rather than in the main scripts folder, which may get messy very quickly!

Again, congratulations on this great piece of software!

Incidentally, have you thought of replicating this paradigm to other, more popular, languages such as Javascript, Actionscript, CSS, etc?

Cheers
Chucky

Pentium 4 2.4GHz, 512MB RAM, nVidia GeForce FX5200 128MB, Forceware 93.71, DirectX9c (Dec2006), Windows XP Pro SP2.
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chuckie
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Posted: 13th Apr 2008 13:02
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Hi again Keith

I just found a bug: When I select Help > About and leave the About box the disappear on its own, I can no longer click on the main program window.

Cheers
Chucky

Intel Core2 Duo 2.40GHz | 2GB RAM | Windows Vista Home Premium | ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600XT
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keithml
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Posted: 14th Apr 2008 00:27
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Thanks Chuckie. I'll fix the About bug and look over your suggestions.

I really appreciate the time you took here. There are some great suggestions and I'll do my best to accommodate a good number of them, especially the file box popup, consistency issues (natural language, state header, and the problem of losing your work in the code assistant if you change lines.

The others may take a bit more thought and time. Some of your suggestions, such as categorizing the actions/conditions, I was planning to wait until the next version, but you never know, I may just implement it. I am evaluating the time it will take to fill out a more complete description as well (this seems to be a popular request) and have an idea of how I could do this, but this is also going to have to wait a bit since it is quite time consuming to come up with the descriptions. As far as presenting it, I'd probably use a pop-up for this, but I'm not sure.

As for other languages, I am considering some. I have been working in parallel on one relating to a set of popular languages used for the web. The scope of the project is a bit larger though.

Thanks again!
Keith
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gtplyr
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Posted: 14th Apr 2008 03:08 Edited at: 14th Apr 2008 03:18
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Wow, downloading right now, perhaps this will help me and my impatience with this language. I'll let you know if i have any issues

Edit: Issue #1 it will not install, it says there are errors in the installer file.
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keithml
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Posted: 14th Apr 2008 06:27
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That would be an issue

I would redownload the file. It happens sometimes. But before you do, make sure you clear your browser's cache or it may just redownload the same corrupt file.

If you are installing into Vista though, make sure you:

1) Install into the default c:\apps directory (NOT Program Files).
2) Do not run the installer from the root directory. This is a permission thing.

Let me know if you still have problems.

Keith
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gtplyr
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Posted: 25th Apr 2008 22:38
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redownloaded it, and its still telling me that there are problems with the install file:

then it says
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keithml
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Posted: 26th Apr 2008 02:06
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I am not sure what is wrong. Most people haven't encountered installation problems. The new beta should be out in the beginning of next week with a whole host of requested features. Hopefully that will work for you. Sorry.

Keith
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