+ + You should learn Python. +
++ + If you're not interested in learning a programming language, you should reconsider. + Computers are steadily taking over every industry (that they haven't already taken over), and their potential doesn't stop at work. + To completely unlock the potential of computers, you have to be able to tell the computer exactly what you want it to do. + Running a program restricts you to existing computer applications and to existing computer potential, but a computer language removes that restriction. + With that sort of power at your fingertips, you can do anything from making a rocket fly (model and full-scale) to hacking the Pentagon (not recommended) to annoying your siblings (true story). + Python is one of the easiest programming languages to learn, which makes it a great first language to grasp the basics of programming. + In fact, it's the first programming language I learned. + Python is also the second most popular programming language, according to StackOverflow's latest developer survey. + The most popular language, according to that survey, is JavaScript, but that's a + strange + beast that I try to stay away from. + If work and play aren't enough to make you interested in learning Python, I'm not sure what is. +
++ + GamecraftScripting provides Python integration for Gamecraft using IronPython, + allowing for Python code to use C# APIs like the + GamecraftModdingAPI. + That means you can write a Python script to do anything that mods like Pixi + and ExtraCommands do. + I usually use Python to test my C# mods before I release them publicly, so I call tell you first-hand that Python is just as powerful as C# without its complexity. + I've also used GamecraftScripting to prototype functionality, since Python is easy to write. + But you don't even need to know C# to write a Python script for Gamecraft. +
++ + The abilities that Python offers don't end at mods, either. + I've heard a few people expressing the desire for actual variables in Gamecraft, which can be done with one line of code in Python. + You can run a Python script to do things that in-game logic gates can't accomplish on their own. + Python scripts can even interface seamlessly with signals and wires using the GamecraftModdingAPI, and you can run a script from any console block for seamless integration. + This can be a powerful tool for gamemakers, with uses from teleporting a player to another player's location to creating automatically-generated game sections. + Gamecraft circuit system is Turing complete + (just like PowerPoint!), but it's limited to accessing in-game information. + But you could write a script to access the internet or to play a minigame using a level stored as a text file! + If you're feeling brave, you could even pass that information as data to be processed by Gamecraft logic circuits. + As a real-world example, I'm currently working on adding animations into a game using a combination of in-game logic, Pixi and Python to make it work. + The power of programming offers infinite capabilities for gamemakers and tinkerers alike. +
++ + Usually, when writing code, I use an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to make the task easier. + An IDE provides the user with an all-in-one solution to program and run code with sprinkles on top, like auto-complete and spell-checking. + Recently, I added some similar functionality to GamecraftScripting. + Using the ToggleIDE command, in modded Gamecraft, GamecraftScripting will enable some of the features an IDE would normally have. + The ToggleIDE functionality is still a work in progress, but right now it offers improved command auto-complete but you'll still need to use an external text-editor to write your code. + In the future, hopefully I can expand its functionality to editing text directly in Gamecraft, to make it a truly integrated IDE experience. + Once you've developed a script that you want to include with your game, there's also a tool to package the Python code into the game. + This tool simplifies distribution so you don't have to worry about getting another file to players somehow. + Using built-in tools, GamecraftScripting can make learning Python easy by replacing the IDE with the familiarity of Gamecraft and your preferred text editor. +
++ + Now that your head is bursting with the amazing possibilities that Python and GamecraftScripting offer, let me bring you back to Earth with some of its limitations. + GamecraftScripting's Python support is held back by IronPython's development speed, so GamecraftScripting only supports Python2.7, + which is officially unsupported by the Python Software Foundation as of January 2020, unfortunately. + This shouldn't affect you, but you'll have to avoid tutorials and functionality for Python3 and instead seek out stuff that supports Python2.7 versions. + Hopefully in the near future I'll be able to upgrade to IronPython3 to remove this limitation. + The other notable issue with GamecraftScripting's Python is it can't use most external Python libraries. + All of Python's standard libraries are supported, but a lot of Python's amazing package library doesn't like Python running in Gamecraft (or any other C# app that uses IronPython). + So far I haven't had any problems with those limitations, so I'm sure you won't be limited by them either. +
++ + So what are you waiting for? Python and GamecraftScripting are out there, waiting for you to dive in and learn something that you'll be able to use for years to come. + If you're lucky, you'll even have make some cool Gamecraft creations while you're at it! +
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