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How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2024 6:10 am
by nearlyattach
Hi everyone,

I am new to LiveCode and would like to know the most effective way to learn. Are there any resources or tutorials for beginners? Also, if I want to develop a simple application for desktop and mobile, where should I start in LiveCode? I would love to hear from the community so I can get started smoothly.

Thanks!

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2024 10:03 am
by Klaus
Hi nearlyattach,

welcome to the forum!
A good starting point is the mothership itself:
https://lessons.livecode.com


Best

Klaus

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2024 4:47 pm
by SparkOut
The Scripting Conferences are very old, but were refreshed a few years ago, and kindly hosted by jacque here http://www.hyperactivesw.com/revscriptc ... ences.html

They ARE still relevant and cover the basics.

I still think this was the best way to grok LiveCode (Revolution as it was then).

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2024 5:32 pm
by dunbarx
What everyone said.

I have always, once you are actually playing with LC, maintained that you should build a simple project. An address book, calculator of some sort or some very simple game. Each of those three will use slightly different techniques and tools within LC itself. Do any of those three seem interesting to you?

And your greatest resource is this forum. We race to see who can answer your questions first...

Craig

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 12:05 pm
by kaveh1000
Hi Craig

I hope I am not derailing the conversation but I am a bit lost. I love LiveCode and I used HyperCard since it was beta (1987). To cut to the chase, are we going to forced to move to the Create platform and will my knowledge of the LiveCode language still be relevant in 5 years time?

Regards
Kaveh

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 3:13 pm
by richmond62
are we going to forced to move to the Create platform
No-one is forcing you to do anything.

I am currently developing a series of tedious little programs (for children to practise verb-subject agreement in English) for my school using the last community edition of LiveCode (LC 9.6.3): this was dropped about 3 years ago: but as it does exactly what I require it's super.

LiveCode have stated that they will drop support from LiveCode, as it is now, in 2027 (I believe).

But that may only prove problematic because of their licensing model which will mean the last version of LiveCode commercial version will expire then.

Even if I had the money I would not license Create (mainly for 2 simple reasons: 1. I don't like a single-window IDE, and 2. I don't like no-code RADS), and that is my choice: no-one from LiveCode is 'forcing' me to do anything.

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 3:17 pm
by richmond62
will my knowledge of the LiveCode language still be relevant in 5 years time?
That is, surely, up to you.

You could continue using it with the last Community version of LiveCode (that will NOT suddenly stop working: although it will not produce Mac ARM native apps).

You could use the ongoing Open Source derivative IDE (which, currently, cannot produce Mac ARM native apps).

LiveCode have stated that the programming language inwith Create will be substantially the same as that in LiveCode.

LiveCode have enough on their plate getting Create off the ground without having to cook up another programming language: and why should they when their xTalk dialect is fit for purpose.

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 3:23 pm
by richmond62
the LiveCode language
I was unaware that there was a LiveCode language.

I am aware that the language inwith LiveCode is a dialect of the xTalk family of languages: that being so (i.e. it NOT being a language, but a dialect) should mean that you should have little difficulty transferring to using a different xTalk dialect.

I do know that in 1999-2000 I transferred from using HyperCard to Toolbook with very little trouble indeed, and then, subsequently, to MetaCard and Runtime Revolution. I have played around with SuperCard without any great difficulties (I have never written anything significant with it because I did not like the IDE, not the language).

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 3:40 pm
by kaveh1000
Thank you for taking the time to respond, Richmond.

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 3:48 pm
by dunbarx
The original name of the LC "language", I believe, was "Transcript". I liked that name.

My understanding is that you can still use all of your LC skills, "language" and tools after 2027. In other words, you can ignore the Create aspect of the program if you so choose.

I think.

Craig

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 3:57 pm
by kaveh1000
Ah, ok. Thanks Craig

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 6:38 pm
by bn
kaveh1000 wrote:
Wed Dec 11, 2024 12:05 pm
To cut to the chase, are we going to forced to move to the Create platform and will my knowledge of the LiveCode language still be relevant in 5 years time?
Hi Kaveh,

Livecode Create uses the LiveCode language. All automated scripts are pure LiveCode. And if the automated scripts need modifications you can edit them using LiveCode language. The IDE is different but the language is the same in Create.

Kind regards
Bernd

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 6:48 pm
by dunbarx
What Bernd said.

I think if there will be any new learning curve it will be in the IDE. You may have to ignore certain sections, aspects, whatever of the new setup in order to "live" fully in the old model.

I intend to do that, mostly.

I am sure, however, that I will find a LOT of useful features in that new IDE, and after a while get used to taking advantage of them, all the while happily thinking and coding the old fashioned way.

Craig

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 6:55 pm
by kaveh1000
Thanks again. That is reassuring. I have been too afraid to ask but glad I did!!!

Re: How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 7:02 pm
by richmond62
This may be the case, but without a trial version it is difficult to test that out without FIRST making a $100 'leap of faith'.