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Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:31 pm
by richh
Greetings all!

For the pass 2 years, I have been using Realbasic to develop a lot of applications for internal I.T. Recently, I came across a link in which directed me over to the world of LiveCode in which I am very impressed by the documentations, videos, and the compile-free coding.

Since I only have Realbasic to compare, I had a few questions that I hope can be answered:

1) In using the demo, I noticed that their was no intelli-type functionality. Is this something that can be turned on?

2) Being that I need to program for both windows and mac, I find myself needing my development environment on both OS. If I purchase LiveCode 4.5 Desktop Mac/Win, will this allow me to use my registration code to install on both of my platforms?

3) Being that Realbasic is OOP where I can create my own classes, methods, properties, etc.. I was looking to see if LiveCode was OOP which I found some documents stating it was; however, I wasn't sure.

4) If LiveCode is OOP, how easy is it to create instances?

5) When you compile your LiveCode project, does it require any dependancies such as .net frameworks for windows?

6) Does LiveCode compile as binary code for the specific platform?

I have a few more questions but I will wait for response for the above.

thanks again.

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:57 pm
by mwieder
Welcome aboard. I haven't used RealBasic for some years now, so I'll let others comment about direct comparisons.

1. Third-party tools will allow you to do some intellitype stuff. It's not built into the IDE out of the box. If you're developing on a mac your best bet is Remo.

2. Yes. And linux as well. Depends on the license arrangement you purchase. The product line has changed recently, so you'd have to look at the selections in the rev store.

3 & 4. Um. Not OOP in the sense that you mean, although there's always a push in that direction. Your classic OOP characteristics are all here in some form or other: inheritance, encapsulation, polymorphism, but it takes a bit of getting used to. I'd love to be able to create my own classes in code (a linked list, for example) and subclass other classes from that but it can't yet be done.

5. No dependencies. The other side of that coin is that you include the engine framework with your compiled app, so that a minimum standalone application for any platform is a bit over 2MB.

6. Yes. You deliver a single standalone application with no dependencies on other frameworks, libraries, etc.

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 2:08 am
by richh
Excellent.. thank you mwieder....

the more I play with LiveCode, the more I see things that I miss from RB; yet, their are features LiveCode that I really do enjoy.

I guess that is the pros and cons between languages... Always missing the highlights :P

I would love to hear from more RB Developers. :)

thanks again.

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 7:05 am
by mwieder
I guess that is the pros and cons between languages... Always missing the highlights
Exactly. I think one of the things about maturing as a programmer is being able to select the right tool or language for a given job. They've all got strengths and weaknesses.

I used to think that Basic's big advantage over other languages was its string handling. Until LiveCode, that is. The ability to do complex transformations with a chunk of text in a short code phrase is amazing.

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 2:31 pm
by richh
I had another question :)

in the IDE of LiveCode, are their any Snap to Grid functionality to ensure that your windows and buttons are aligned properly?

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:05 pm
by Klaus
Hi Rich,

its me, your hero without a cape! :D

Yep, check: Preferences -> Appearance -> Grid spacing
Move an object slowly with the mouse to see this in action.

But "Snap to grid" for windows/stacks? Not available in LC and I've never seen this before 8)


Best from germany

Klaus

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 7:24 pm
by jharris
Hi Everyone,

I am new here... another RB developer. Just wanted to say hi. I purchased LiveCode just yesterday, so I have a lot to learn. There are a lot of differences between LiveCode and RealBasic. I use VS .Net on all projects at this time. Using RealBasic I never could get an app to run on Windows that I was happy with. I enjoy coding in RealBasic, but I just can't get the results I am looking for. Any way just wanted to say hello to the OP and everyone else. Looking forward to using LiveCode.

jharris

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 7:29 pm
by Klaus
Hi jharris,

welcome to the club :D

To get a "feel" for LiveCode, I recommend to check these stacks here:
http://www.runrev.com/developers/lesson ... nferences/


Best from germany

Klaus

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:08 pm
by jharris
Thank You Klaus,

I will check them out when I get home this evening.

jharris

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:12 pm
by richh
jharris wrote:Hi Everyone,

I am new here... another RB developer. Just wanted to say hi. I purchased LiveCode just yesterday, so I have a lot to learn. There are a lot of differences between LiveCode and RealBasic. I use VS .Net on all projects at this time. Using RealBasic I never could get an app to run on Windows that I was happy with. I enjoy coding in RealBasic, but I just can't get the results I am looking for. Any way just wanted to say hello to the OP and everyone else. Looking forward to using LiveCode.

jharris
Looks like you and I get to take a journey together :)

if you do not mind me asking, which version did you purchase?

- rich a.k.a. Sky Stream

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:24 pm
by jharris
Hi richh,

From my experience so far I think it will be a good journey. I bought the version that came with the Omegabundle. I think it is Desktop ISV. It was too good of a deal to pass up and not try. I had been having so many problems with RS and nothing seemed to be getting fixed. I purchased LiveCode last night and didn't have much time to look at it. So far I am very happy and can't wait to learn more. I have messed around with it a little bit today. ( I am going to miss creating my own classes though). Good to hear from you, I recognize the AKA from the other forum.

jharris

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:25 pm
by jharris
Sorry richh,

I think Omegabundle was RS, this offer was called Megabundle.

jharris

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:43 pm
by richh
jharris wrote:Sorry richh,

I think Omegabundle was RS, this offer was called Megabundle.

jharris
EDIT:

I just found the bundle.. all I can say is WOW... that is a bundle... I just made my purchase as well. :)

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:50 pm
by doc
I've been discussing the bundles with a friend of mine several times today, trying to get him to make the leap. What a bargain!!

Desktop: http://www.runrev.com/store/product/meg ... top?a=mega
IOS:
http://www.runrev.com/store/product/meg ... ios?a=mega

-Doc-

Re: Looking at LiveCode

Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:52 pm
by richh
doc wrote:I've been discussing the bundles with a friend of mine several times today, trying to get him to make the leap. What a bargain!!

Desktop: http://www.runrev.com/store/product/meg ... top?a=mega
IOS:
http://www.runrev.com/store/product/meg ... ios?a=mega

-Doc-
thank you Doc... I was AMAZED at what it comes with....

its Official, I have taken the plunge into LiveCode :P