How to get started with LiveCode for beginners?

[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!

[Klaus]

Hi nearlyattach,

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


Best

Klaus

[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).

[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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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).

[kaveh1000]

Thank you for taking the time to respond, Richmond.

[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

[kaveh1000]

Ah, ok. Thanks Craig

[bn]

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

[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

[kaveh1000]

Thanks again. That is reassuring. I have been too afraid to ask but glad I did!!!

[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'.