Becoming a Scripter, Beginner and want to learn how to script? Come on in! Options

[The Law G14]

Recently, I saw a topic asking about how to script in RPG Maker. To be honest, scripting is something I believe anyone can pick up as a skill set, as long as you get the proper instructions on how to learn the language and you're of course determined to learn. I came from being a complete noobie to being able to script my own systems, and I had no background knowledge in any other programming language. However, it was difficult, I have to admit, mostly because I had no guideline on where to go and what to do. I skipped steps, jumped the gun, etc. etc. and that proved to bad lol So this topic is for the sole purpose of allowing anyone interested in learning how to script to know the general guideline, that I think, will help you start writing scripts in no time!


Part One: Foundational Learning

1. Fundamentals of Programming
2. All About Variables!
3. Controlling the Flow
4. Arrays and Hashes!!
5. Methods!
6. WIP

Now that you've learned the syntax, it's time to enter the Big Three. In all programming, there are three major aspects to successfully creating a program (or script):

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm...lerDiagram2.svg

The Model, the View, and the Controller. In RPG Maker XP, the Model, is the data or the Game Classes (check your script editor). The View are all your Window Classes, and the Controller are all the Scene Classes. The next three parts will be dedicated to study of these three parts by applying your knowledge of syntax to understand them.


Part Two: Game Data

I skipped this step in my learning and it had drastic consequences. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP, it is possible the most important Part of this whole guideline. So, to complete this step, use your knowledge of Syntax that you learned form Part One and "read" every script in the Script Editor that starts with "Game_". A helpful tool in doing this is utilizing the RGSS Script Reference


Part Three: Windows

Next to learn are Windows, which is the fun part. This is where you get to display things (hence why it's the View).

1. Basic Windows
2. Selectable Windows
3. Advanced Windows
4. Command Windows
5. Read all the scripts in the Script Editor that start with "Window_"


Part Four: Scenes

Finally time to put everything you learned together! Scenes are the core of a script, they control the Windows and Game Data (hence why they are the "Controller").

1. Introduction to Scenes
2. Read all the scripts in the Script Editor that start with "Scene_"


Part Five: Making Your Own Creations!

Time to assimilate everything you've learned into making your own scripts. You will run into obstacles and there will be many problems that you'll face while making a script but the most important attribute a Scripter can have is perseverance. Also, make sure you regularly look at the works of other scripters, it'll help you get into the flow of how you should write your scripts and what good coding style is.


Good luck and I hope this was helpful!