Progress

[skarik]

So that means R4 will definitely have a Linux version, right? I'd love it if there were, as I'm totally stuck on Ubuntu, and the only things I can get working with WINE are Portal and Far Cry 2.

And what the hell is that error up there?

[Josh @ Dreamland]

That error was extinguished a long time ago. Now I'm moving on to complete support for the rest of the language. (The little bit I have not yet implemented)

Also, yes, definitely a Linux version, as that's the operating system I'm on. I will, however, boot into Windows to make sure DLLs work.

[skarik]

That's absolutely awesome.

Well, I'm wondering if I could tell the Game Design Club at my high school that I found a free alternative to Game Maker or what? Should I wait?

[Josh @ Dreamland]

Just for a little bit.

[RetroX]

Just entirely curious, what is the point of DLLs?  I mean, it's useful in Linux/UNIX to have libraries so that you don't have to have twenty copies because twenty programs that use it, but why would you care in Windows, since they're always included, anyways?

[luiscubal]

DLLs are a practical way to split your executable into multiple files.

[RetroX]

DLLs are a practical way to split your executable into multiple files.

The point of which is...?

[Josh @ Dreamland]

What he meant by that was, DLLs are a practical way to use code you don't understand that runs fast in GM. In ENIGMA, the only point to having them is because people are set in their 39Dll-loving ways.

[luiscubal]

If you release an update, for example, you can just change the modified DLLs, rather than the whole thing!

[Josh @ Dreamland]

Code isn't supposed to be all that big. If you want small updates, make your resources external, not your code.

[skarik]

In ENIGMA, the only point to having them is because people are set in their 39Dll-loving ways.

Or because it's easier to copy and paste GML that somebody already made instead of manually handling the function pointers.
Though, I think that reason has nothing to do with the reason that somebody originally gave.

Anyhow, I checked with my 'superiors,' and it looks like the Game Design Club will be using Enigma at some point over here!

[notachair]

In ENIGMA, the only point to having them is because people are set in their 39Dll-loving ways.

Or because it's easier to copy and paste GML that somebody already made instead of manually handling the function pointers.
Though, I think that reason has nothing to do with the reason that somebody originally gave.

Anyhow, I checked with my 'superiors,' and it looks like the Game Design Club will be using Enigma at some point over here!

I don't think this is a good time to make such a recommendation...

[Josh @ Dreamland]

NONSENSE! MAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *filinaeny goes off daep edn*

[Rusky]

Code isn't supposed to be all that big. If you want small updates, make your resources external, not your code.

What the crap? Why isn't code supposed to be big? Ever seen the Linux kernel you all love so much?

DLL's are great. They're used for the same reason in Windows as in UNIX, although with GM games the libraries are included with all the programs anyway. But even in that situation, they still offer advantages. If you already have code written in another language that you want to port to GM, you can just write a layer for GM compatibility.

In ENIGMA, you could of course just statically link it, but static linking is ugly. Dynamic linking means updates to just the library (which do make sense, especially if it's a third party library) can be made without redistributing the entire thing. Dynamic linking also lets you interface with code written in tons of languages, not just the one you're writing the main program in.

[luiscubal]

Also, DLLs mean you can use LGPL code in your closed source library, which static libraries do not allow.