ArmA 2 Editing Resources

[S.Newbould 1]

Hello :)

I was wondering where yall coders learnt how to script using ArmA 2 GUI. I have played around with the mission editor and made VERY basic missions using that. However I know that the editor offers only a FRACTION of what you can do with ArmA when it comes to making missions. I have no idea how to write in C++ and wouldnt mind learning but I need to be pointed in the right direction IE by using resources you used when learning! I also understand its well enough knowing how to write in code but you also need to know how to write specifically for ArmA? So please if you HAVE anything which would help me get kick started it would be GREATLY appreciated as I have been playing this game from day one and consider myself a vet and I think its time I start producing something :)

Thanks!

[mecharius 2]

Disclaimer :) I haven't done any Arma GUI programming but have taught myself to program in a number of languages.

C++ is a relatively difficult language if you are new to programming... but on the flip side its very powerful and if you can program in C++ you can easily learn other languages. I think it would be a good idea to start with some beginners tutorials such as http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial.html. Once you are comfortable with the basic syntax and have made some silly things like calculators and temperature converters then try to find some examples on the web and go through them until you understand how they work.

Then think of a very simple project and try to implement it. When you come across something you don't get use google and BI forums and see if there is a solution. Don't just copy and paste the solution, look at the code to try and understand it... maybe make a few small changes to prove to yourself that you get it.

In the end, programming is like anything else - start small and build yourself up, then its just a matter of practice, practice, practice!

[killzone_kid 1332]

Well technically speaking ArmA is not C++ even though some elements in it are. The language is called SQF and its older, less used variant SQS. If you want the easy way to start, get ArmA 3 and use inbuilt debug console in editor to play with your code and environment.

http://killzonekid.com/arma-scripting-tutorials-getting-started/

[mecharius 2]

Hey Killzone_Kid... nice link - its worth pointing out that ARMA 3 scripting is very similar to ARMA 2 although the OP won't be able to use the debug console.

Re-reading the original post, now I'm confused as to whether the OP wants to program GUIs for A2 - e.g. http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=18363 - or use the A2 GUI to script missions? Regardless, much of my post still applies... find some examples, pull them apart then adapt to your own.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sqf+introductory+turorial

http://seit.unsw.adfa.edu.au/coursework/ZEIT2305/Resources/SQF_Tutorial/basic_sqf.HTML

[S.Newbould 1]

I want to make missions using scripts! :) I just thought GUI was the right term for the ArmA language branch of the code language.

Edit: Thanks for the resources guys they look great cant wait to get into them!

Edited May 19, 2013 by TheNorthernBrit
missed something out

[mecharius 2]

Ah, ok fair enough... As Killzone_kid said SQF is the scripting language used in Arma... its got similar "grammar" to C++ but is not quite the same thing. The links in the KK's post and at the bottom of my last post should get you started. The nice thing about SQF is there are plenty of examples around the place you can follow to get going!

Another good reference for specific commands is https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Category:Scripting_Commands_ArmA2

[killzone_kid 1332]

Hey Killzone_Kid... nice link - its worth pointing out that ARMA 3 scripting is very similar to ARMA 2 although the OP won't be able to use the debug console.

ArmA 3 SQF is no different to ArmA 2 with the exception of a few new commands added to ArmA 3. You can use Arma 3 debug console to test Arma 2 scripts.

[S.Newbould 1]

I have seen the wiki before I just dont know how to string the commands together to make useful code :) Thanks anyway.

[killzone_kid 1332]

I want to make missions using scripts! :) I just thought GUI was the right term for the ArmA language branch of the code language.

Edit: Thanks for the resources guys they look great cant wait to get into them!

GUI stands for Graphical User Interface :)

[S.Newbould 1]

GUI stands for Graphical User Interface :)

So would that be like the custom menus etc you can put into the game?

[killzone_kid 1332]

Something like that.