Need Some More Scripting Classes

I've been trying to learn how to script, but I rarely see any scripting classes scheduled. I have looked at the Linden Scripting Language Guide, but I tend to sometimes learn better when I am shown how to do things rather than read about it.

I agree Edav! Most of the scripting classes I *do* see, always seem to center around scripting for one particular thing. Like the last advanced scripting class was all about scripting for a flying object. While these are great, and you can pick up some small general scripting tips for other things, they don't really cover a lot of the questions that it seems can come up in a generic Basic or Advanced Scripting class.

What kind of scripting?

-Physics scripting
-Particle system
-Basic syntax, LSL features, data types, (C stuff)
-Movement/positioning (non physical)
-Detection (sensors)
-Rotation (yeah this deserves a whole category lol...quaternions)
-Vector math (goes with above two and physics)
-Communication: inter-object, object to player
-Avatar control: taking control, permissions, animations
-Special functions: linking, changing object properties, external world functions
-Lists
-Vehicle scripting
-Weapon scripting

I'm sure more could be added. You might get a better response if you ask for certain topics...it'll inspire more interest than just "general scripting".

Pendari, I think the problem is that once you get past a certain level of teaching the subject, there's just too many things to pick from...

Or maybe I just don't understand what you mean by an "advanced scripting class". To me advanced scripting is about 1,000 different things so designing a class like that without having some kind of focus seems......well...hmm, I can't picture what you'd teach in it.

Basic Scripting, after all I'm just starting to want to learn. Then I'll take it from there,

Well.. ok, yes what Edav said. Perhaps a generic Advanced Scripting class is not so possible, but certainly a generic Basic Scripting class is. And I know I have seen some of the Basic Scripting classes at one time or another, but they really do seem so few and far between and the two times I saw them before they were at times that I could not attend. So more of them, more often, would be wonderful!

I usually run a basic scripting class every wednesday, but becouse of exams I didn't last week, nor will I this week, after that I will be returning to my usual schedule.

Let's put it this way. If you have any prior coding or scripting experience you can pick it up in a jiffy. LSL has a very standard syntax, like the one for C and Java.
It's very hard for people without any sort of prior contact with programming, but certainly not impossible. Christopher Omega certainly did it, and went on to learn real programming after getting the hang of LSL!
If you have trouble with the basics, attend Scripting 101 multiple times until it all clicks together very well, and ask all the questions you want, preferrably after class. But like all my professors say, programming isnt a matter of attending classes or reading books - you've got to actually get your hands dirty to understand it.
Try altering simple scripts to see how it works and ask a scripter for help if you mess it up.
Once you know the basic syntax you're home free. Literally all commands follow the same conventions so it's just a matter of looking them up in the help file.
llCommandName(param1, ..., paramN);
Feel free to IM me any time, and I'm sure the same goes for any other instructor or scripter in general. We SLers tend to stick together

programming is just glorified hacking after all.

or is it the other way around?

and yes, rotation could fill up an hour long class all by itself.

Well, I for one attended the Instructor Expo and definitely wanted to learn scripting. However, with the lack of scripting classes afore mentioned, and with me having no prior programming experience, this does make scripting a very tough field to delve into. Lots of times when I've asked others about how you do something, they hand me a pre-made script for the process and say, "Just play with the numbers til it works." That may be all fine and good, but if you don't understand the numbers you're playing with or handed an already working script, this teaches me very little.

I'm not one to gripe (much =p) but I prefer to offer solutions, so here's what I propose (and feel free to add in/berate me/slip me a ripe banana if I'm a tad off).

Since I want to learn the language in and out, and since Garoud has given a pretty darn good list of topics for classes, that someone start a weekly class that focuses on one particular thing, and with everyone writing the scripts as they go (This may be tedious and possibly unfeasible in a class setting, but it would help most people grasp it better) I'd personally sugest just the syntax, variable meanings, and a short simple exercise during class time.

I'd also like to see the class offer homework projects for the week. I've read in the scripting forums about challenges given for certain coding procedures and it would be nice to carry that to the "classroom". Of course, it would be totally optional, and maybe even a little cash rpize to those who finish it correctly for incentive

This is the teaching system I would "like" to see in place for scripting. If anyone has better ideas, let me know. If people think this is a great idea, and no one has the time/money/inclination to do so, I'm willing to crouch over the LSL guide every week, study and learn that week's lesson, and then pass it on. Again, I'd rather not learn that way (as I would probably suffer brain damage after 2 weeks of it ) but I'd be willing to because I believe that everything in SL (building, texturing, and scripting) should be a challenge to learn, but not so overwhelming that it disuades people from trying it.

Again, feel free to tell me why this wouldn't work, but let's find a solution to all these hungry script-kiddies! (yeah yeah bad choice of words. Sue me)

Maybe, maybe not. I attended one of Tcoz Bach's (I think, my brain decided to stay in bed today) scripting classes, non-Linden sponsored due to the fact that it ran two hours.

But it was an excellent class, as Tcoz took the time to gear things to the level where someone who didn't know the first thing about programming in general could get an inkling of how to script in LSL. That kind of gearing takes time, and I'm not sure it's possible to cram it all into one hour. Well, you could concievably set up two consecutive classtimes for people to attend, I guess. Not sure how many people would be willing to sit through that, though.

Personal experience: I'm one of those people who took a bunch of CS101 classes in things ranging from BASIC to C/C++ over the years of my education. So I already had some foundation on which to build insofar as figuring out how computers think goes.

And I believe that certain members of the SL University group have volunteered to teach advanced scripting of things like what Garoad mentioned. However, I haven't heard much as far as new classes go. I'd say talk to Ananda Sandgrain -- she's been one of the driving forces behind SLU.

If you are looking for basic scripting literature... i have several topics of discussion in my inventory ranging from a very well commented basic 'hello, avatar' script through syntax, sensors, collisions, touch, listens, particles (old and new), linkedmessaging, targets, rotations, etc from classes and previous Instructor Expos. I am not in the Resident Instructor group anymore, as I decided my time could not warrant it further. Toss me an IM, i'll be glad to help/share.

-_Water

nala i'm just learning lsl too but i do program using other languages so i'm picking it up pretty quickly. i'll be glad to help you analyze some of those scripts. if they're well documented (no i'm not kidding) you can learn a lot from them (stop laughing at me).

i always begin programming couses by handing out a print copies of code. i go through the thing with them pretty much line by line by form by object or whatever so they have a solid basis to work from. it works for most people.

Don't forget to use the forums also - there is a wealth of info lurking around in the archives... for example...

All about joints

.chm version of the LSL Help file

some horribly techie stuff about rotations

Nada's scripting tutorial #1: Touch & Listen (has set problems and answers)

Nada's scripting tutorial #2: Moving objects

Nada's scripting tutorial #3: elevators

Nada's scripting tutorial #4: sensors and tracking

Ben Linden's Scripting 101

plus don't forget the Script Library forum for examples.

I've yet to do a scheduled class (and doubt I ever will because I tend to log in on a whim..) but I'm happy to help try and answer scripting questions.

So if you have questions and see me running around just give a yell. Just keep in mind I might be currently occupied (typically my screen is 2 or 3 scripts, notecards, and prim editor -- so be patient with me!)

Bosozoku Kato

Update to Cailyn's post. The current .CHM version of the LSL documentation is available at the following thread:

/invalid_link.html

Much of this could be mitigated by having a better LSL reference manual. The current one assumes too much previous knowledge and isn't much help to someone without pre-existing programming knowledge. I'd love to see LL hire somoene just to write a truly thorough LSL manual.

If anyone wants to teach a scripting class - send an IM to David Linden or email him at [email]david.linden@lindenlab.com[/email]. Linden will pay $500 per class.

sorry for the jim (not to be confused with james)impersonation. but no chip. the reason we don't have any more documentation than syntax is that we're supposed to share that kind of information with each other in world.

it's true that we don't have enough specialized scripting classes right now but people do share a lot of scripts and are usually willing to explain them to you. they don't comment them of course tsk tsk.

anyway my point is that if somebody writes a manual, they should do it in world and sell it! when i get up to speed, i'll host some classes. it'll be after the holidays before that happens though.

Whatever happened to the "beginner's guide to scripting" PDF file that was available on the downloads page? It seems to have been replaced by a PDF version of the LSL reference.

The previous PDF wasn't comprehensive by any means, but it did at least give some tips on how to modify an existing script if you'd never done it before, and every little bit helps.

So many issues not resolved regarding instructing. I'm surprised how litttle the admins have evolved this, considering the demand.

- If you must give ongoing free classes (imho a bad idea), tier payments. 500 dollars is adequate for a basic basic scripting course, but nothing else. 750 for intermediate, 1k for advanced.

- Ensure quality. Just look at the comments regarding scripting courses (flipside: don't expect high quality - free is free). This could take the form of teaching aids (I used to carry around a board, screenshots of scripts, colored brackets to illustrate sections of script, the script files themselves, supporting material i.e. a chart explaining radians, etc.), sessions covering technique, and so on. Teaching is a learned skill and an art, not something you get in the welcome area or off notecards.

- Allow instructors to give courses at their location of choice. When people see a banisher running in the class and understand no refunds if booted, believe me they behave. This of course is diluted if the participant doesn't have to pay...they may make a game out of it.

- Announce them earlier, or require advanced registration. Several of my classes and events collapsed due to last minute (or late) notice.

- Let the Lindens give three - five non-transferable vouchers for free classes, one building, one scripting, one misc., as part of your "Welcome to SL" package. After that, you need to get your training from practice and other residents who put in the time to make it work right.

I've always believed (from experience...I built a training facility and hosted pay classes before anybody else I think) a schedule of free classes just doesn't work. Unfortunately, if it's available, people will take low quality free and complain rather than pay for high quality.

Giving a good class is a lot of work; my rotation, sensor, and beginner/intermediate/advanced classes took me hours to prepare, and I evolved them based on participant feedback over time. If instructors were competing for the dollars (not just rambling through a half hour class for 500 bucks), and refunds were part of the deal, the quality would go up.

Private lessons also ended up being a poor solution; people cancelled ALL the time. If you schedule a class, get registered participants to pay a deposit (refundable x 2 if the instructor doesn't show), hold the class on turf that you have control over, you will see quality classes.

Hiring somebody with some real experience in distance learning/online training to assemble materials and oversee instruction is a great idea. One of the reasons my paid (and the majority of my free...greifers or people just not paying attention then insisting on starting over ruined a few) classes went well was because I've done the work in real life and know how to set it up. A better manual isn't the answer; that's one component of an overall insturctional solution (though there really should be a better manual).

Otherwise...well, read the thread.