Now running a LSL beginner scripting class in forums...

The only reason I'm cross-linking this is because It's kind of hidden. I'm doing a beginner class on LSL scripting in the forums:

/54/20/114499/1.html

Join in if you like, but remember, this is for beginners!

It's a weekend, and I'm bored again.

I am so there.

coco

And I thank you so much for it! I know others have tried to communicate scripting for beginners, but sadly they lack the ability to actually communicate in plain words that a beginner could follow. Many geeks seem to write to impress other geeks who already know geekdomhood, and I love that you have written clearly in words your audience can follow. Keep it coming, thanks so much!!

Could "beginner" be defined as someone who's a hack and just lucky enough to piece code together, but not really able to understand why what he just made is working?

If so, that's me.

Out of interest - when you say this, are you talking about other posts made on the Scripting Tips forum, or other scripting classes in the world?

i got to fill in for one of the NCI classes a few whatevers ago, and with a group it wasnt the smoothest thing in the world, i think i got ppl to understand the {} and maby some llFoo(); stuff

altho i did break it down pretty simple, since i myself stuggled with verry little help (props to travis and ima @ the shelter) it still sounded like polish stereo instructions to most ppl im afraid

i wish you the best of luck

Considering he figured it out, I would like to think the starting lessons helped him to understand the language well enough to make the jump to what he wanted to do.

Or... I just blathered on, and he figured out out on his own.

I can also recommend the LSL 101: The complete Newbie's Guide to Scripting in Secondlife. Writen by Jeffrey Gomez. Several people that i showed where very happy with it.

This is one author I meant! Using techincal terms without defining them in a non techincal way is vital in order to bridge the gap between the technically trained teacher and the true beginner. I find so many techincal people dont really appreciate the depth of knowledge they have and what is a basic assumption to them may actually be confusing to another who lacks the clarity of definitions in non technical terms.

<nods> Then use them BOTH. One to get the idea, and the other to teach you the terminology. To be honest, you need both, since my way explains it, but does not teach the technical language that you WILL need to talk to other scripters and understand each other.

You see, technical languages and terms are not put into place to make understanding them harder, that's just a side effect. The truth is, sometimes, basic english just does not have words to describe an effect, or are too general.

Let's look at the idea behind states vs events:

You could say that an event is a triggered bit part of the program, based on something happening, but states could be defined as that too. We use terms such as Triggered Event, and Current State to make absolutly sure we both are talking about the same thing.

Trust me, when creating software in real life for military equipment, nasa, or 911, you SCREAM when someone does not know the terminology. It means asking questions until you are so far past sure about what they are talking about you could live in their head.

<sigh> Sorry. Anyway! The point is terminology was created to save time in development. If a two people have the same terms, they spend less time figuring out what the other is talking about. And make less mistakes based on misunderstanding.

By the way, did anyone ever find that Mars probe we buried on the moon? Seems someone was programming and forgot the differance between feet and meters...

Great idea Foolish.

I agree about the terminology points you made, and likewise would add the need for even the most basic scripter to have a reasonably good knowledge of the build tools.

Back in my earliest days of beginner scripting classes, they would often be unproductive, because invariably one person would attend and not have the basic knowledge of the build tools and instead of a scripting lesson, it would be an interface tutorial for one person while others eager to learn would sit and waste their time by learning little in the alloted time.

The forum lessons are a good approach, because people could work at their own rate, backtrack when needed and try different things.

Have fun with your project! I will certainly recommend students to it.