For tag expressions, there is an entire chapter that describes how they should be defined. It's entitled "Tags and Tag Expressions". The structure of tag expressions is simply a standard boolean expression. Most introductory programming books outline how boolean expressions work. If you majored in Philosophy, then you dealt with logic tables and such in school. All boolean expressions do is provide a way of defining a formalized logic expression, with the only difference being in the syntax.
For scripting, the language used by AB is extremely primitive. It's closest to the "Basic" language, although there are some minor differences and a lot of things missing (i.e. "Basic" provides a lot more capability than AB). If you want separate documentation on the writing scripts, you might find a book on "Basic" to be the most helpful. However, you won't be able to do many of the things Basic offers, since AB is a very stripped-down language.
Hope this helps,
Rob
At 05:18 PM 2/18/2006, you wrote:
For scripting, the language used by AB is extremely primitive. It's closest to the "Basic" language, although there are some minor differences and a lot of things missing (i.e. "Basic" provides a lot more capability than AB). If you want separate documentation on the writing scripts, you might find a book on "Basic" to be the most helpful. However, you won't be able to do many of the things Basic offers, since AB is a very stripped-down language.
Hope this helps,
Rob
At 05:18 PM 2/18/2006, you wrote:
In trying to write my data file, I keep coming up against a terrible obstacle: my lack of a programming background. Its getting there, but as I read docs I'm glossing over sections since I can't easily read what it is they say. The information is there, but I lack the syntax to understand it is perhaps the right way to say it. This clearly isn't a good method, and I want to fix that.
Does anyone know of a good primer, either on line or dead tree version of basic programming as it would apply to AB? I tried a few object oriented programming books, but they didn't seem to apply too well...should I be looking at database programming primers instead? No slam intended on the AB docs, they were just written for a diffrent audience then someone such as myself...and I would like to catch up.
Or, or course, if possible, please sum up a 4 year degree in Comp Sci for me in three short, clear paragraphs written at the 6th grade level. If successful, I'll give you a cookie. If well written, my wife will bake said cookie so that it is in fact edible.
If you're wondering, many years ago I majored in Philosophy, and can quite confidently tell you why you are not a butterfly. Think that choice of major through kids, trust me on this one.
I would especially be interested in drills of expressions, something that would force me to evaluate an expression and answer if it were valid or not.
Thanks!
. Off to the bookstore...