|
|
FAQ
Welcome to the FAQ. Here I hope to be able to answer some common questions that I am usually asked, as it will save both you and me time. :)
| D++ is a scripting language programmed in Microsoft Visual Basic 6... you know what? I think I've already written this. Perhaps you should all the info on the about page, as it's far more detailed than this is going to get. |
| This question is also answered on the about page, but to give a bit more detail I'll answer here. I started working on D++ when I was about 12 as I was just getting into VB and programming. I wanted to write a program that actually had an impact on people, more than just the dinky little apps I had already. So I decided to write a programming language. I don't know why or how I chose that, especially considering I hadn't a clue of how to do any of it, but I chose it. And then I just continued to add features to help improve my coding skills. |
| Why did you call it D++? Were you following C++? |
| Not really. It was more of the fact that my name is "Daniel", and D++ sounded like a pretty good name. Also, it technically would not be following C++. It all began with a language way back when called BCPL. Without too many details, BCPL influenced a language called B, which influenced C, which influenced C++. So, if I were following that path, I'd have called it P. But that's kind of a lame name, and I didn't pick that. Although back then, I didn't exactly know this history, either. |
| So, how did/do you write D++? |
Well, basically what you have to do when you're writing a programming language is do one thing: assume the code writer is an idiot. You have to be able to catch every little thing, and when they mess up, BAM! Hit 'em with a big yellow box that tells them how they were wrong.
But seriously, I only started with basic stuff... just I/O, then variables, if statements, etc... just slowly advancing the language.
When I am actually developing D++ and say, adding new features, basically the first thing I do is open up the SDE (better for that kind of work) and write some code that I want D++ compile (even though the language doesn't support it yet). I compile it, and have my VB project work off of that code. From there I code the features in, and hope they work. If it doesn't work right away (almost always... in fact I would be surprised if it actually worked right away, and I'd be very skeptical about it), the next thing I check is the D++ code... sometimes there's a bug in my D++ code. |
| Why did you write it in VB, not C++? Or even ASM? |
| This argument is as old as D++ is, back to the days of version 1.5 on PSC. First off, I do not care to learn assembly to the point of writing this code. It's... pointless. Secondly, I do know that C++ would be faster. D++ began with VB6, and that's why it's still in VB6. Now then, at the time of starting this project I did not have enough knowledge of C++ to write such a thing, although at this point I do. That's why a D++ DLL in C++ is my next project. But for now, it stays in VB. It works fast enough for me, and it's not as if D++ is being used for speed applications anyways. |
| Why are D++ executables so big? |
| They are only 200kb! Well anyways, it's got a lot of stuff in it. Winsock, the console, stack... all these things increase it's size. Fortunatly there is a solution. Thanks to Donutface, the D++ DLL can be compressed with a UPX program, so that when a progam is compiled it's size is decreased to about 65kb. You can find more information about this on the downloads page. |
| I can't get [blah] to work in D++! |
| That's a shame. Well, you have a few options. First, post your problem on the forums. You'll get input from not only me but other members of the community. The problem might not be you, it might in fact be a bug in D++! (yes! D++ is probably not bugless!) |
| Can I use D++ source in my project? |
| Yes, you may. However there are some restrictions, like you must place my name in the about box and a link to PageMac. You can find more informaton on this on the about page. |
| Sorry - D++ started as a personal project, and it will remain that way. It's my pet project! While I am happy to accept any bug reports, suggestions, comments, critisism or anything of that like, I just can't have this being that kind of a project. The best way for you to help with D++ is to donate. Now I'm not trying to beg for money or anything, but it would help - development tools aren't free, and neither is runnng a server. All funds received will go directly to development tools or help with running the server. |
|
|
