Better Organization For GameMaker Visual

Introduction

GameMaker Visual is a powerful tool for creating games, but it can be overwhelming to navigate and organize large blocks of code, especially in complex objects like the player object. In this article, we will explore the current issues with GameMaker Visual's organization and propose two potential solutions to improve the development experience.

The Problem with GameMaker Visual's Organization

One of the main issues with GameMaker Visual is that it can be difficult to find specific sections of code, especially in complex objects. This can lead to wasted time scrolling up and down, trying to find the relevant code. Comments have been helpful in identifying sections and understanding what the code does, but they are not enough to solve the problem.

The Current State of Organization in GameMaker Visual

Currently, GameMaker Visual relies on comments to help developers understand the code and navigate through it. However, comments are not enough to solve the problem of finding specific sections of code. The bookmarks feature is also not working properly in Visual, and the shortcuts listed in the manual do not work as expected.

Solution 1: CTRL + F Search Functionality

One potential solution to improve the organization of GameMaker Visual is to implement a CTRL + F search functionality. This would allow developers to type in what they are looking for and match it with the comments in the code. The search function would then take the developer directly to the relevant section of code.

How it Would Work

The CTRL + F search functionality would work by allowing developers to type in a keyword or phrase related to the code they are looking for. The search function would then scan the comments in the code and take the developer directly to the relevant section. This would save time and reduce the frustration of trying to find specific sections of code.

Benefits of the CTRL + F Search Functionality

The CTRL + F search functionality would have several benefits, including:

• Improved navigation: The search function would allow developers to quickly find specific sections of code, reducing the time spent searching.
• Increased productivity: By reducing the time spent searching for code, developers would be able to focus on writing code and creating games.
• Reduced frustration: The search function would reduce the frustration of trying to find specific sections of code, making the development experience more enjoyable.

Solution 2: Multiple Instances of a Single Event

Another potential solution to improve the organization of GameMaker Visual is to allow developers to create multiple instances of a single event. This would enable developers to separate specific code, such as the jumping logic, into its own dedicated Step event.

How it Would Work

The multiple instances of a single event feature would work by allowing developers to create a new Step event and name it. The new Step event would then appear in a list of custom-named events, making it easier to navigate and organize the code.

Benefits of Multiple Instances of a Single Event

The multiple instances of a single event feature would have several benefits, including:

• Improved organization: The feature would allow developers to separate specific code into its own dedicated Step event, making it easier to navigate and organize the code.
• Increased development speed: By reducing the time spent searching for code, developers would be able to focus on writing code and creating.
• Reduced headaches: The feature would reduce the headaches of trying to find specific sections of code, making the development experience more enjoyable.

Alternatives Considered

In addition to the two potential solutions proposed above, there are several alternatives that have been considered. These include:

• Bookmarks feature: The bookmarks feature is not working properly in Visual, and it does not save.
• Shortcuts: The shortcuts listed in the manual do not work as expected in Visual.
• Comments: Comments have been helpful in identifying sections and understanding what the code does, but they are not enough to solve the problem.

Conclusion

GameMaker Visual is a powerful tool for creating games, but it can be overwhelming to navigate and organize large blocks of code. The CTRL + F search functionality and multiple instances of a single event feature are two potential solutions to improve the organization of GameMaker Visual. These features would improve navigation, increase productivity, and reduce frustration, making the development experience more enjoyable.

Recommendations

Based on the analysis above, the following recommendations are made:

• Implement CTRL + F search functionality: The CTRL + F search functionality would improve navigation, increase productivity, and reduce frustration.
• Implement multiple instances of a single event feature: The multiple instances of a single event feature would improve organization, increase development speed, and reduce headaches.

Q: What is the main issue with GameMaker Visual's organization?

A: The main issue with GameMaker Visual's organization is that it can be difficult to find specific sections of code, especially in complex objects. This can lead to wasted time scrolling up and down, trying to find the relevant code.

Q: How does the CTRL + F search functionality work?

A: The CTRL + F search functionality would allow developers to type in a keyword or phrase related to the code they are looking for. The search function would then scan the comments in the code and take the developer directly to the relevant section.

Q: What are the benefits of the CTRL + F search functionality?

A: The benefits of the CTRL + F search functionality include:

• Improved navigation: The search function would allow developers to quickly find specific sections of code, reducing the time spent searching.
• Increased productivity: By reducing the time spent searching for code, developers would be able to focus on writing code and creating games.
• Reduced frustration: The search function would reduce the frustration of trying to find specific sections of code, making the development experience more enjoyable.

Q: How does the multiple instances of a single event feature work?

A: The multiple instances of a single event feature would allow developers to create a new Step event and name it. The new Step event would then appear in a list of custom-named events, making it easier to navigate and organize the code.

Q: What are the benefits of multiple instances of a single event?

A: The benefits of multiple instances of a single event include:

• Improved organization: The feature would allow developers to separate specific code into its own dedicated Step event, making it easier to navigate and organize the code.
• Increased development speed: By reducing the time spent searching for code, developers would be able to focus on writing code and creating games.
• Reduced headaches: The feature would reduce the headaches of trying to find specific sections of code, making the development experience more enjoyable.

Q: What alternatives have been considered?

A: Several alternatives have been considered, including:

• Bookmarks feature: The bookmarks feature is not working properly in Visual, and it does not save.
• Shortcuts: The shortcuts listed in the manual do not work as expected in Visual.
• Comments: Comments have been helpful in identifying sections and understanding what the code does, but they are not enough to solve the problem.

Q: Why are these solutions important?

A: These solutions are important because they would improve the development experience for GameMaker Visual users. By reducing the time spent searching for code and improving organization, developers would be able to focus on writing code and creating games, leading to increased productivity and reduced frustration.

Q: How can I provide feedback on these solutions?

A: If you have any feedback or suggestions on these solutions, please feel free to share them with us. We are always looking for ways to improve GameMaker Visual and make it a more powerful and user-friendly tool for creating games.

Q: When can I expect these solutions to be implemented?

A: We are currently working on implementing these solutions and expect them to be available in a future update of GameMaker Visual. We provide more information on the release date and details of the update as soon as possible.

Q: How can I stay up-to-date on the latest news and updates on GameMaker Visual?

A: You can stay up-to-date on the latest news and updates on GameMaker Visual by following us on social media or signing up for our newsletter. We will provide regular updates on new features, bug fixes, and other important information.