TBA Trigger of the Day 070407 Beginner Switch Example

[Rumble]

All these trigger posts sparked a few ideas, so as the topic implies here is the plan:

Every day anyone who wants to can post or request a trigger of the day (just make sure trigger of the day is in the topic, also include beginner, intermediate, advanced). Now the point of this is to demonstrate common ways to use trigedit AND explain how it is done.

Again, anyone can post an example or if they have a trigger idea they want implemented they can post it for others to write a trigger for. This is meant as a community project so the more participation we have the more ideas everyone can come up with. We still have builders on TBA dreaming up new ways to use trigedit all the time.

Some Example Requests:
Give me the best object trigger that incorporates case/switch that you can.
I want a weapon that levels up as it is used, give me a way to do this.

This will be a free for all. First person to post for the day wins. But, there is nothing saying we can't post more than one a day. Also, please reply to the post with feedback if you have another idea or way to do the trig.
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Rumble
The Builder Academy
tbamud.com 9091

[Rumble]

[Shamra]

I hope everyone gets involved with this nomatter how simple or complex they think their trigger is. I will be posting a few things I have made over the years hope the other regulars will do the same so we can get the rolling.

[Jamdog]

This is a great idea!

I have learned over the years that one of the fastest ways to learn is by example. When I learned coding, a lot of what I did was copy/pasting chunks of code and altering them slightly.

I do not yet have the skills needed to just write a trigger without referring to references and examples, and as an experienced C coder, I find this frustrating, so I want to learn everything there is to know about triggers.

In many ways it is a lot like C (if statements, and switch statements), but in many ways is very different (enclosing variables in %% and the set command) - I need to learn when it appropriate to use set, and when to use eval. These things come naturally to anyone who has been scripting for a while, but to me, it's like learning C when all I knew was BASIC!

I have seen some fabulous scripts (I love the Sorceress of the Underworld in the Memlin Caverns - when attacked, turns into a staff, which can't be picked up, for 5 mins) and can see the immense possibilities for a wonderfully interactive MUD. I'm sure I'll be using scripts MUCH more in future...
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[Shamra]

As to when to use set and when to use eval...
If you are setting a variable to a specific value or string ex set is_open 1 or set name Dingodove, you use set. If you are putting an expression into a variable you use eval, for example eval damage 1 + %actor.maxhit% or eval outcome %random.10% + 100. Hope that helps.

[Mordecai]

Switch can be used in multiple ways.
For example, you may want to check if a player said a certain word in a long list of words.

Some builders may tackle this challange by using an IF statement.
Which, is the right thing to do, when you have only a few comparisons you want made.

For example:

[Shamra]

wow I didn't know cases could be strings, nifty.

[Mordecai]

They can be both!
Internally, the switch code basically uses EVAL to compare things
But in a very efficent matter.

Love your work by the way.
J