Interested in learning JASS

I have VB expirience and I'm good with understanding concepts. Are there any tutorials on how to learn it?

PS: Where the hell did you guys learn about JASS, is it a common computer language? (I've never heard of it, then again I'm more PnC unlimited [as much as it can be])

Jass (i would assume) is a bit different than vb, im assuming its an actual programing language rather than a web language... im not sure if its object based or not (like C or C++) but i too would rather like to learn jass... if it IS object based then it will be alot easier for every one , can some one tell me if its object based

Ok, about looking for Jass tutorials Try www.warcraftiii.net for them they have 2 begginer tutorials there isn't any real "good" tutorials out yet... but looking on the forums etc will help alot..

JASS is a pretty simple and basic programming language. For anyone who has learned any other, it should be quite understandable. Just look at some of the code.
There is a good reference on
http://jass.sourceforge.net
if you have questions about specific structures.

JASS has been made by Blizzard just for this game.

Matthias, VB is not a web based language, that's VBScript. VB is used for applications. Anyway, I've found JASS to be similar to Java.

Ok well mainly I know lots of HTML, css, java and I understand php, but I cant program in it. Where did you guys start learning? Trial and Error?

I you refer to jass then I learned by converting actual trigger into jass format. If you refer to other languages then books and online tutorials. Just look at alot of code preferably with comments.
I know vb, vbscript, some c++, java ,csharp basic ,some ti83 assembler.

JASS is very similar to JavaScript. Niether language is very complex. I suggest looking up some tutorials on JavaScript (ala Webmonkey). Then come back and read the thread about variables (if you don't know it already).

There are some significant differences between JavaScript and JASS, however. You can figure these out by looking at converted triggers and by looking over the reference manual AIAndy pointed you at: http://jass.sourceforge.net

The biggest one I notice is how you define a function. Javascript uses:

JASS, on the other hand, uses this method: (same as above)


Notice that in Javascript you don't have to define a return type in the function string, so you could return whatever you like. In JASS, you have to define what you are going to return (even if it's nothing). You also have to define what TYPE of param (string, integer, real, order, unit, etc.). That's why string and integer are in front of the param. Also notice how variables are created and defined. You use local type variable to create a local variable of type. And you need to use "set" to define the value of the variable. You also don't have to use the { brackets (this also applies to If/Then statements). Instead, you use "endif" and "endfunction". And finally unlike most languages, JASS doesn't reguire a ; at the end of a command line.

That probally didn't help any. Just look at the two examples for a bit. They do exactly the same thing in the same relative manner. There are more differences (like using "call" to call a function), but you can convert triggers to see how that works....

EDIT: Doesn't look like the forum likes my spaces before the endifs and whatnot. Shifted everything to the left. Sorry about that.

If you consider JavaScript very similar to JASS then nearly all programming languages are very similar to each other.
In if statements and function definition there is usually not that big a difference and in the case of JavaScript and JASS they are nearly on the opposite sides as JavaScript does not have explicit variable types while JASS does. JASS also follows rather the easy to read languages like Pascal while JavaScript is in the style of C.

LOL. Well since I never programmed in Pascal... I get your point though.

Easy to read?! JASS syntax makes baby Tux cry! Code blocks are impossible to distinguish, and the way function headers are done hurts my eyes, and the code just looks overall messy.

Also, if I understand correctly (i.e. if this random bit of information I read somewhare is true :ggani: ), JASS was created by Blizzard.

If I had to compare JASS to another language, I would say its like basic with strong typing. Javascript is not much like C except in basic syntax which is nothing. And yes, you are correct that most imperative languages are alike. There is a reason most programmers know many languages and its not just because it looks good on the resume (though that is nice =-).

If you want to see some different languages, look at different types of programming - C/C++/Basic etc are imperative(and C++/Java are also Object Oriented) languages. Another type is functional. For examples of that, look at Lisp and Scheme. They are much, much different than C and require a different kind of thinking.

I learned jass by converting triggers. Really, I don't know jass, but after converting a trigger I can copy and paste stuff around to make it do what I want, like putting more actions inside a loop, add in a call to a function WE doesn't list, etc. Really basic stuff, but you can do really powerfull things without fully knowing the language.

Edit: parkan is right, JASS is _UGLY_.

Maybe I'm just stupid but when it comes to JASS (after reading tutorials) I still don't understand all the commands to type in, and I haven't found anything to do with local variables either.

Do you just create a command, convert it and copy when you want into a script that you're making or what? Or do you actually know all the commands....?

Did you read the tutorial I just posted yesterday? If you did... Then maybe I'll try to make that part more clear. There is a link in my signature...

I thought I actually addressed both of those issues...

FyreDaug: Nobody is stupid. You just need time to learn JASS. Its really very basic, like pascal. Explore/experiment, convert triggers to custom text. Learn from somebody's script. There are lots of them lying around somewhere here. Try Iki's DEngine...