Question: What is the GameMaker programming language?

Answer

GameMaker Studio, developed by YoYo Games, is a popular engine for creating 2D games. Its built-in programming language is known as GameMaker Language (GML). GML is designed to be accessible for beginners but also provides enough complexity and flexibility for more experienced developers.

Basic Syntax:

GML has a syntax similar to languages like JavaScript or C++. It uses semicolons to end statements, curly braces for blocks of code, and double slashes for single-line comments:

// This is a comment in GML
var health = 100;
if (health > 0) {
    // Player is alive
} else {
    // Player is dead
}

Variables and Data Types:

GML includes dynamic typing, meaning variables do not need a specified data type and can change types as needed. Basic data types include strings, numbers, arrays, and more.

var name = "Player One"; // String
var score = 5000;        // Number
var powerUps = [true, false, true]; // Array

Functions and Control Structures:

GML provides a range of functions that can be used for various tasks such as manipulating sprites, handling user input, and managing game states. Control structures include if-else statements, switch cases, loops, and more.

for (var i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
    if (i == 5) continue; // Skip the rest of this iteration if i is 5
    show_debug_message(i);
}

switch (playerState) {
    case "idle":
        // Handle idle state
        break;
    case "running":
        // Handle running state
        break;
    // ... other cases ...
}

Events:

In GameMaker, objects have events such as Create, Step, Draw, and Destroy, which are triggered during the game's lifecycle. You write GML within these events to define an object's behavior:

// Inside the Step event of an object
if (keyboard_check(vk_left)) {
    x -= speed; // Move left
}

Resources and Objects:

GML interacts with GameMaker's resource system, which includes Sprites, Sounds, Objects, Rooms, and more. The programming language ties the logic to these resources for gameplay functionality.

Advanced Features:

For the more advanced users, GML supports scripts (reusable functions), data structures, surfaces, shaders, and DLL extension functions for added capabilities.

// Example of a script
function dealDamage(enemy, damage) {
    enemy.health -= damage;
    if (enemy.health <= 0) {
        enemy.isDead = true;
    }
}

Understanding GML requires learning its syntax, functions, and how it integrates with GameMaker's event-driven model. It's a powerful tool, enabling a wide range of game development possibilities.