How to write plugins?

[S0mbre]

Hi everyone!

A question to the "seasoned" developers for AMS: How can one write a full action plugin for AMS, so that it is seen in the Project -> Plugins dialog and in the Actions wizard (its functions)?

I've noticed that a plugin is basically an .lmd file contained in the Plugins\Actions\[Plugin name] folder (together with a small text .lic file). How is that LMD file written? Is it a kind of lua-coded text file or what?

Thank you in advance.

[HMMurdock]

The .lmd files are actually .dll files that are (someone correct me if I'm wrong) Compiled in C++

To learn more about creating plugins, search the forums for "Plugin Development Kit" and download the SDK.

[RizlaUK]

yes, the c++ functions are mapped into the lua engine, c++ is not easy to learn even with the SDK, you need to know c++ and some lua API in order to write action plugins, i'll be honest, it still baffels me!

[Centauri Soldier]

It would be really cool if someone who new who to write plugins could write a GUI (in AMS) that would offer certain options and then generate the C++ code needed to make the plugin and maybe even compile it...now that would be smooth.

[S0mbre]

It would be really cool if someone who new who to write plugins could write a GUI (in AMS) that would offer certain options and then generate the C++ code needed to make the plugin and maybe even compile it...now that would be smooth.

That's what I was dreaming of... It wouldn't be that difficult to realize, once API and C++ functions can be translated into Lua. I do know some C++ (not much) and some Delphi, but, honestly, I'd be better off coding in Lua or Python or PHP, at least

Thank you, guys!

[ShadowUK]

That's what I was dreaming of... It wouldn't be that difficult to realize, once API and C++ functions can be translated into Lua. I do know some C++ (not much) and some Delphi, but, honestly, I'd be better off coding in Lua or Python or PHP, at least

Thank you, guys!

You can write plugins in Lua format too. Just some people don't agree with me but a plugin is actually just an addon to add more functionality to software, Not a dll.

[S0mbre]

I've downloaded IR's SDK and was confirmed that the lmd files are indeed DLLs. But jee! writing those DLLs! I think I'll give up the idea for now wouldn't mess with it, for one.

To ShadowUK: If it is possible to write a plugin in Lua, i'd like to find out how to do it. I think I've seen such a plugin (the Database plugin posted recently). What it does, it adds the Actions XML file to the Data\Actions folder and appends the functions to the Includes\_notification_messages.txt file. But what's wrong with this (indeed simple) way is that every time the application starts, it shows a dialog with the function elements...

To recap, I think, the way to develop AMS plugins is here, in the second mode. There should a way to make a simple GUI applet that would let users to simply write the familiar Lua code into specific fields, press buttons (like "Compile") -- and never worry about DLL mapping, calling conventions, PASCAL language, MFC, header files, helper functions, buffer size management, memory overflow - and the like things which can make even the seasoned coder go grey!

[ShadowUK]

I've downloaded IR's SDK and was confirmed that the lmd files are indeed DLLs. But jee! writing those DLLs! I think I'll give up the idea for now wouldn't mess with it, for one.

To ShadowUK: If it is possible to write a plugin in Lua, i'd like to find out how to do it. I think I've seen such a plugin (the Database plugin posted recently). What it does, it adds the Actions XML file to the Data\Actions folder and appends the functions to the Includes\_notification_messages.txt file. But what's wrong with this (indeed simple) way is that every time the application starts, it shows a dialog with the function elements...

Delete the Dialog.Message at the end.

To recap, I think, the way to develop AMS plugins is here, in the second mode. There should a way to make a simple GUI applet that would let users to simply write the familiar Lua code into specific fields, press buttons (like "Compile") -- and never worry about DLL mapping, calling conventions, PASCAL language, MFC, header files, helper functions, buffer size management, memory overflow - and the like things which can make even the seasoned coder go grey!

Of course, But what are the chances.

[Imagine Programming]

You can write plugins in Lua format too. Just some people don't agree with me but a plugin is actually just an addon to add more functionality to software, Not a dll.

agreed, but still, it would be nice to be able to write object plugins ^_^