Feature request: Advanced constructs

[Monniasza]

This suggestion presents a new programming language for use in KSP.

[Monniasza]

Strings must be now explicitly stated either by single or double quotation marks, otherwise, they will be treated as variables, which might cause errors.

To create a new key, you must place '+' or '$' before the setter

All other existing syntax will be preserved

Functions

• getVar(variable) - get a variable, starting here
• getVarRoot(variable) - get a variable by the name, starting from root
  or key correspondingly. The first parameter is optional and is used to track the number of calls.
• Variables belonging to the local node are obtained by simply typing their name.
• To get variables from ancestors, use ##$...$ instead.
  regexp(pattern,string) - run regexp expression on a string
• sin, cos, tan, log10, ln, log2, expE, exp10, mod, exp, sec, csc, sqrt, curt, root, log - math functions
• getKey(...) :
  • 2 inputs: name, index - get a single key by index
  • 1 input: name - get all keys by name
  • 1 input: key - get key's value
  • no inputs - get all keys under all names
• getKeyValue(...): Like getKey(...), but gets values, not the keys themselves.
• setKey(...) :
  • 3 inputs: key name, index, value - set given key at the given index to the given value
  • 2 inputs: key, value: sets given a key to a given value
  • 2 inputs: keys, value: sets all given keys to a single value
  • 2 inputs: keys, values: sets keys to the corresponding values
  • 2 inputs: key name, values: sets keys under given name to the corresponding values
  • 2 inputs: key name, value: sets keys under given name to a single value
  • If you want to set multiple keys to a list, use setKeyDuplicate function
• setKeyDuplicate(...):
  • 2 inputs: key name, value: sets keys under given name to a single value
  • 2 inputs: keys, value: sets all given keys to a single value
• call(func, inputs): calls a function with given list of inputs
• getKey(...) :
  • 2 inputs: name, index - get a single key by index
  • 1 input: name - get all keys by name
  • 1 input: key - get key's value
  • no inputs - get all keys under all names
• getNodeValue(...): Like getNode(...), but gets values, not the nodes themselves.
• setNode(...) :
  • 3 inputs: node name, index, value - set given node at the given index to the given value
  • 2 inputs: node, value: sets given a node to a given value
  • 2 inputs: nodes, value: sets all given nodes to a single value
  • 2 inputs: nodes, values: sets nodes to the corresponding values
  • 2 inputs: node name, values: sets nodes under given name to the corresponding values
  • 2 inputs: node name, value: sets nodes under given name to a single value
  • If you want to set multiple nodes to a list, use setKeyDuplicate function
• setNodeDuplicate(...):
  • 2 inputs: node name, value: sets nodes under given name to a single value
  • 2 inputs: nodes, value: sets all given nodes to a single value
    Setter prefixes

---

'$' as a modifier - creates a temporary variable
'$$' as a modifier - creates a long-term variable, but it is removed after all scripts finish.

Basic data types

String, node, key, number, boolean, list, anonymous function

Advanced data types

Achieved through specialized functions.

Operators

• + adddition
• - substraction
• * multiplication
• / division
• ^ exponent
• | OR
• ! NOT
• & AND
• \ XOR
• !| NOR
• !& NAND
• !\ XNOR
• = equal
• > more
• < less
• <= !> not more
• >= !< not less
• <> != not equal

Grouping

• () parentheses
• <% ... %> code sections (they do not start a new node).
• [[...]] - list

Why double brackets?

Double symbols are much rarer in the text - to say text explicitly, use quotation marks.

Where?

It will need a new file format - which distinguishes it from simpler patches.
Suggestions for file extension:

• mm - from 'module manager'
• akp - from 'advanced kerbal patch'
• kscript - from 'kerbal script'
• kpscript - from 'kerbal patch script'

Why?

• KSP API is too complex for beginners
• Existing capabilities are insufficient for extremely advanced users

How?

Existing patches should not be called 'scripts' - they will be more advanced form of data.

Constructs

• Define function: FUNCTIONDEF[...] <%...%>. Place inputs within square brackets, and in double curly brackets place code. The FUNCTIONDEF is a reserved name in this programming language (but not in CFG files). The first input names the function, following ones are input variable names.
• Define anonymous function: FUNCTIONANONYM[...] <%...%>. Place inputs within square brackets, and in double curly brackets place code. The FUNCTIONANONYM is a reserved name in this programming language (but not in CFG files).
• for($x = 0; #$x# < 10; @x += 1) - a 'for' loop
• foreach($x = 0;@NODE[y]) <%...%> or foreach($x = 0;#key) <%...%>and - runs an action for every node or key
• if(cond) <%...%> elseif(cond2) <%...%>} else <%...%>} - conditional statement
• fornode(node) <%...%> - run given code for a given node
• `try <%...%> catch($exc) <%...%> - if first block throws an error or exception, call second block

'-' with text

"qwertyuiop" - 3 = "qwertyu"
3 - "qwertyuiop" = "rtyuiop"
3 - "qwertyuiop" - 3 = "rtyu"

Remove the last instance:
"anobnoa" -< "no" = "anoba" Remove last instance
"anobnoa" >- "no" = "abnoa" Remove first instance
"anobnoa" - "no" = "aba" Remove all instances