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SYNTAX OF MACROMEDIA LINGO

When Macromedia Lingo was created, the syntax was designed to mimic spoken language, so it would be easy for beginners to get started. You could write whole HyperTalk-like sentences like:

if the visible of sprite 5 then go to the frame

Although it is still possible to use the old syntax, the latest version of the language fully supports Dot Syntax , so that the code looks more like in standard Programming Languages .

The equivalent in new scripting style would be:

if sprite(5).visible then _movie.go(_movie.frame)

Although this format uses elements of the Document Object Model , introduced in Director MX 2004 , the syntax in prior versions would be like:

if sprite(5).visible then go to the frame


USAGE OF MACROMEDIA LINGO

Macromedia Lingo is embedded into Macromedia Director. This way you don't need to care much about hardware or details of getting things on the screen - the program does this for you.

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is encouraged by both the language and the Director community. However, OOP is not the only way, This offers Director programmers speed and flexibility in development as they work in both a timeline and a programming structure.

There are 3 types of scripts in Macromedia Lingo:
  • behavior scripts are attached to a sprite to control that sprite's properties and movement. They make it easy to program in an object-oriented way, as you can directly see the relationship between the programming and the item they are attached to. They can also control or interact with other sprites, making them a true object.

  • movie scripts are not attached to sprites nor can they be instantiated as Objects. They are available throughout the program (movie) and are especially useful for holding global handlers and initializing global variables at the start or end of the movie.

  • parent scripts are used to "birth" (create instances of) an Object into a Variable using the "new" command. These objects can control sprites and other media remotely, without being attached to any one sprite, may be used to control data or other non-displayed items, and are useful for recursion routines such as pathfinding. A Parent script can be used to create or destroy an object at anytime, freeing them from the confines of the score that a Behavior is limited to.

    • Behavior and '''parent''' scripts encourage good object-oriented programming. '''Movie''' scripts are not as OOP-oriented; however, they can still be used to make "black-box" handlers, where other objects can input raw data and receive answers back, without knowing the inner workings of the box. Using the strengths and ease-of-use of Director's programming methodology, with the advantages of OOP makes for a powerful and fast programming environment.



IMAGING IN MACROMEDIA LINGO

A very powerful part of the language is Imaging Lingo. It was introduced when Director version 8.0 arrived. It gives the user the power of image manipulation with simple commands. There are some similarities to functions of image applications (like Photoshop ), that make it easy to create visual effects.


OTHER LANGUAGES CALLED LINGO

  • A version of APL was released, titled Lingo Allegro . The product still exists however Lingo Allegro recently transferred their domain name to www.lingo.com who provide VoIP solutions.


  • A language called Lingo was released for software development under Windows. This version was designed as a compilable high level programming language.


  • A programming language based on Lisp was developed for the Recursiv CPU developed by Linn micro in Scotland, UK. This language was called Lingo and is significant because the manufacturers successfully obtained a trade mark in the UK.


  • Lingo is also programming language for solving linear, nonlinear and integer optimization problems, first developed in 1988 by Lindo Systems Inc. This language is still in production.


It should be noted these other languages are perhaps not as well known as the Macromedia language. However, a legal anomaly remains in that the legal trademark of the word 'Lingo' in the UK is not held by Macromedia, but by one of the other obscure versions of Lingo.


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