The question is simple, but the answer don't seem to be quite as simple, so I'd like to ask the creators of MMF if MMF is or not a programming language ?
The question is simple, but the answer don't seem to be quite as simple, so I'd like to ask the creators of MMF if MMF is or not a programming language ?
Yes
You are giving the computer a series of instructions to follow.
Example -- Your creation doesn't do much unless you program in some events and tell it what to do.
That is programming
You're using the MMF eventing system so then I suppose that is an MMF programming "language".
(If you must have me use that term)
To program a computer you must use something so the computer can figure out what to do and so all those instructions must be the programming language. As its what the computer (and MMF runtime) use to know what you want it to do.
It's a programming tool, and it can be considered a programming language... But since it's not scripted, and only the expressions have a real syntax, I'd say it's hardly a language.
But I don't really understand why you are asking this. Are you using MMF, or only trying to understand what kind of product it is ? In this case there is a demo you should try !
I would agree with Corentin, although it's certainly a moot point.
I guess you could say it's more of a dialect, or accent, than a full language - particularly as it is coded in C++ (I think??).
Although using Jeff's logic, you could state that by interpreting an input, into a desired output, it's classed as a programming language - but then again, I'm a lawyer, so I could argue that a series of farts is comprehensive prose.
Indeed. And MMF2 is one of the most easy to use graphical creation tools ever. I'm making my Christmas e-cards with it.
It's amazing how people whine about the differences between "real" programing languages and Multimedia Fusion 2, and how ones better then the other, but in reality... MMF is closer to programing then almost any other creation tool out there. Especially with the event editor. The flow is almost exact.
The only dev softwares I can think of that could be considered closer to real programming actually integrate and require use of (for high-quality products) a script editor, anyway. With MMF2 it's completely unnecessary~Originally Posted by BrandonC
I also think so, the "no programming required" is really just... dangerous: I got the impression many people end up disappointed and frustrated once the realization everything (from say movements to dialogue engine) has to be programmed manually sets in. The MMF dropoff rate must be huge.
Personally I consider it to be a visual programming language, similar to say "body language", "speech" or "painting" to "written language".
A long list of programming "languages" have been developed that tell the computer what to do. More recently, programs called authoring software has been developed that allows one to program the computer by words rather than complex code. MMF is one of the best authorin programs since it insulates the user almost entirely from a programming language. So, I would say that you are accomplishing the ends using a programming language without using it. The other most popular authoring programs from Flash to Authorware to Director all require the use of a scripting language that is far more complex than using MMF. Of couse, anyone who has made complex applications in MMF knows that the fundamental problems of programming, bugs, conflicting code, sequence of events, are still problems and have to be dealt with. So, kudos to the developers of MMF for creating such a great authoring system that shields us from the difficulties of a true programming language.
Well, this debate could last forever.
In the traditional sense, I guess MMF would be better classified as a GUI based multimedia application builder. Since MMF was built using C++. But then, is C++ less of a programming language than assembly or raw machine code? Is Visual Basic a programming language since you basically just drag and drop buttons to your form, then add your vb code to tell what happens? Would MMF be a programming language if it allowed scripting? And would the event editor be considered GUI, or Visual Scripting?
You could go on endlessly.
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what it is if it gets the job done.
Bottom line: if you're in it for rapid development and ease of use, it's a great product. If you want to get a job as a computer programmer for some software company, you're going to have to learn more traditional languages.
MMF2 does what I need and a lot easier for me than trying to do the same thing in C++.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote