Developing a chat client using Lacewing...

[RGBreality]

Hey, folks!

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post this question, though I didn't find any other forum (either on ClickTeam's site or on Aquasoft's) to post a development question. If this is the wrong forum, please move this post and accept my apologies in advance.

I am developing a basic chat application using MMF2 Developer and Lacewing. I have watched the excellent video tutorials on the basic development of a chat application. I have successfully developed a chat client and have successfully set up a Lacewing server so that I can have a group chat.

The first video tutorial ends such that the chat client will transmit chat messages to all chat members on the channel (chat group). I am trying to extend this basic functionality such that if one clicks on a name in the List Box object of another chat member, the message which is sent will only go to the selected chat member and not to the entire group.

I thought this would be easy, but it's been proving to be more challenging than I thought. Specifically, I can't seem to successfully specify the condition that a string is selected from the List Box, and then the Lacewing action to only send text from the Input Text (edit box) to that chat peer.

I had thought that if I had the condition:
1.) List Box selection had changed;
2.) that the Input Text edit box wasn't empty when the ENTER key is selected

that I could use the Lacewing action:
1.) Send the text from the Input Text (edit box) to peer on Channel 0.

However, it seems that in this arrangement, I haven't specified which List box line is to be read as the peer in which to send the message.

I'm sure that someone who has developed their own chat client from scratch using Lacewing has had to set up this basic chat functionality. I'm hoping such a someone might be able to lead me in the right direction on how to set that up.

Thank you very much in advance! Have a great day!



Most graciously...

RGBreality

[Hernan]

You need to select the peer before sending the text. Use "channel -> peer-> select by name".

[James]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post this question, though I didn't find any other forum (either on ClickTeam's site or on Aquasoft's) to post a development question. If this is the wrong forum, please move this post and accept my apologies in advance.

There's actually a dedicated Lacewing forum here (Clickteam) or here (AquadaSoft).

I had thought that if I had the condition:
1.) List Box selection had changed;
2.) that the Input Text edit box wasn't empty when the ENTER key is selected

that I could use the Lacewing action:
1.) Send the text from the Input Text (edit box) to peer on Channel 0.

However, it seems that in this arrangement, I haven't specified which List box line is to be read as the peer in which to send the message.

All you need to do is add another action to select the peer before you send the text - the one you want is under Channel > Peer > Select by name.

EDIT: Hernan wins!

[RGBreality]

Thanks for the reply, Hernan and Jamie!

I still seem to be stuck, though. When I attempt to create this action, I can't seem to correctly specify the string from the selected List Box line.

So, once I select the Channel > Peer > Select by name Lacewing action, I retrieve from the List Box:

1.) Convert a number to string
2.) Get line data (from List Box)
3.) From the Current line


When I verify the syntax of this expression, I receive that it is mixed strings and numbers.

How would I properly set up this expression?

Thank you both again for your reply!


Most appreciatively...

RGBreality

[James]

The expression would just be List Select$( "List" ).

[RGBreality]

Hmmmm... I still seem to be having problems...

I have two separate conditions set up right now.

One sends to the entire chat group, which merely states that if the Chat Input text box is not empty and ENTER is selected, then send the message to everyone on the chat channel.

When I try to set up another condition to send only to an individual clicked (or even double-clicked) from the List Box (of chat members), the application always routes to the actions as if I was sending to the whole group.

In fact, if I disable the ability to send to the whole group, the application doesn't send messages at all.

I have even set up the specific expression "If the List Box is double-clicked" as the first one in the condition (so that it is in red text).

Yet, nothing seems to work.

What might I be doing wrong?

Thank you again for your help!



Most appreciatively...

RGBreality

[James]

Can I see your MFA?

http://mfa.aquadasoft.com

[RGBreality]

Hey, Jamie!

Thank you again for your assistance!

I have uploaded my MFA file here:

View MFA


I'm afraid it's a mess. (I'm in the process of redesigning this application).

However, I have put one comment that begins with, "Jamie, this is where I'm trying to send messages to individuals in the chat group and not the whole group."

Thank you again for your help! Have a great day!



Most graciously...

RGBreality

[James]

What's all that crazy group stuff? Why not just put the actions next to the condition?

[RGBreality]

Well... Now that you mention it... It does look pretty crazy, doesn't it?...

I think I must have had more actions at an earlier time, thus making me use groups. But now it's obvious that I don't need to do that, do I?

Thank you for the sanity check!

However, after making a revision, I still have the same effect: messages go to all group members and not to a selected one.

I've uploaded a revised MFA file here:

View MFA


Thank you again!



Most appreciatively...

RGBreality