XML Functions

[andyjohnston]

Nick Pike was going to do a whole series of tutorials over at FS2X.com, but after the first three there's been nothing, I don't know if he's still working on them. Check them out for more detailed info.

Here's a quick run down, I'm just a beginner too.
>
><Click>
What happens when you click on it (obviously)
><Delay>
><Element>
Every part of the XML gauge is an element. Defines that it should do something, more data is to come, etc.
><Failures>
When the gauge will not work (obviously)
>
><Gauge ...........> All the XML Code for a gauge starts
>with it and ends with </Gauge>
> Used to enclose all the XML code and
>show the name and version.
> Example "<Gauge Name="Weight" Version="1.0">"
>
><Item>
Used to give more detail as to how an element should move or rotate, used with nonlinearity or rotate.
><Mouse>
Allows you to define what happens when the mouse moves over, clicks, drags etc
><Nonlinearity>
Used to allow elements to move
><Rotate>
Used to allow elements to rotate
><Text>
Allows for text gauge using strings, digital readouts, etc
><Value>
Used to tell which parameter is being called, also sets minimum and maximum values.
><Visible>
When the gauge is visible (obviously)
>
>
>Thanks for your effort.
>
>Roelof Kruijer (Beginner)
>
>
>
>

[n4gix]

Sometimes it is difficult to put a "one line description" for a particular <tag> (that's what they are called, BTW), since most often they only have meaning within the context of another <tag's> definition...

Adding to the confusion, XML <tag> usage, syntax and definition may well be different depending on whether it is "gauge XML" or "model XML" being considered.

That said, let's let this run awhile, then I'll clean up the format and repost it to the top as an anchored message. ;)

[rkruijer]

Reading what Andy wrote I want to point out that that is not what I had in mind. It is not a beginners job Andy. We should leave it to the skilled programmers and avoid the blind leading the lame! (-:
Here is my suggestion.

Every Tag (Thanks Bill) needs to be described as follows:

Usage:
Required Tags:
Example:

Now look at your ><Failures>
"When the gauge will not work (obviously)"
This happens to me all the time Andy (-:
Usage: When you don't want a gauge to work if a certain condition is true or False. To be used in conjunction with other tags of the same rank.
Required Tags: <Element> ... </Element> +
Example: <Failures> <SYSTEM_ELECTRICAL_PANELS Action="0"/> </Failures>

I am not saying that this is the holy grail so any improvement is welcome. Further more... I am certainly not sure that the above is the correct answer. This is jus an example of how it should look.

Yesterday I wanted to assign a number to a variable.
Reading the tutorials tell me that L and/or G vars are to be used.
Also units have to be used in the expression. So I want the number 36000 in L:My_Name. I can tell you that I had a hard time finding out how to do just that. Only by looking through a lot of gauges I
came up with: 36000 (>L:My_Var_Name,number)
Took me a lot of time. First reading all the docs I had collected.
They tell you what vars to use but not how to do it.
Confusing is also that > is a binary operator for checking the last two stack entries. Look it up in the list of operators.
Here it seems to put 36000 in a variable.???
I still have to test it though so let's keep our voice down.(-:
Roelof

[taguilo]

Hi,

I suggest you go to www.fs2x.com and read the tutorials for beginners (and not so) produced and compiled by Nick Pike.

Currently this would be one of the best start points.

BTW, when I started to dig into XML, FS's own XML gauges plus a few documents posted in other forums were the only sources availables. That was a moment of trial and error, the steepest of all roads...

Tom

[rkruijer]

I have been looking for a list (how do you call these things btw? Functions?) with an explanation on when, where and how to use them. Do they require a higher function to reside in between etc. I randomly took a few but there are plenty more. It would be good for beginners to know what to use for what purpose. So far I am only sure about one type, <Gauge> :) It would be nice if people would add more to the list with their explanation of course. If all the readers would do one or two we would have an exstensive list in the end. If it exists somewhere then this is superfluous of course. Maybe someone can point me to it then!

<Click>
<Delay>
<Element>
<Failures>

<Gauge ...........> All the XML Code for a gauge starts with it and ends with </Gauge>
Used to enclose all the XML code and show the name and version.
Example "<Gauge Name="Weight" Version="1.0">"

<Item>
<Mouse>
<Nonlinearity>
<Rotate>
<Text>
<Value>
<Visible>


Thanks for your effort.

Roelof Kruijer (Beginner)