Introduction to objects

Introduction

In SurgeScript, objects are units of code and data. Each object defines a finite state machine, a mathematical construct used to describe the behavior of in-game objects.

Did you know?

Games implement what is called a game loop. In SurgeScript, the game loop is defined implicitly via state machines. State machines are one of the key features of SurgeScript.

State machines

A finite state machine is a mathematical abstraction composed of a finite number of states and by transitions between these states. Only one state can be active at any given time (we'll call it the active state). There must be one initial state (i.e., the first one to be active). A transition is a change of the active state that is triggered when a certain condition is met.

As a concrete example, suppose that you want to create a door in your game. You, the developer, may open or close the door at will. But what is a door? We have just given informal description of the problem. However, we need to transform it in something more rigorous. Example:

A door is an object with two states (see the Figure below):

• Opened (initial state)
• Closed

From the Opened state, only one transition is possible: Close. Once the Close transition is called, the door will go to the Closed state. Conversely, from the Closed state, only one transition is available: Open. When the Open transition is executed, the door will return to the Opened state.

Objects in SurgeScript

In SurgeScript, each object has a name. Objects may have any number of states you'd like. The initial state is always called main. The syntax is as follows:

object "name of the object"
{
    state "state name"
    {
        // code goes here
    }
}

The following code shows an example of a door that opens and closes (it keep changing states) every 2 seconds:

object "Cosmic Door"
{
    state "main"
    {
        // the object starts at the main state
        state = "opened"; // go to the opened state
    }

    state "opened"
    {
        if(timeout(2)) // if we have been on the opened state for 2+ seconds
            state = "closed"; // go to the closed state
    }

    state "closed"
    {
        if(timeout(2))
            state = "opened";
    }
}

Notice how the code just shown defines states and transitions between these states. Each state contains its own code.

Note: once a state is active, its code will be repeated at every frame of the application until the state changes or until the object is destroyed.