Function created with Python needs check

I had some problems with spawning objects in the edges of the layer (at random positions). I thought of making an array table that is given an appropriate random variable to allow the object to spawn in the correct position.

I drew up a flow chart but was way to convoluted for my taste so I just learned some python for about 10 minutes and wrote this instead to server my purpose.

def edgeplacement(o,l):
     i = random.randint(1,4)
     xx = 0
     yy = 0
     switch i:
          case i==1:
               xx = 0
               yy = random.randint(0,768)
          case i==2:
               xx = 1024
               yy = random.randint(0,768)
          case i==3:
               xx = random.randint(0,1024)
               yy = 0
          case i==4:
               xx = random.randint(0,1024)
               yy = 768
     else:
          xx = 0
          xy = 0
     newobject = System.Create(o,l,xx,yy)
     newobject.angle = random.random(360)
     return true

* To use random you need to import it prior to using it. It is the best way to import at the beginning of the script:

import random

def edgeplacement
...

There's no switch statement in python, and "Create" works with a the text name of the object.

This works:

from random import randint,random

def edgeplacement(o,l):
   # get the name of the object
   objectName= o.__class__.__name__

   if randint(0,1) == 1:
      x = randint(0,1) * 640
      y = random() * 480
   else:
      x = random() * 640
      y = randint(0,1) * 480
   System.Create(objectName,l,x,y)
   getattr(SOL, objectName).angle = random()*360

There's no switch statement in python

<img src="smileys/smiley9.gif" border="0" align="middle" />

and "Create" works with a the text name of the object.

That's what I was looking for.

from random import randint,random

def edgeplacement(o,l):
   # get the name of the object
   objectName= o.__class__.__name__

   if randint(0,1) == 1:
      x = randint(0,1) * 640
      y = random() * 480
   else:
      x = random() * 640
      y = randint(0,1) * 480
   System.Create(objectName,l,x,y)
   getattr(SOL, objectName).angle = random()*360

Clean and efficient as always! And again something new to learn. Accessing with __class__ is new as is 'getattr' to me. Thank you for sharing it <img src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0" align="middle" />

Thanks heaps R0J0hound. Just knowing how to retrieve names and attributes helped a lot. If only there was some more in depth tutorial of the integration of python and CC or at least a descriptive reference table. I might make one once I master the basics.

I'll digress. I have been wondering how I could make a sprite object appear near this object called 'player'. I wanted to make a proper range limit to it, as in randomly spawn in a circular area around 'player'.

So here's what I've come up with. Using some basic Pythagoras Theorem to randomly spawn objects in a circular area relative to 'player'.

from random import random,randomint,choice
from math import sqrt,pow

def SpawnNearPlayer(o,l,rangeMin,rangeMax):
     objectN = o.__class__.__name__
     playerN = player.__class__.__name__
     
     rads = randomint(rangeMin,rangeMax)     #distance from 'player' object
     xside = randomint(1,rads)*randomint(-1,1)     #randomising x-axis
     yside = sqrt(pow(rads,2) - pow(xside,2))*choice(-1,1)     #randomising y-axis to fit x-axis and distance
     
     #create the object relative to 'player'
     System.Create(objectN,l,
          int(xside)+getattr(SOL,playerN).x,
          int(yside)+getattr(SOL,playerN).y)

Here's good python reference that I use all the time that is easier use than the official docs.

http://www.tutorialspoint.com/python/

Here's my working of the problem.

from random import random,randint
from math import sin,cos

def SpawnNearPlayer(objectName, layer, rangeMin, rangeMax):
   # calculate random polar coordinate.
   random_angle = random()*360 
   random_distance = randint(rangeMin,rangeMax)
   
   # calulate x,y from angle and distance from Player.
   x = random_distance * cos(random_angle) + Player.X
   y = random_distance * sin(random_angle) + Player.Y
   
   #check to see if x,y will be on the layout
   if 0 <= x <= System.LayoutWidth and 0 <= y <= System.LayoutHeight:
      #Yes. create the object
      System.Create(objectName, layer, x, y)
   else:
      #No.  Try a different point.
      SpawnNearPlayer(objectName, layer, rangeMin, rangeMax)

SpawnNearPlayer(Sprite,1, 50,100)

SpawnNearPlayer('Sprite',1, 50,100)

Yet again I thank you. You're about the best help I got here. If only there was a 'like' button... lol

And, ah, I see how you get x and y. It's from something in the lines of (x-a)^2+(y-b)^2=r^2 isn't it? Didn't know that 't' in cos or sin * 't' was the angle between the two points relative to the x axis. Thanks again. ^^

Are you using python for any particular reason, or just trying to learn?

Right now I'm both using python to create various functions for my game and learning at the same time.

But then I did use GML for almost everything in GM8. So in the end I might use more python scripts than I'll click and drag for almost everything.

I wouldn't do so. Construct's event system is very powerful. There are rare occasions where you need to use python or develop your own plug. But almost everything can be done just with events - really :)

(And events will be executed a lot quicker than python scripts)

Oh. Then it's learning purpose :P

I just realised another reason. In python and many other programming languages you don't have to predefine variables like you would in CC. In python I can just have variable 'i' within a method without defining the variable 'i' before hand. In construct though you can't do that, now can you?