Modularity/docs/Scripting.md

Modularity C++ Scripting Quickstart

Project setup

• Scripts live under Scripts/ (configurable via Scripts.modu).
• The engine generates a wrapper per script when compiling. It exports fixed entry points with extern "C" linkage:
  • Script_OnInspector(ScriptContext&)
  • Script_Begin(ScriptContext&, float deltaTime)
  • Script_Spec(ScriptContext&, float deltaTime)
  • Script_TestEditor(ScriptContext&, float deltaTime)
  • Script_Update(ScriptContext&, float deltaTime) (fallback if TickUpdate is absent)
  • Script_TickUpdate(ScriptContext&, float deltaTime)
• Build config file: Scripts.modu (auto-created per project). Keys:
  • scriptsDir, outDir, includeDir=..., define=..., linux.linkLib, win.linkLib, cppStandard.

Lifecycle hooks

• Inspector: Script_OnInspector(ScriptContext&) is called when the script is inspected in the UI.
• Begin: Script_Begin runs once per object instance before ticking.
• Spec/Test: Script_Spec and Script_TestEditor run every frame when the global “Spec Mode” / “Test Mode” toggles are enabled (Scripts menu).
• Tick: Script_TickUpdate runs every frame for each script; Script_Update is a fallback if TickUpdate is missing.
• All tick-style hooks receive deltaTime (seconds) and the ScriptContext.

ScriptContext helpers

Available methods:

• FindObjectByName, FindObjectById
• SetPosition, SetRotation, SetScale
• MarkDirty (flags the project as having unsaved changes) Fields:
• engine: pointer to the Engine
• object: pointer to the owning SceneObject
• script: pointer to the owning ScriptComponent (gives access to per-script settings)

Persisting per-script settings

• Each ScriptComponent has settings (key/value strings) serialized with the scene.
• You can read/write them via ctx.script->settings or helper functions in your script.
• After mutating settings or object transforms, call ctx.MarkDirty() so Ctrl+S captures changes.

Example pattern (simplified)

static bool autoRotate = false;
static glm::vec3 speed = {0, 45, 0};

void Script_OnInspector(ScriptContext& ctx) {
    ImGui::Checkbox("Auto Rotate", &autoRotate);
    ImGui::DragFloat3("Speed", &speed.x, 1.f, -360.f, 360.f);
    ctx.MarkDirty();
}

void Script_Begin(ScriptContext& ctx, float) {
    ctx.MarkDirty(); // ensure initial state is saved
}

void Script_TickUpdate(ScriptContext& ctx, float dt) {
    if (autoRotate && ctx.object) {
        ctx.SetRotation(ctx.object->rotation + speed * dt);
    }
}

Runtime behavior

• Scripts tick for all objects every frame, even if not selected.
• Spec/Test toggles are global (main menu → Scripts).
• Compile scripts via the UI “Compile Script” button or run the build command; wrapper generation is automatic.