How do you create that source file? Using a third software program: an
:term:`editor`. However, unlike the compiler and interpreter, this program
How do you create that source file? Using a third software program: an
:term:`editor`. However, unlike the compiler and interpreter, this program
double-click the file, it should open in NotePad so that you can see how
it's written, though it probably won't mean much -- yet.
double-click the file, it should open in NotePad so that you can see how
it's written, though it probably won't mean much -- yet.
4. ``MyGame1.bat`` is an MS-DOS batch file (an old kind of text-only
computer program, from the days before point-and-click interfaces) which
runs the Inform compiler. Double-click it; a DOS window opens as the
4. ``MyGame1.bat`` is an MS-DOS batch file (an old kind of text-only
computer program, from the days before point-and-click interfaces) which
runs the Inform compiler. Double-click it; a DOS window opens as the
The second line -- ``pause "at end of compilation"`` -- just prevents the
window from closing before you can read its contents, as it otherwise would
on Windows NT, 2000 and XP.
The second line -- ``pause "at end of compilation"`` -- just prevents the
window from closing before you can read its contents, as it otherwise would
on Windows NT, 2000 and XP.
You'll need to have a new batch file like this to match each new source
file which you create. The only item which will differ in the new file is
the name of the Inform source file -- ``MyGame1`` in this example. You
You'll need to have a new batch file like this to match each new source
file which you create. The only item which will differ in the new file is
the name of the Inform source file -- ``MyGame1`` in this example. You
Although NotePad is adequate when you're getting started, you'll find life
much easier if you obtain a more powerful editor program. We recommend
Although NotePad is adequate when you're getting started, you'll find life
much easier if you obtain a more powerful editor program. We recommend
Whereas our instructions for using Inform on a PC apply to just about all
versions of Windows, on the Macintosh we need to be more precise. Our
guidance here is specifically for Mac OS X, rather than for its predecessor
Whereas our instructions for using Inform on a PC apply to just about all
versions of Windows, on the Macintosh we need to be more precise. Our
guidance here is specifically for Mac OS X, rather than for its predecessor
run in the Classic environment of OS X; roughly speaking, Classic is an
emulation of the older Mac systems.
run in the Classic environment of OS X; roughly speaking, Classic is an
emulation of the older Mac systems.
* X11: based on a windowing system designed for the UNIX/Linux world. They
need an X-Windows server to run, and their appearance and functionality
may seem a lot different to what the Aqua user expects.
* X11: based on a windowing system designed for the UNIX/Linux world. They
need an X-Windows server to run, and their appearance and functionality
may seem a lot different to what the Aqua user expects.
As well as the ones that we recommend, other good text editors are listed
at http://www.firthworks.com/roger/editors/. One feature that's well worth
looking out for is "hotkey compilation" -- being able to run the compiler
As well as the ones that we recommend, other good text editors are listed
at http://www.firthworks.com/roger/editors/. One feature that's well worth
looking out for is "hotkey compilation" -- being able to run the compiler