I’m excited to know if it works out for you. When it’s released (this Wednesday) be sure to let us know what suggestions and ideas for improvements you have!
Really looking forward to this. I am in the middle of deciding what to do with my career.
I work as a UNIX admin and have some basic programming skills and am looking for a way
to move into IOS programming perhaps with Lua or similar. When I saw Codify it gave me
an insight into what can be done, so I am actually quite excited about a prototyping tool I can
use on the ipad and then perhaps take further. One thing I am missing is a definitive starting
point for IOS programming, so this will be good!
While I would definitely recommend Codify for creating visual oriented apps, games and simulations, it does not have tools for developing iOS user interfaces.
Codify is very much about getting things on the screen quickly. Trying interactions. Personally I have found being able to identify and throw out bad ideas before you put too much work into them to be the essence of prototyping.
This is an amazing app. I started learning the iOS language and what can I do with it, it was hard but I started messing around with this application and it’s just amazing!
Great work and thanks for such a clever application.
Good job.
Hi,
I just downloaded Codify and it looks great! I understand what you mean
when you say that the UI is a separate set of libraries and so on which Codify
does not do, but if I understand correctly, the script code created and prototyped
in Codify could be added to an app linked with the Lua library? Then use
some type of callback to access the GUI elements built in objective C & xcode?
I am just kicking off with xcode, but have done a little with gcc over the years
and have tweaked macports and solaris builds when they don’t work for me!
Thanks very much for this. I can learn a lot with Codify, by the looks of it….
We are looking at how to open source the rendering engine / backend used by Codify. It is fairly simple – as you can see from the example projects. But this will allow Codify projects to be linked into arbitrary code, such as native iOS apps.
Linking with just the Lua library is not enough, as there are some Codify specific types and functions (graphics, multi-touch in particular). But this is something we plan to address by releasing the source code for those bits.
Hi, your app looks great.. am i right in assuming there is no way to run the apps outside of your ide? you couldn’t write a game and sell it for example?
Just downloaded it, and I’m looking forward to playing with it! (and, when my son – who’s six – is a little older, I’m looking forward to teaching him some coding basics)
My first little sticky block is that, I had hoped to be able to get into the projects and start messing around with them so did this:
Opened codify. Clicked on Project. Glimpsed at code. Ran it. Modified code. Ran it. Then went to save the code (incl my modifications) but no dice! Went back to the projects, hoping that my edits would be auto saved, but again – it wasn’t. As I understand, the intent is to duplicate a sample project BEFORE modifying – but coming to it new it’s not what I was anticipating.
FWIW I’m coming to codify as someone who remembers fondly keying in BASIC programs in the 80s and wants his kids to have a similar experience – (though right now, they’re a little young for it). Prototyping projects isn’t what I’m about so much as just playing with code and hoping to reflex some slightly rusty muscles.
PJ Holden – I’m really sorry you ran into that! I’ve done it a few times myself. I am putting a warning in for the next update, and then perhaps will add a save prompt when you close a modified example.
Really hope you enjoy it though, let me know if you have any problems.
Hah! Glad you’ve done it to, now I don’t feel like an idiot!
I would say though, that my expectation now with the iPad apps in general is that things just save – no need for warnings or prompts. You edit a template and it should autosave itself in the background, allowing you to go and delete it or keep it forever.
and a biggy…. I am seeing an issue where the previous rendering (project run) is showing as a flickering image under the current run. It seems to take about five or six play/back cycles to clear it.
original ipad 4.3.5 (I’m a lazy updater, or just like to always have a present under the tree!
Reference should appear quickly if you are in the same orientation. If you change orientations it can be slow to load due to javascript processing to recompute the layout. I’ll look into this again though.
The second issue is actually just the back buffer not being cleared. Simply add the line:
background(0,0,0)
To the start of your draw() function to ensure that the background is cleared before drawing. I will be making this the default new project template in the next version.
Surprised that they approved this, but who’s to complain!
I think Codify could very well be enough for “normal people” to make complete games for iOS if we could export projects as xcode projects or something like that. As a professional programmer, albeit not iOS, I know I’d be tempted to use it for spare time projects. Some things I’d like to see would be support for importing and *sharing* sprite and sound libraries, and of course entire projects (perhaps in library form too?).
Is there a way to get programs created in codify, out of codify? Want to use in other app or site.
I did see one comment that said cut and paste to and from would work, will this method preserve the app and all interactions (ie. muti point, accelerometer ,etc. ) in tact on the others side of codify?
Reference
I have only been working in Landscape and the reference always displays the loading/activity spinner (about 3 secs) even when I just double tap the eye to hide and then reshow – its a tiny thing and the reference in Safari is equally beautiful/useable.
background(0,0,0)
Got it , thanks, brilliant I was a bit freaked to see the previous project like a faint ghost.
Very nice app…I bought it after following the link from Daring Fireball. One question …is there a PDF of the documentation available? I’m old school, I’d like to have a hard copy of the docs beside me as I work!
Good job on the app, I just bought it and am playing around with it. I was looking for an email link to send you inquiry but since I can’t find one I will see if I could tweak your interest.
I am planning on porting Marten to iOS, wondering what you would think of a marriage so to speak of Marten with Codify? The possibilites are self evident I think. Contact me to start up a discussion.
Hi,
I just bought it yesterday ans i am impressed of what you can do with it.
First i thought it was more a program like “klick and Play” from the 90s, but you need to program here much more.
Still i find it cool that i can create now something on my ipad. I guess i need to refresh my c++ knowledge and mix it with lua. Maybe I can even import some my old written programs and addapt them to the lua syntax.
Oh yes, i really hope that soon you will have some kind of forum so people can help each other. That would be great!!
We do have a Codea forum here: http://twolivesleft/Codea/Talk – there’s quite a few cool things there. People have managed to import their own graphics, port Codify/Codea projects to run on Mac and Windows, written font renderers, and more.
My utmost respect goes to you for creating this amazing programming environment. I have been learning a lot of Lua since the interpreters started to filter thru the App Store. For anyone doubting that they could not learn it, they can. Lua is the perfect language to learn programming and also ideal for those who tinkered in BASIC years ago. Codify seems like an ideal Lua environment, I can’t wait to see how this develops and where it will go. Kudos!
Wow! Fantastic looking app! Unfortunatly my background knowledge of coding and Lua are pretty much non existant! I was wondering if anyone would be able to reccomend a website or book or somewhere where I would be able to learn Lua from scratch? Any help would be very much appreciated as I am incredibly keen to start building simulations and games on Codify!
RSS
So excited about this – for myself and for my young nephew who always talks about wanting to learn how to make games… THANK YOU THANK YOU
I’m excited to know if it works out for you. When it’s released (this Wednesday) be sure to let us know what suggestions and ideas for improvements you have!
Really looking forward to this. I am in the middle of deciding what to do with my career.
I work as a UNIX admin and have some basic programming skills and am looking for a way
to move into IOS programming perhaps with Lua or similar. When I saw Codify it gave me
an insight into what can be done, so I am actually quite excited about a prototyping tool I can
use on the ipad and then perhaps take further. One thing I am missing is a definitive starting
point for IOS programming, so this will be good!
I’m glad to hear your enthusiasm
While I would definitely recommend Codify for creating visual oriented apps, games and simulations, it does not have tools for developing iOS user interfaces.
Codify is very much about getting things on the screen quickly. Trying interactions. Personally I have found being able to identify and throw out bad ideas before you put too much work into them to be the essence of prototyping.
This is an amazing app. I started learning the iOS language and what can I do with it, it was hard but I started messing around with this application and it’s just amazing!
Great work and thanks for such a clever application.
Good job.
Hi,
I just downloaded Codify and it looks great! I understand what you mean
when you say that the UI is a separate set of libraries and so on which Codify
does not do, but if I understand correctly, the script code created and prototyped
in Codify could be added to an app linked with the Lua library? Then use
some type of callback to access the GUI elements built in objective C & xcode?
I am just kicking off with xcode, but have done a little with gcc over the years
and have tweaked macports and solaris builds when they don’t work for me!
Thanks very much for this. I can learn a lot with Codify, by the looks of it….
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for purchasing Codify!
We are looking at how to open source the rendering engine / backend used by Codify. It is fairly simple – as you can see from the example projects. But this will allow Codify projects to be linked into arbitrary code, such as native iOS apps.
Linking with just the Lua library is not enough, as there are some Codify specific types and functions (graphics, multi-touch in particular). But this is something we plan to address by releasing the source code for those bits.
I got it right away! where I can write about bugs suggestions etc?
Thanks Daxx!
For now just email them to me (simeon AT twolivesleft.com). We’re working on setting up forums for Codify.
Is that a limitation from Apple that the programs can’t run full screen?
No, that’s our limitation. We’ll be adding a fullscreen mode soon!
Hi, your app looks great.. am i right in assuming there is no way to run the apps outside of your ide? you couldn’t write a game and sell it for example?
Just downloaded it, and I’m looking forward to playing with it! (and, when my son – who’s six – is a little older, I’m looking forward to teaching him some coding basics)
My first little sticky block is that, I had hoped to be able to get into the projects and start messing around with them so did this:
Opened codify. Clicked on Project. Glimpsed at code. Ran it. Modified code. Ran it. Then went to save the code (incl my modifications) but no dice! Went back to the projects, hoping that my edits would be auto saved, but again – it wasn’t. As I understand, the intent is to duplicate a sample project BEFORE modifying – but coming to it new it’s not what I was anticipating.
FWIW I’m coming to codify as someone who remembers fondly keying in BASIC programs in the 80s and wants his kids to have a similar experience – (though right now, they’re a little young for it). Prototyping projects isn’t what I’m about so much as just playing with code and hoping to reflex some slightly rusty muscles.
PJ Holden – I’m really sorry you ran into that! I’ve done it a few times myself. I am putting a warning in for the next update, and then perhaps will add a save prompt when you close a modified example.
Really hope you enjoy it though, let me know if you have any problems.
Hah! Glad you’ve done it to, now I don’t feel like an idiot!
I would say though, that my expectation now with the iPad apps in general is that things just save – no need for warnings or prompts. You edit a template and it should autosave itself in the background, allowing you to go and delete it or keep it forever.
Completely agree about saving. Will implement behaviour like this.
Totally fantastic I absolutely love it.
Couple of issues on my original iPad..
Reference is rather slow to appear each time
and a biggy…. I am seeing an issue where the previous rendering (project run) is showing as a flickering image under the current run. It seems to take about five or six play/back cycles to clear it.
original ipad 4.3.5 (I’m a lazy updater, or just like to always have a present under the tree!
Rob, thanks for your feedback.
Reference should appear quickly if you are in the same orientation. If you change orientations it can be slow to load due to javascript processing to recompute the layout. I’ll look into this again though.
The second issue is actually just the back buffer not being cleared. Simply add the line:
background(0,0,0)
To the start of your draw() function to ensure that the background is cleared before drawing. I will be making this the default new project template in the next version.
I just got this, great app. But is there no way to export the code to publish my own app ?
I tried copying and pasting into textastic and that works great. (works vice versa as well)
Surprised that they approved this, but who’s to complain!
I think Codify could very well be enough for “normal people” to make complete games for iOS if we could export projects as xcode projects or something like that. As a professional programmer, albeit not iOS, I know I’d be tempted to use it for spare time projects. Some things I’d like to see would be support for importing and *sharing* sprite and sound libraries, and of course entire projects (perhaps in library form too?).
Is there a way to get programs created in codify, out of codify? Want to use in other app or site.
I did see one comment that said cut and paste to and from would work, will this method preserve the app and all interactions (ie. muti point, accelerometer ,etc. ) in tact on the others side of codify?
Best,
D:
Reference
I have only been working in Landscape and the reference always displays the loading/activity spinner (about 3 secs) even when I just double tap the eye to hide and then reshow – its a tiny thing and the reference in Safari is equally beautiful/useable.
background(0,0,0)
I was a bit freaked to see the previous project like a faint ghost.
Got it , thanks, brilliant
Great app! Sound doesn’t work at all on iPad 1, which is rather disappointing. Hope you can fix that!
Sound problem “fixed” by restarting iPad and reinstalling Codify. No idea what went wrong, but it works beautifully now and I love it!
Very nice app…I bought it after following the link from Daring Fireball. One question …is there a PDF of the documentation available? I’m old school, I’d like to have a hard copy of the docs beside me as I work!
Thanks for a great app…
Excelent for simple kids games.
Any chances to integrate github or dropbox.
Any chance that the next update will have the possibility to use own made jpg and mp3 files?
Good job on the app, I just bought it and am playing around with it. I was looking for an email link to send you inquiry but since I can’t find one I will see if I could tweak your interest.
I am planning on porting Marten to iOS, wondering what you would think of a marriage so to speak of Marten with Codify? The possibilites are self evident I think. Contact me to start up a discussion.
If your not aware of what Marten is look at http://andescotia.com
Hi,
I just bought it yesterday ans i am impressed of what you can do with it.
First i thought it was more a program like “klick and Play” from the 90s, but you need to program here much more.
Still i find it cool that i can create now something on my ipad. I guess i need to refresh my c++ knowledge and mix it with lua. Maybe I can even import some my old written programs and addapt them to the lua syntax.
Oh yes, i really hope that soon you will have some kind of forum so people can help each other. That would be great!!
Hi David
Thanks for buying it
Hope you’re having fun.
We do have a Codea forum here: http://twolivesleft/Codea/Talk – there’s quite a few cool things there. People have managed to import their own graphics, port Codify/Codea projects to run on Mac and Windows, written font renderers, and more.
Cool! I am gonna check it out rightnow.
I like the new name! Sounds like CODE-A and you can’t get higher than at!
I am goona make my account right away
My utmost respect goes to you for creating this amazing programming environment. I have been learning a lot of Lua since the interpreters started to filter thru the App Store. For anyone doubting that they could not learn it, they can. Lua is the perfect language to learn programming and also ideal for those who tinkered in BASIC years ago. Codify seems like an ideal Lua environment, I can’t wait to see how this develops and where it will go. Kudos!
Wow! Fantastic looking app! Unfortunatly my background knowledge of coding and Lua are pretty much non existant! I was wondering if anyone would be able to reccomend a website or book or somewhere where I would be able to learn Lua from scratch? Any help would be very much appreciated as I am incredibly keen to start building simulations and games on Codify!