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This is one of the reasons I still use LiveCode despite middling performance, near-zero library support, and a language spec that was reasonable in 2000: it has

This is one of the reasons I still use LiveCode despite middling performance, near-zero library support, and a language spec that was reasonable in 2000: it has zero dependencies. You can: Go to the web site Download a single installer Run that to produce a single file executable Run the app Create a new project (you get a window for free) Drag a text box from the tool palette onto the window Switch to the arrow tool Click the text box Type "Hello world" Save the project to disk Select Standalone Application Settings on the File menu Check mark to build for MacOS, Windows, and Linux Select Save As Standalone Application on the File menu ...and you get single-file executables for three platforms. That was maybe 13 steps from nothing to multiplatform Hello World. It stuns me that other environments/languages make it harder than that. Many years back I used to do demos for LiveCode at trade shows where I would build a stopwatch timer while holding my breath. These days it would be much better in so many ways to be working in Python. But the lack of an environment like LiveCode is a major pain point. https://livecode.com https://livecode.com in case anyone is curious.

IIsi50MHz 4y ago
What stops me from trying LiveCode is that I don't see a way to buy a non-subscription version (would also have to not be significantly hobbled). All the pricing plans are either grossly expensive (meaning I'd have to already be skilled with LiveCode and have at least one product profitable enough to offset the subscription), or too expensive for what I'd get (too limited features, and everything disables if you stop subscribing…including any ceated apps). Things that make me almost want to try it: It looks like Hypercard (script-wise) and a bit like FutureBASIC II (including the Program Generator), can edit a running program and deploy to various platforms.
- gcanyon 4y ago
  You probably already know this, but: the most affordable option is $10/month for a single platform. It seems perfectly reasonable for trying out the platform. If the license fees for serious development are a non-starter, then it's probably not worth trying out. But: There was an open source version at one point that wasn't economically viable so they discontinued it. In the announcement here: https://livecode.org https://livecode.org they say to email their support team if $10/month is too much for you.
  - IIsi50MHz 4y ago
    Thank you, for the pointer and the followup.
    - gcanyon 4y ago
      Hey, you're welcome. LC has warts, but when I just want to bang out some code to transform this into that, with a few buttons/dropdowns to play with the way it gets transformed, it's my go-to. If there's something else better for that purpose I'd love to know about it -- probably would have to be python-based given all the libraries available for it at this point.
    - gcanyon 4y ago
      I had forgotten there's an effort to maintain the open source version. I don't know how well-maintained it is, but the transition only happened in 2021, so it's probably not too out of date even if nothing has happened since. So how does free sound? http://www.openxtalk.org http://www.openxtalk.org
      - IIsi50MHz 4y ago
        I see some active discussions on the org's forum. Thanks!

IIsi50MHz 4y ago

What stops me from trying LiveCode is that I don't see a way to buy a non-subscription version (would also have to not be significantly hobbled). All the pricing plans are either grossly expensive (meaning I'd have to already be skilled with LiveCode and have at least one product profitable enough to offset the subscription), or too expensive for what I'd get (too limited features, and everything disables if you stop subscribing…including any ceated apps). Things that make me almost want to try it: It looks like Hypercard (script-wise) and a bit like FutureBASIC II (including the Program Generator), can edit a running program and deploy to various platforms.

gcanyon 4y ago
You probably already know this, but: the most affordable option is $10/month for a single platform. It seems perfectly reasonable for trying out the platform. If the license fees for serious development are a non-starter, then it's probably not worth trying out. But: There was an open source version at one point that wasn't economically viable so they discontinued it. In the announcement here: https://livecode.org https://livecode.org they say to email their support team if $10/month is too much for you.
- IIsi50MHz 4y ago
  Thank you, for the pointer and the followup.
  - gcanyon 4y ago
    Hey, you're welcome. LC has warts, but when I just want to bang out some code to transform this into that, with a few buttons/dropdowns to play with the way it gets transformed, it's my go-to. If there's something else better for that purpose I'd love to know about it -- probably would have to be python-based given all the libraries available for it at this point.
  - gcanyon 4y ago
    I had forgotten there's an effort to maintain the open source version. I don't know how well-maintained it is, but the transition only happened in 2021, so it's probably not too out of date even if nothing has happened since. So how does free sound? http://www.openxtalk.org http://www.openxtalk.org
    - IIsi50MHz 4y ago
      I see some active discussions on the org's forum. Thanks!