The console is for executing quick single-line snippets of code there and then. Use an external text-editor for writing plugins. There exist free text-editors aimed at programming, e.g.
Visual Studio Code; apps like this often have helpful features like syntax highlighting, auto-indenting, etc...makes coding much easier than if you just use Notepad!
You can investigate existing objects via the console's autocomplete feature, e.g. if you type in
$gamePlayer., the autocomplete list will appear, showing the various properties and methods available on the
$gamePlayer object. This is only really helpful if you know the name of an object worth investigating, though.
I feel the basic stuff to get familiar with before developing a plugin includes:
- Object-oriented programming (OOP) - objects, properties, methods, inheritance, etc.
- JavaScript (JS) - object types, grammar, syntax, other defining features like the prototype model, etc.
- RPG Maker MV's core scripts - how they're structured, how the code handles game flow, etc.
Not sure if you're already familiar with OOP or JS, but points 1 & 2 can be learned via a decent JavaScript beginner's tutorial if necessary. There are
tutorials on MDN but they understandably focus on integrating JavaScript with HTML (unnecessary for most RPG Maker MV code). Others may have better suggestions for tutorials if needed.
Point 3 is necessary to the extent that you can't modify an existing system without understanding what you're working with! You can learn by reading the core scripts or existing plugins yourself (find them in your project's
js folder, try starting with
rpg_objects.js) and/or by finding a tutorial on the subject, e.g. Trihan's
Jump into JavaScript thread.
