What's the Difference Between Ruby and RGSS3?

[ZAiKAi]

I need to know the overall difference(if there is one) between RGSS3 and normal Ruby, because I'm looking to learn to script for RPGMaker and I need to know whether I need specifically an RGSS3 book or a normal Ruby book.

 

[Tsukihime]

I would say there is no significant difference if you are just starting out with Ruby.


Any ruby book would be enough to get you writing almost any script you need.


It's when you start talking about more complex things like network libraries would you find the limitations with RGSS3.

 

[Ossra]

When you are looking around for books or documentation, just remember that RPG Maker VXA uses Ruby version 1.9.2.

 

[Andar]

I need to know the overall difference(if there is one) between RGSS3 and normal Ruby, because I'm looking to learn to script for RPGMaker and I need to know whether I need specifically an RGSS3 book or a normal Ruby book.

RGSS is based on Ruby and uses the same syntax and basic commands, but the advanced and complex commands were changed for use in gaming, especially the RPGM-Series.
In RGSS, you'll find a lot of RM-specific options (that are missing in general Ruby), while some unneccessary (not needed for RPGM) functions from Ruby were removed for RGSS.


If you're just learning, then use any Ruby tutorial - the differences will become obvious when you enter specific gaming/RPGM-areas.

 

[FenixFyreX]

RGSS(1,2,3,...n) have thus far been a gaming API implemented via the Ruby language by Enterbrain for use in their RPG Maker products. It extends Ruby to deal with gaming concepts, but restricts and changes Ruby in several aspects, as to keep the internal system(s) like Audio, Tilemap, etc under lock and key (closed-source), and to reduce type-type (for instance, rooting all directory and file classes to the project directory).

Basically RGSS is a collection of code implemented in the Ruby language, aka an API or foundation for developers to work with, instead of having to do it themselves (read reinventing the wheel...for this usecase at least).

Sooo, the difference is that Ruby is an actual programming language, whereas RGSS is a collection, or codebase written (mostly) in said language. While you can have just Ruby, you can't have just RGSS without Ruby. As for your reason behind this question, learning only what is 'necessary' to get by creating your game isn't exactly the best way to go about things. I would highly recommend learning Ruby as it is, then extending your knowledge with RGSS(insert number here). That way, all the concepts are oriented around your knowledge of Ruby, making you a more robust and adept code developer.

 

[orochii]

In RGSS, you'll find a lot of RM-specific options (that are missing in general Ruby), while some unneccessary (not needed for RPGM) functions from Ruby were removed for RGSS.

But ruby network handling and HTTP handling aren't innecesary :'C. Actually that makes a new suggestion for a next RPG Maker. If RPG Maker could make use of HTTP GET queries, it could be integrated with net applications easily (I'm thinking about a particular game portal). Again I know Win32API exists and that pretty much covers any need you have, but Win32API is not the best solution for everything.
But yeah, if you're learning you will probably not miss anything in particular when dealing with RGSS,

Orochii Zouveleki

 

[FenixFyreX]

@muramasa - Actually, RM can handle HTTP requests and such; really, if you just 'copy' over some of the missing libraries from RPG Makers' versions of ruby into the root directory or any subdirectory of your project and 'require' or 'load' them in to the Ruby workspace, you can use them in your code, UNLESS they require a *.so file.

If that is the case, you'll need to find a copy of an uncompressed msvcrt-ruby191.dll and hook into the method 'Init_LoadSo' within said dll, to be able to load them. Of course this is only theory and discussion, but I'd assume it'd be a workaround to Enterbrain's disabling of .so files.