So I work on AI. I research. I have something I want to code. I can’t code, lol. I wish I had a visual programming tool because I just refuse to learn another language as my mind is focused on AI too much. I know UE4 has a complete one, just tricky to learn. However 2 things come to mind: Can I really create just a text AI algorithm in UE4 Blueprints with no game? And where do I start. Let me explain my idea a bit below and you tell me if this can be done in UE4 and what blocks/nodes would be my starting points.
I want to ask the user for text input, save it in a variable.
I want to ask the user for 2 numbers, then the code must randomly pick a number between the 2 user set numbers. And store the number.
Ask the user to pick 1 of 3 choices - END, START, or RANDOM, and store the decision. Also, if END or RANDOM was chosen, then another variable called END=True, else END=False id START was chosen.
Place the window (in terms of words, had been decided by user above) on the input at specified location ex. END of the input like so: “Today is a [warm day now]” which is a window size of 3 words.
Scan a text file for all matches of 'warm day now".
What you’ve described has very little (if anything at all) to do with AI, sounds like a bunch of basic logic loops.
look into UMGfor the user interface
look into (random) *Math *nodes
look into *SaveGame *objects if you need data persistence
look into *DataTables *for text storage
If you’re completely new to programming, do take time to learn about the framework and blueprint communications. I’d start with generic tutorials regardless of the scope of the project you’ve envisioned.
Because it’s visual, easier to grasp.
UE4 might be perfect for something simple like this.
You can’t remove the game engine part, because the language is intrinsically built on top of that. You can’t have a console application without first building a console in the game.
Cool replies so far. I’m ok if I have to have a open/blank-ish game, I just want to code my text algorithm idea lol!
Is it just me or does every screenshot example of a node setup for user input looks different? I mean, the nodes and setup is different every time, as if there is 20 different nodes or setups that do the same thing!
Does anyone want to get me started? I’m not sure when the start, end, etc nodes are either…And how to begin it, does that require me to setup a virtual wall or something lolol?
It’s not. One needs a good approach - learn the basics first.
If you expected to just jump in and start coding, it will not work, sorry. With no base knowledge you will be banging your head against the wall.
I’ve mentioned UMG- have you looked at what it is; there’s a step-by-step guide describing how to add a widget to the viewport and how to use some variables? Currently you’re inside a light actor object.
There’s so much on YT, too. Have you completed any tutorials?
I’ll check em out, maybe I will see some actual examples of the kind I’m looking for.
I think I’m getting cold feet though. I have to scan for words and count them in text, narrow down matches, detect weird characters in text and stop counting, splice in text to some text, search website, make database, I’ll just pay someone. I actually have it almost done, but I do crazy stuff at the last moment sometimes haha. It costed me ~100usd so far, yeah, pretty cheap I got it.
You will be able to get something up and running in a high-level scripting language much quicker and easier. A 3D engine is not the right tool for this job. There are literally hundreds of tutorials on processing input and text files in Python for instance. Doing this in UMG and Blueprints is insanity to be honest.
The idea that started was that it may be 5 times easier to use a visual programming, and, should be possible. However, UE4, like some others I found, are just as complex a language and needs translation, there is no intuitiveness about it. There’s very few names I understand, and many ways to do the same thing. You can code games with no programming using Blueprints? Maybe not so…
Blueprints isn’t an alternative to coding. It’s another way of coding.
It’s a common mistake people seem to have when getting into you. You still need to fully understand programming at least to some extent in order to use Blueprints. It’s not a “Do what programmers do without the knowledge they have!” kind of system. It’s a system designed to eliminate the need to write lines of code in external programs for simple tasks. If I just want a simple toggle switch or I want a basic health meter for a game, having to go to Visual Studio in order to write 100+ lines of C++ is a bit grueling; it takes about 15 minutes in Blueprints.
But…you still need to know what you’re creating. Blueprints IS coding. It’s just a different system used to code. Instead of writing it out in characters, you use nodes. All the variables, methods, and intricate details still apply. It’s not a get rich quick scheme. You won’t be getting far with Blueprints if you don’t know how to program without it.
The key idea I’m looking for is a 0-translation program. What that means is my ideas, through my finger movements, can be implemented without having to learn or buy a new language…intuitive is the word. Can it be done? No program seems to allow that ability, they are all as you describe. KNIME I noticed appears to have operations like “letters/word count/step through” etc…but still…still…so much confusion. So ya, i’m back to hiring of course…
There’s no way that can be done. No matter what you need some level of knowledge. What you’re asking for is basically magic, unfortunately.
The issue being it’s impossible to create anything in that way. There needs to be a uniform system in place - like a programming language - that has rules to create a solid foundation for creation.
But when I hire programmers, the idea-2-code ‘translation’ does work…I have no and explain no ‘code’ language in my description. Now if that was made into a software, then everyone would be a programmer.