Alan: Difference between revisions

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(Updated to describe v3 as the current version (v2 becoming obsolete))
(add Thunderword)
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The language features a self-documenting, English-like syntax, possibly inspired by COBOL, and several built-in classes of objects commonly used in IF. Version 3 of Alan comes with complete object orientation, inheritance and an extensive library. It supports author defined player syntax and input checks, customization of built-in classes through inheritance, actors than can perform scripted actions, events that can be scheduled, and rules that monitor the game world and triggers when a particular condition arises.
The language features a self-documenting, English-like syntax, possibly inspired by COBOL, and several built-in classes of objects commonly used in IF. Version 3 of Alan comes with complete object orientation, inheritance and an extensive library. It supports author defined player syntax and input checks, customization of built-in classes through inheritance, actors than can perform scripted actions, events that can be scheduled, and rules that monitor the game world and triggers when a particular condition arises.


Primary platforms are Windows, MacOSX and Linux. Interpreters are either commandline or GUI (e.g. WinArun) or slot-ins in Gargoyle.
Primary platforms are Windows, MacOSX and Linux. Interpreters are either commandline or GUI (e.g. WinArun) or slot-ins in Gargoyle or [[Thunderword]].


(Version two of the system is now considered obsolete as v3 is fully matured and has entered beta stage.)
(Version two of the system is now considered obsolete as v3 is fully matured and has entered beta stage.)

Revision as of 12:45, 27 March 2017

An acronym for Adventure LANguage, Alan is an authoring system designed to make it easier for people unfamiliar with programming to write IF, or text-adventure games. It was created by Thomas Nilsson and Göran Forslund in 1985 and is continuously updated and maintained by Thomas Nilsson.

The language features a self-documenting, English-like syntax, possibly inspired by COBOL, and several built-in classes of objects commonly used in IF. Version 3 of Alan comes with complete object orientation, inheritance and an extensive library. It supports author defined player syntax and input checks, customization of built-in classes through inheritance, actors than can perform scripted actions, events that can be scheduled, and rules that monitor the game world and triggers when a particular condition arises.

Primary platforms are Windows, MacOSX and Linux. Interpreters are either commandline or GUI (e.g. WinArun) or slot-ins in Gargoyle or Thunderword.

(Version two of the system is now considered obsolete as v3 is fully matured and has entered beta stage.)

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