Tutorial 1: Getting Started

[Naked Crook]

Alright, this is as basic as it gets for Empire at War XML coding...getting your tools gathered. What is an XML file? What you need to code the XML files? What you need to code the XML files efficiently? What you need to make XML coding easier (optional)? 1. What is an XML file? an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file is essentially a document encoded in machine-readable form. WHAT!? Basically...it is a simple text document with tags that, when read by a program (in this case Empire at War), can be understood by the program. XML in most, if not, all cases is in normal readable English grammar. A non-EaW/FoC tag example would be: <number_of_books> 5 </number_of_books> Assuming the program is coded to understand the phrase "number_of_books", when the program reads the XML file, it will know that the number of books someone has is 5. There is some other syntax that you should be aware of: <number_of_books> </number_of_books> essentially means undefined or null <number_of_books /> also means undefined or null <person_info> <number_of_books> <number_of_hats> <number_of_cats> </person_info> The above example is called a nested tag structure. the person_info tag would be seen as a person object by the program, and its nested tags would be seen as information on that object. This is the way Empire at War/Forces of Corruption XML's are laid out, except with multiple nest levels at times. 2. What you need to code the XML files? All things considered...all you really need to edit an Empire at War (Forces of Corruption) XML file is Notepad or Wordpad. You will also need the Empire at War or Forces of Corruption XML files. Empire at War XML Files Or: Force of Corruption XML Files (the above are hyperlinks, click them to download them. Extrat all the .XML files into into your /data directory...create this directory if necessary.) Important Note: If you are making a mod for EaW, download the Empire at War XML files, but if this is a FoC mod, download Forces of Corruption XML files. 3. What you need to code the XML files efficiantly? I would Highly suggest you get Notepad++. THis is like Notepad or Wordpad, but its use is for coders. It comes with a TON of features that have made my EaW XML life a hell of a lot easier! Download Notepadd++ 4. What you need to make XML coding easier (optional)? These things are optional: Secondary monitor A good mouse with copy, cut, and paste quick buttons on the device A keyboard with macros (to help perform redundant tasks)