Best practice for application with multiple states.

General Discussion Other

schrute

Best practice for application with multiple states.

in General Discussion • Other • 1 year ago

Hi guys,

I'm going to be creating a few applications that will have a menu system. I was just wondering what is the best way to create this type of application?

I've never created anything like this before so have no idea which would be the best way to implement the functionality that would allow users to use the menu, run the animations then return to the menu and visit other animations.

Replies(4)

tfguy44

Re: Best practice for application with multiple states.

1 year ago

Personally, I like having a state-transition function. That way, your "menu" can just be another sketch that would do a menu, and make calls to setState() as needed:

int state;
void setup(){
size( 400, 400 );
state = 0;
startState( state );
}
void setState( int newState ){
endState();
state = newState;
startState();
}
void endState(){
switch( state ){
case 0:
cleanup0();
break;
case 1:
cleanup1();
break;
// ...
}
}
void startState(){
switch( state ){
case 0:
setup0();
break;
case 1:
setup1();
break;
// ...
}
}
void draw() { // or mousePressed(), keyPressed(), etc.
switch( state ){
case 0:
draw0(); // or mousePressed0(), keyPressed0(), etc.
break;
case 1:
draw1(); // or mousePressed1(), keyPressed1(), etc.
break;
// ...
}
}
// And then for each sketch:
void setup0(){ }
void draw0(){ }
void cleanup0(){ }
void mousePressed0(){}
void keyPressed0(){}
// etc...
void setup1(){ }
void draw1(){ }
void cleanup1(){ }
void mousePressed1(){}
void keyPressed1(){}
// etc...
// etc...

kurt_ek

Re: Best practice for application with multiple states.

1 year ago

you could also try using the library

controlP5

and use multiple windows or tabs

Tho I like the finite state machine idea quite a lot!

kurt

schrute

Re: Best practice for application with multiple states.

1 year ago

Thanks guys. I think I'll use tfguy44's idea. I will be using controlP5 for the interface components too.

kurt_ek

Re: Best practice for application with multiple states.

1 year ago

best of luck! :)

Top Reply