World of Warcraft Programming: A Guide and Reference for Creating WoW Addons - Softcover

Whitehead II, James; Roe, Rick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0470481285 ISBN 13: 9780470481288

Publisher: Wiley, 2010

Synopsis

The #1 bestselling programming book is back with updated and expanded coverage of the newest release of WoW!

World of Warcraft (WoW) is currently the world's largest massively multiplayer online role-playing game. The newest release, "Wrath of the Lich King," has created a demand for updated information on writing addons. This eagerly anticipated edition answers that request and is an essential reference for creating WoW addons.

Written by a duo of authors who have each contributed a number of successful WoW addons, the book offers an overview of Lua and XML (the programming languages used to write addons) and includes coverage of specific pitfalls and common programming mistakes-and how to avoid them. Valuable examples show you detailed aspects of writing addons for WoW and demonstrate how to implement addon concepts such as variables, slash commands, secure templates, and more.

• World of Warcraft insiders share their techniques for writing addons for both the latest version of WoW as well as the new Wrath of the Lich King expansion set
• Guides you through the specific nuances of the WoW API with the use of detailed examples
• Discusses ways to distribute and host your WoW addons so others can download and use them
• Explains how to respond to events, create frames, and use the WoW API to interact with the game

You'll be well on your way to creating exciting WoW addons with this comprehensive reference by your side.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

About this title

About the Author

James Whitehead II, aka Cladhaire, is the creator of PerfectRaid, Clique, TomTom, and LightHeaded, and coauthor of Hacking World of Warcraft.

Rick Roe, aka the crazy goblin tinker Gazmik Fizzwidget, created Feed-O-Matic, FactionFriend, and some other addons so awesome that Blizzard rolled their functionality into its new UI.

From the Back Cover

Your secret weapon against the Lich King's wrath

World of Warcraft has entered a new dimension. Take command of it by modifying the interface with your own unique addons. Whether your goal is to enhance addons you already use, to enlarge your arsenal by creating some all-new features, or to immerse yourself in the programming as well as the game, this book will be your oracle. Learn the arcane languages of Lua and XML and master the craft of addon creation!

• Understand the anatomy of an addon

• Work with frames, widgets, and other graphical elements

• Explore basic and advanced functions and control structures

• Track damage with CombatTracker, and respond to the combat log and threat informationTrack, filter, and sort your inventory by writing BagBuddy, a fully functional addon

• Create slash commands, custom graphics, scroll frames, and dropdown menus

Who are you?

Apprentice programmers with no prior experience — learn Lua and XML in Part I

Journeymen who have done some programming — skim Part I and start with the details about addon creation in Part II

Master programmers with addons already in their arsenal — dive right into Advanced Addon Techniques in Part III

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0470481285
• ISBN 13: 9780470481288
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 1440