Is there a such thing as databases in Game Maker?

[Mariotroid]

Recently my bother told me I should to learn Python. He also suggested I learn about databases as they are very used. I assumed it was the same thing as a 2d array in the way he was describing, but he told me they were different things. Anyway, what is a database? Does game maker have databases?

[HylianDev]

I'm no Game Maker expert but I am a web developer. Vinny could tell you even better than me, since he specializes in databases.

A database is its own piece of software. It's either running ln your computer at the same time as your app, or it's on a server and you send and receive info from it.

Typically, you wouldn't use databases in game development, except for online games.

Databases are for storing information, similarly to how you might in an object (or even a 2d array or similar). In fact, they basically do the same thing as when you create a save file. But they also have the ability to receive information (usually via an SQL query) and store it themselves. They're mostly used for when you have a lot of different apps (aka, instances of an online game) or a lot of people using one app (aka a website) and you need a central place to store information.

The same stuff could be accomplished by having a big save file you wrote to, but first you'd have to write that functionlity and have it still not be nearly as good as a database is to work with, and also a single Dev would just never be able to achieve the levels of optimization and flexibility databases have.

If you want to learn databases, I recommend doing so in the context of web development. It's the most practical and common use for DBs, IMO.

Hylian's day job, little did we know, was saying controversial things on the internet.

you fool!!!! you fixed it wrong!!!!

Bibby Team

[VinnyVideo]

@HylianDev That's a good overview of what databases do. Databases are similar to arrays, but they're even more similar to Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Databases consist of various tables, which are similar to the different tabs of a spreadsheet. Tables store information in rows and columns, just like spreadsheets. The advantage that databases have over spreadsheets is you can create and enforce relationships between different tables. This helps prevent redundant or outdated data from entering your database.

Databases are a good thing to learn about. Pretty much everything you do on the Internet or on your phone involves databases, even if you don't realize it. Every time you log in to MFGG, you're reading from a database. Every time you make a post, you're writing to a database. You don't need to use databases when making simple video games, but they're essential if you're making complex online multiplayer games.

Game Maker can connect to databases hosted on a server. Here's an example of using databases to host an online high score system.

GM's arrays and data structures (such as ds_list) offer functionality similar to that of databases. For example, in an RPG, you might use them to store information about playable characters' stats and equipment, and then save this data to an external file.

This probably isn't the best explanation ever, but I hope this makes sense. If it doesn't make sense, just let me know and I can clarify.

Course clear! You got a card.

[Mariotroid]

It makes sense. I kind of figured Gamemaker wouldn't need databases except for online things. Thanks for the clarification! I'll look into them more later, but thanks for now.

[HylianDev]

Codecademy has an SQL course.

If you aren't familiar with Codecademy, it's a site that has code tutorials, but also provides you with an in-browser sandbox for testing your code to see if it works correctly.

I had a very cursory knowledge of SQL about a couple years back, and I used this course to teach me stuff I had somehow missed. Joins and etc.

Hylian's day job, little did we know, was saying controversial things on the internet.

you fool!!!! you fixed it wrong!!!!

Bibby Team