World of Warcraft Programming: A Guide and Reference for Creating WoW Addons 2nd Edition

Description

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.

CONTENTS:

Introduction.

  Part I Learning to Program.

  
Chapter 1 Programming for World of Warcraft.

  
Chapter 2 Exploring Lua Basics.

  
Chapter 3 Basic Functions and Control Structures.

  
Chapter 4 Working with Tables.

  
Chapter 5 Advanced Functions and Control Structures.

  
Chapter 6 Lua Standard Libraries.

  
Chapter 7 Learning XML.

  Part II Programming in World of Warcraft.

  
Chapter 8 Anatomy of an Addon.

  
Chapter 9 Working with Frames, Widgets, and Other Graphical Elements.

  
Chapter 10 Saving Time with Frame Templates.

  
Chapter 11 Exploring the World of Warcraft API.

  
Chapter 12 Interacting with Widgets.

  
Chapter 13 Responding to Game Events.

  
Chapter 14 Tracking Damage with CombatTracker.

  Part III Advanced Addon Techniques 283

  
Chapter 15 Taking Action with Secure Templates.

  
Chapter 16 Binding Keys and Clicks to Addon Code.

  
Chapter 17 Creating Slash Commands.

  
Chapter 18 Responding to Graphic Updates with OnUpdate.

  
Chapter 19 Altering Existing Behavior with Function Hooking.

  
Chapter 20 Creating Custom Graphics.

  
Chapter 21 Responding to the Combat Log and Threat Information.

  
Chapter 22 Creating Scroll Frames.

  
Chapter 23 Creating Dropdown Menus.

  
Chapter 24 Scanning and Constructing Tooltips.

  
Chapter 25 Taking Protected Action in Combat.

  
Chapter 26 Creating Unit Frames with Group Templates.

  Part IV Reference.

  
Chapter 27 API Reference.

  
Chapter 28 API Categories.

  
Chapter 29 Widget Reference.

  
Chapter 30 Events Reference.

  Part V Appendixes.

  
Appendix A Best Practices.

  
Appendix B Utilizing Addon Libraries.

  
Appendix C Tracking History Using Version Control Systems.

  
Appendix D Addon Author Resources.

  Index.