Are you interested in a guide to DLL modding (or to modding in general)?

[axatin]

As you might know, we are a bit short of developers who know how to modify the DLL. Congress proposals that require DLL work often don't get sponsored and there are many open issues and unimplemented feature requests on Github. Are you interested in learning how to do DLL modding? I am considering writing a short guide to it, provided there's enough interest.

DLL modding requires knowledge of the programming language C++, but for many changes only a fairly basic knowledge is required. If you are familiar with coding (in C++ or in another language) or with creating modmods using lua, it won't be difficult for you to learn those basics. But also if you're not familiar with any coding language, it's definitely feasible to learn the necessary skills if you're willing to invest a bit of time and effort into it. Note that if you haven't done any modding for Civ 5 before, you'd also have to familiarize yourself with database modding.

If you're interested, let me know in the comments and specify if you're already familiar with Civ database modding, lua modding or with any other coding language. I'd like to encourage you to give it a try even if you don't have any experience with modding and coding yet.

 

[LawfulRogue]

I haven't done any modding for Civ 5. I had a basic knowledge of programming and C++, but it's been a few years since I did any programming. I do have a lot of time.

 

[Vaderkos]

Running short on time lately, but yes please

 

[jarcast2]

I'm interested. I hope it's not too much more difficult compared to lua (I was never exposed to C++ before).

 

[Phosphoraptor]

I touch shell scripting and SQL on a daily basis at my job, just need to learn C++. My bigger concern is how to navigate the civ 5 mod tools.

 

[azum4roll]

I touch shell scripting and SQL on a daily basis at my job, just need to learn C++. My bigger concern is how to navigate the civ 5 mod tools.

The best way is to not use any of it.

 

[comedian56]

Senior fullstack engineer here. Haven't touch C++ after 2008 though. Had made some mods for civ5 back in 2014 using Lua.
Although I don't have time to learn/code C++ right now, and haven't play civ5 for more than a year. I would highly recommend OP to create a guide for DLL modding, a video one would be even better.
There are a lot of programmer who also play video games, someone might find your guide and become a modder for Vox populi in the future.

 

[phantom22]

I would like to learn. I don't know if this would be feasible or not, but if you were also to make a few short basic example videos that you could upload to youtube or something. Or maybe better, if you find videos that are already made that show an example of the exact process to mod a file, you could link to it. I know for me specifically, I learn visually by being shown much faster than reading it in a book and having to have a bit of guesswork if I run into a problem that I cannot understand in the written instructions. I know that's a huge ask on top of an already generous offer.

 

[pineappledan]

I would be interested. Definitely

 

[azum4roll]

I think it's better to start reading the code and ask if you have questions. Everyone's been through that after all. None of us have been taught.

 

[hokath]

I tried to follow the DLL compilation guide but visual studio defeated me.

 

[azum4roll]

Which part? If you mean using Visual Studio to code, don't.

 

[Recursive]

I think it's better to start reading the code and ask if you have questions. Everyone's been through that after all. None of us have been taught.

It's true that's how I learned, but I can think of a few things that would have sped up the process. I'd be interested in collaborating on setting up this guide, if you're interested in making it, @axatin.

 

[Rekk]

Which part? If you mean using Visual Studio to code, don't.

Given he mentioned the "DLL compilation guide", he means going through all the steps necessary for Visual Studio to compile.

 

[balparmak]

I think it's better to start reading the code and ask if you have questions. Everyone's been through that after all. None of us have been taught.

Yeah, I only knew a tiny bit of Python (no OOP) when I started modding. I still can't say I know C++, but you don't really need to know that much to fix bugs. You can quickly learn enough to read and follow the code, and then it's easy to find and adapt similar code from elsewhere. Even just documenting what's wrong helps experienced contributors a lot. The language and the way it's used in Civ5/VP feels a lot more intuitive than Lua imho.

The hardest part was definitely getting VS to work and compile. @hokath, I had similar arcane issues with VS, removing everything slightly related to Visual C packages and reinstalling them in the correct order fixed it for me. You can check my comments in the thread. Oh, and there's git... oh git, I hate you so much.
Oh also, I remember some people having issues when the project folder was in a cloud folder (like a OneDrive Documents folder, which I think is the default in Win11), so cloning it somewhere else is better just to be safe.

 

[bahamut19]

I would be interested in learning.

 

[KungCheops]

Which part? If you mean using Visual Studio to code, don't.

Hard disagree, and also what do you suggest using instead?

 

[azum4roll]

I use Visual Studio Code instead. It has a way better search function across the workspace.

Visual Studio is only for compiling and debugging purposes.

 

[paul_soryu]

Absolutely. I have programming experience in C#, a little in C++ and a general knowledge of databases, but no experience working with huge projects with thousands of files. I have some ideas for modmods, but I don't know where to start. I figured I could cannibalize on code of other mods, but I've been staring at multiple files for hours, and without understanding of an underlying structure I hesitated to do anything.

Would be very cool if someone explained how the process goes now and how to set it up. For now I am too lazy to go through decade-old scary-looking forum posts about modding. I am guessing the practices have somewhat changed and evolved, and it is always better to learn from someone who's active in the field.

 

[msw1]

Yes, absolutely. I have some programming and C++ experience but haven't ever worked on a big project like VP, so I don't know where to jump in and I don't want to just read every source code file. A guide that walked through creating a basic modmod or something would be extremely useful.