Blueprints
Blueprints are graphical representations of anything you would otherwise have to code.
In blueprint projects, blueprints can completely replace code. They are quite intuitive and easy to use, and you can make them as complex as you want.
In terms of programming languages, I would argue that the higher level the language, the faster you can develop, as you're less bogged down by details. This often goes at the expense of flexibility and performance. However, as long as performance is still adequate for making great user experiences and you have enough flexibility to be effective, it's often a great trade-off.
Variables
Variables are the most basic building blocks of blueprints. They are used to store and manipulate data.
Types
These are the basic variable types:
Splitting and recombining
You can split and recombine pins.
Making and breaking
An simple but important concept is making and breaking.
Custom types
You can create custom types.
- A
struct(Structure) combines multiple variables into a single variable. - An
enum(Enumeration) is a variable that can only have a few specific values.
You can create both from the context menu in the Content Drawer.
You can then define the shape of the struct or enum.
You can then use the custom type as a variable. You can also use them in collections, like arrays.
Collections
Collections are variables that store multiple values of the same type.
Arrays
Arrays are the most common type of collection. They are used to store a list of values. You can add and remove items from an array.
Utility functions are used to manipulate arrays.
Example: moving an item from one array to another.
Events
Events are used to trigger actions in response to something happening.