godot-docs/getting_started/step_by_step/scripting_languages.rst

.. Intention: only introduce what a script does in general and options for
   scripting languages.

.. _doc_scripting:

Scripting languages
===================

This lesson will give you an overview of the available scripting languages in
Godot. You will learn the pros and cons of each option. In the next part, you
will write your first script using GDScript.

**Scripts attach to a node and extend its behavior**. This means that scripts
inherit all functions and properties of the node they attach to.

For example, take a game where a Camera2D node follows a ship. The Camera2D node
follows its parent by default. Imagine you want the camera to shake when the player
takes damage. As this feature is not built into Godot, you would attach a script
to the Camera2D node and code the shake.

.. image:: img/scripting_camera_shake.gif

Available scripting languages
-----------------------------

Godot offers **five gameplay programming languages**: GDScript, C#,
VisualScript, and, via its GDNative technology, C and C++. There are more
:ref:`community-supported languages <doc_what_is_gdnative_third_party_bindings>`,
but these are the official ones.

You can use multiple languages in a single project. For instance, in a team, you
could code gameplay logic in GDScript as it's fast to write, let level designers
script quests in the graphical language VisualScript, and use C# or C++ to
implement complex algorithms and maximize their performance. Or you can write
everything in GDScript or C#. It's your call.

We provide this flexibility to answer the needs of different game projects and
developers.

.. warning::

    `Godot 4.0 will remove VisualScript from core entirely. <https://godotengine.org/article/godot-4-will-discontinue-visual-scripting>`__
    As a result, creating new projects using visual scripting in Godot is not recommended.
    Future Godot 4.x releases may have VisualScript reimplemented as an extension.

    While Godot 3.x will keep VisualScript supported, we recommend
    :ref:`trying out GDScript <toc-learn-scripting-gdscript>` instead,
    especially if you intend to migrate your project to Godot 4.

Which language should I use?
----------------------------

If you're a beginner, we recommend to **start with GDScript**. We made this
language specifically for Godot and the needs of game developers. It has a
lightweight and straightforward syntax and provides the tightest integration
with Godot.

.. image:: img/scripting_gdscript.png

For C#, you will need an external code editor like
`VSCode <https://code.visualstudio.com/>`_ or Visual Studio. While C# support is
now mature, you will find fewer learning resources for it compared to
GDScript. That's why we recommend C# mainly to users who already have experience
with the language.

Let's look at each language's features, as well as its pros and cons.

GDScript
~~~~~~~~

:ref:`GDScript<doc_gdscript>` is an
`object-oriented <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Object-oriented_programming>`_ and
`imperative <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperative_programming>`_
programming language built for Godot. It's made by and for game developers
to save you time coding games. Its features include:

- A simple syntax that leads to short files.
- Blazing fast compilation and loading times.
- Tight editor integration, with code completion for nodes, signals, and more
  information from the scene it's attached to.
- Built-in vector and transform types, making it efficient for heavy use of
  linear algebra, a must for games.
- Supports multiple threads as efficiently as statically typed languages.
- No `garbage collection
  <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbage_collection_(computer_science)>`_, as
  this feature eventually gets in the way when creating games. The engine counts
  references and manages the memory for you in most cases by default, but you
  can also control memory if you need to.
- `Gradual typing <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gradual_typing>`_. Variables
  have dynamic types by default, but you also can use type hints for strong type
  checks.

GDScript looks like Python as you structure your code blocks using indentations,
but it doesn't work the same way in practice. It's inspired by multiple
languages, including Squirrel, Lua, and Python.

.. note::

    Why don't we use Python or Lua directly?

    Years ago, Godot used Python, then Lua. Both languages' integration took a
    lot of work and had severe limitations. For example, threading support was a
    big challenge with Python.

    Developing a dedicated language doesn't take us more work and we can tailor
    it to game developers' needs. We're now working on performance optimizations
    and features that would've been difficult to offer with third-party
    languages.

.NET / C#
~~~~~~~~~

As Microsoft's `C#
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_Sharp_(programming_language)>`_ is a favorite
amongst game developers, we officially support it. C# is a mature and flexible
language with tons of libraries written for it. We could add support for it
thanks to a generous donation from Microsoft.

.. image:: img/scripting_csharp.png

C# offers a good tradeoff between performance and ease of use, although you
should be aware of its garbage collector.

.. note:: You must use the Mono edition of the Godot editor to script in C#. You
          can download it on the Godot website's `download
          <https://godotengine.org/download/>`_ page.

Since Godot uses the `Mono <https://mono-project.com>`_ .NET runtime, in theory,
you can use any third-party .NET library or framework in Godot, as well as any
Common Language Infrastructure-compliant programming language, such as F#, Boo,
or ClojureCLR. However, C# is the only officially supported .NET option.

.. note:: GDScript code itself doesn't execute as fast as compiled C# or C++.
          However, most script code calls functions written with fast algorithms
          in C++ code inside the engine. In many cases, writing gameplay logic
          in GDScript, C#, or C++ won't have a significant impact on
          performance.

VisualScript
~~~~~~~~~~~~

.. warning::

    `Godot 4.0 will remove VisualScript from core entirely. <https://godotengine.org/article/godot-4-will-discontinue-visual-scripting>`__
    As a result, creating new projects using visual scripting in Godot is not recommended.
    Future Godot 4.x releases may have VisualScript reimplemented as an extension.

    While Godot 3.x will keep VisualScript supported, we recommend
    :ref:`trying out GDScript <toc-learn-scripting-gdscript>` instead,
    especially if you intend to migrate your project to Godot 4.

:ref:`Visual Scripting<doc_what_is_visual_script>` is a graph-based visual
programming language where you connect blocks. It can be a great tool for
non-programmers like game designers and artists.

.. image:: img/scripting_visualscript.png

You can use other languages to create custom blocks that are specific to your
game, for example, to script AIs, quests, or dialogues. That's where the
strength of VisualScript lies.

While it provides all the basic building blocks you need to code complete games,
we do not recommend to use VisualScript this way. Programming everything with it
is slow compared to using other programming languages.

.. seealso::

    For more information, see
    :ref:`Getting started with VisualScript <doc_getting_started_visual_script>`.

C and C++ via GDNative
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GDNative allows you to write game code in C or C++ without needing to recompile
or even restart Godot.

.. image:: img/scripting_cpp.png

You can use any version of the language or mix compiler brands and versions for
the generated shared libraries, thanks to our use of an internal C API Bridge.

GDNative is the best choice for performance. You don't need to use it
throughout an entire game, as you can write other parts in GDScript, C#, or
VisualScript.

When working with GDNative, the available types, functions, and properties
closely resemble Godot's actual C++ API.

Summary
-------

Scripts are files containing code that you attach to a node to extend its
functionality.

Godot supports five official scripting languages, offering you flexibility
between performance and ease of use.

You can mix languages, for instance, to implement demanding algorithms with C or
C++ and write most of the game logic with GDScript or C#.