SRL Archive - Discussions & Debates

I was wondering, if you're able to script, does it have any benefits to your real life? Does it actually have a positive impact on, for example, your concentration, your memory, being able to solve problems faster or anything like that?

I would say so for solving problems. On memory and concentration I would say no. I mean you're bound to eventually memorize the syntax and commonly used methods over time which might help your memory but I don't know. I guess you have to be concentrated to code but I wouldn't be sure if it improves it. If you concentrate for 4 hours at a time and push your limits then yeah, I will likely improve. But if you code for 10 minutes at 4 different times a day and eventually finish something then I would say no.

As for solving problems I would say yes. A lot. When you code (or script I guess) you have to think of a logical solution to the problem at hand and give a solution that works in every scenario. This type of logical thinking can apply to a large array of things in the real world. To state the obvious it could help if you work as a computer programmer. The more you do something the more comfortable you are with it and likely you will be able to do it faster. So if you do a lot of coding (logical thinking) you will become quicker and more comfortable at solving logical problems. Also, thinking is essentially a logical problem so if you learn to code you become better at thinking.

“Everybody in this country should learn to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think” - Steve Jobs

Also as a stupid answer, if you learn to code, you can get jobs and make money. And making money is good.

From: buttdestroyr
Also as a stupid answer, if you learn to code, you can get jobs and make money. And making money is good.

just because something is simple and obvious, doesnt mean its stupid.

It's a widely accepted fact that learning to code, whether it by writing a complete piece of software or a simple script, increases your problem solving ability by forcing you to consider the logical steps that the program is going to take to complete its task.

I would also argue that it does increase memory and concentration, though this would be purely based on the fact that it has helped my own memory and concentration. Whether it helps others too, I really wouldn't know.

From: Spaceblow
I was wondering, if you're able to script, does it have any benefits to your real life? Does it actually have a positive impact on, for example, your concentration, your memory, being able to solve problems faster or anything like that?

EDIT: could a moderator edit the thread title and replace 'benifits' with 'benefits', little mistake.

Yea it does, from what I have done, which isn't much, found that it helps organize my thoughts. It helps to break down and solve complex problems. Building a script from top to bottom forces you to solve it step by step, in an organized fashion.

Personally, I don't believe scripting or programming helps bring out the "best" in anyone's brain.. We're all already capable of making choices in terms of "if's (what if blah blah)" and "else's" (then some consequence happens).. Choices are what we have in real life as well. We're already capable of deciding and thinking things through even if we made a mistake.

Before I ever had a cellphone, I was able to memorize every single number, phone number, name, birthday.. I ever saw, in under 2 seconds. All it took was just one stare. I got one and now I can't even remember the first few digits. I don't believe a cellphone made me dumber. It's just less and less practice and more and more use of the address book.

Practicing scripting &/or programming only made me think more like a programmer in front of a computer or when doing maths or sciences. No where else. I can memorise a ton of code. I can memorise a lot of the syntax.. I still cannot memorise a birthday anymore..


Practicing scripting &/or programming never really made me think any more logical than I already did before that.. It only made me think in computer terms when doing it. Outside of that, I never applied the same logic to any other situations. Math and programming are closely related and some of the logic will apply to both. Same with mech. eng.

But the same logic may not apply to something like English or Art or w/e else.. Logic can be applied in different ways and I don't think programming affects logic outside of the science fields really. The same logic I'd apply to a function hook would not be used anywhere else. The same logic applied for ordering a script is no different than the logic you'd already have had for ordering anything at all. You were already aware of the order that you had to do things in order to get it to work. You were already capable of playing the game and applying that ordering logic to it.

You just needed to apply the same logic to a script so that a computer can do it instead of you. Did you gain logic? No.. You already had it. All you did was "apply it differently". Breaking down and solving problems was something you already knew & still advancing it as you do every day with everything else (your morning routine maybe). Applying it to another situation however, is a different thing.

I highly doubt anyone applies the logic of a bubble sort in real life to sort out their clothes from the laundry.

Organisation is a discipline btw.. Not logic. Sometimes we forget what we're capable of without a computer.. I tend to see programming as a reminder of capabilities.

Thank you for your extensive replies, I actually hoped that coding would be good for my brain, it's a shame that it appearantly isn't according to some of you.

From: buttdestroyr
Also as a stupid answer, if you learn to code, you can get jobs and make money. And making money is good.

I just meant coding for RS3 and not something more complex like making a program or an app or something like that. When I'm going to college or university, I'm pretty sure I'll study something that isn't related to coding, so I guess no money for me.

Anything you learn can be applied to something else.

Scripting for Runescape is like a gateway drug. It pushes you to learn a more beneficial language. Many of us on these forums have gone onto taking up a computing course as further education. Some have even got a career. I can't say for certain for everyone, but for me, i definitely pursued programming because of the Runescape cheating scene / SRL-Forums.

From: Kasi
Scripting for Runescape is like a gateway drug. It pushes you to learn a more beneficial language. Many of us on these forums have gone onto taking up a computing course as further education. Some have even got a career. I can't say for certain for everyone, but for me, i definitely pursued programming because of the Runescape cheating scene / SRL-Forums.

Exactly the same as me, being introduced to coding by these forums has definitely benefited me.

From: Kasi
Scripting for Runescape is like a gateway drug. It pushes you to learn a more beneficial language. Many of us on these forums have gone onto taking up a computing course as further education. Some have even got a career. I can't say for certain for everyone, but for me, i definitely pursued programming because of the Runescape cheating scene / SRL-Forums.

This is so true. Now whenever I have to do a manual task in real life, I think about what I can do to automate it.

The replies on this thread are really interesting to read, nice to know everyone's opinion!

EDIT: There was some personal stuff in this post, I've removed it to protect my privacy.

Oh now that you think about it, I wasted my time because it didn't benefit me in real life…
Actually though, when you make your own script you can let your bot run and go do something else rather than be stuck legitting runescape like a loser

From: Spaceblow
I'm getting a little bit offtopic but since you began talking about studies I wanted to ask some advice. I have still 2 more years to think about what I'm going to do but it's nice to already have an idea. So according to the things I said, what do you guys recommend me to do? Something related to Photoshop, psychology or languages? Any advice would certainly be welcome.

Personally I wouldn't like to recommend anything specific. All I will say is that you should do something you enjoy; you might get a job which pays really well, but if it's not something you enjoy you'll be spending 8(ish) hours a day doing something you don't like. I know I'd much rather have a job which doesn't pay as well but is something I actually like doing.

From: Rich
I know I'd much rather have a job which doesn't pay as well but is something I actually like doing.

This.

People can tell you what you should do in specifics, but you are the only person who can tell them if you like it or not. I would advise you to do as much as you can, and then choose the one you enjoy the most.

My advice is to write down a list of things that you enjoy doing that could be applied to an industry. If you enjoy programming, what languages do you know? Have you tried to create proper programs, or just Simba scripts? How good are you at it? If you believe that it's something you could see yourself doing, then consider that you could be a software engineer in the IT industry. Or if you enjoy using PhotoShop (ask yourself the same/similar questions again!), consider being a graphic designer.

Once you have a general idea of what you may want to do in the future, spend the time to research it and to research what full-time career jobs are available in that field in your city, country, or neighbouring countries. Also research what's actually involved in that job, don't just assume that you know what you would actually be doing. For example, when people say that they like using PhotoShop they usually say that they want to be a graphic designer, but they have no idea what work is involved in it, and then get disappointed when they find out that they could end up making billboards, banners, and logos for companies full-time which has none of the artistic excitement that comes with hobbyist PhotoShop use.

Finally, I'm not sure what's available to you in Belgium, or what human resources you have available to you in your situation, but try and speak to a career guidance counsellor at your high school/local college/university. These are the people who are paid to give you advice and to try and steer you on the right track. It sounds like you regret wasting time at school, but now you understand the importance of getting somewhere while you're young, and that's good.

I was in a similar situation to you, I pissed away the last 2 years of high school and ended up repeating them 4 years later to get into university another year after that. Failed high school in 2008, repeated in 2012, started studying in 2013 to finish at the end of 2016. I could have started studying in 2009 and finished in 2011, and have spent the last 3 years gaining experience in my chosen industry. You get the picture. Don't end up doing what I did and regretting it even more.

Good luck, and I sincerely hope that you end up doing something you love, most of us don't. ;)

From: Wu-Tang Clan
Oh now that you think about it, I wasted my time because it didn't benefit me in real life…
Actually though, when you make your own script you can let your bot run and go do something else rather than be stuck legitting runescape like a loser

You give me an impression that you think I'm saying there are no benefits in real life. I agree with you that repeating the same stuff over and over would be pretty stupid while you actually could bot it, it's harsh to say but indeed only losers would do that.

From: Rich
Personally I wouldn't like to recommend anything specific. All I will say is that you should do something you enjoy; you might get a job which pays really well, but if it's not something you enjoy you'll be spending 8(ish) hours a day doing something you don't like. I know I'd much rather have a job which doesn't pay as well but is something I actually like doing.

So I'll have to choose between something with Photoshop and languages/psychology. The first option I would definitely enjoy more but the second option probably pays more. And I guess there would be more work for the second option. Hard choice but if I would want to be as happy as possible I would have to choose for Photoshop. If I would want to be less happy, but still a little bit happy and some more money, I should go with the second option.

From: Kasi
This.

People can tell you what you should do in specifics, but you are the only person who can tell them if you like it or not. I would advise you to do as much as you can, and then choose the one you enjoy the most.

What do you mean by 'to do as much as you can'? Different fields of study or…? Perhaps a stupid question but I'm kind of confused. :)

From: Incurable

Good luck, and I sincerely hope that you end up doing something you love, most of us don't. ;)

To be honest, you give better advice than most of my teachers at school. Your reply makes me rethink everything and I'm very thankful for that. Don't take it the wrong way, but I'll make sure to not end up like you and I'll definitely be ambitious from now on. Good I have 2 years left to decide, maybe my interests will be completely changed by then, who knows. When 2 years have passed and when I'll finally need to choose what I want to do, I'll look back at your reply. Thank you very much for taking your time to type that, I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. :)

From: Spaceblow

What do you mean by 'to do as much as you can'? Different fields of study or…? Perhaps a stupid question but I'm kind of confused. :)

Meaning you don't know if you like something if you've never tried it before.

From: Kasi
Meaning you don't know if you like something if you've never tried it before.

Alright, I'll try to get as much experience from everything I would consider doing, thank you very much!

From: Spaceblow
To be honest, you give better advice than most of my teachers at school. Your reply makes me rethink everything and I'm very thankful for that. Don't take it the wrong way, but I'll make sure to not end up like you and I'll definitely be ambitious from now on. Good I have 2 years left to decide, maybe my interests will be completely changed by then, who knows. When 2 years have passed and when I'll finally need to choose what I want to do, I'll look back at your reply. Thank you very much for taking your time to type that, I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. :)

You're welcome mate, I'd give anything to have been told that sort of thing 10 years ago. :p

NOTE TO SELF: Stop feeling and sounding so damned old, lol.

Being able to code is a huge plus I would imagine anywhere. If you do any sort of research (or want to do any) in college, being able to code is a huge huge plus. It's amazing that some professors nowadays are taken aback by things as simple as automatically populating an excel spread sheet from raw data without having to manually enter it.

Improving your programming ability will always have a positive effect on your life.

From: Spaceblow
I was wondering, if you're able to script, does it have any benefits to your real life? Does it actually have a positive impact on, for example, your concentration, your memory, being able to solve problems faster or anything like that?

When I've been coding for lengthy time periods, it changes my thinking.. it's as if I start thinking in code.

if jayden.isThirsty then
begin
  walk.toFridge
  wait(5000)
  if open.Fridge(3000) and (isWater) then
  repeat
    drink
  until (satisfied)
end;

Sort of but not really haha ;)
It can have some major positives and temporary negatives in my opinion, but I'm in a rush this morning so I won't go into it.

[video=youtube_share;nKIu9yen5nc]http://youtu.be/nKIu9yen5nc[/video]

Once knowing how things work and realizing that pretty much everything in the world runs on code, it becomes easier to understand how things work in the real world. It's hard to put into words, but I can only explain it as having a new perspective.

My first tentative steps into coding have produced a fairly positive and noticeable effect on the organization of my thoughts.

I know with my work some of the people focus on scripts, because having something automated will be faster faster then manually clicking. We are currently working on batch and script files to run through application installs.