minecraft-datapack-language 15.4.1__tar.gz → 15.4.2__tar.gz

minecraft_datapack_language-15.4.2/PKG-INFO

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+Metadata-Version: 2.4
+Name: minecraft-datapack-language
+Version: 15.4.2
+Summary: Compile JavaScript-style MDL language or Python API into a Minecraft datapack (1.21+ ready). Features variables, control flow, error handling, and VS Code extension.
+Project-URL: Homepage, https://www.mcmdl.com
+Project-URL: Documentation, https://www.mcmdl.com/docs
+Project-URL: Repository, https://github.com/aaron777collins/MinecraftDatapackLanguage
+Project-URL: Bug Tracker, https://github.com/aaron777collins/MinecraftDatapackLanguage/issues
+Project-URL: VS Code Extension, https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=mdl.minecraft-datapack-language
+Classifier: Programming Language :: Python :: 3
+Classifier: License :: OSI Approved :: MIT License
+Classifier: Operating System :: OS Independent
+Requires-Python: >=3.9
+Description-Content-Type: text/markdown
+License-File: LICENSE
+Requires-Dist: mecha>=0.99.0
+Provides-Extra: dev
+Requires-Dist: pytest>=7.0.0; extra == "dev"
+Requires-Dist: pytest-cov>=4.0.0; extra == "dev"
+Dynamic: license-file
+
+# <img src="https://github.com/aaron777collins/MinecraftDatapackLanguage/raw/main/icons/icon-128.png" width="32" height="32" alt="MDL Icon"> Minecraft Datapack Language (MDL)
+
+A **modern JavaScript-style compiler** that lets you write Minecraft datapacks with **real control structures, variables, and expressions** that actually work.
+
+📖 **[View Full Documentation](https://www.mcmdl.com/)** - Complete guides, examples, and API reference  
+📦 **[View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/minecraft-datapack-language/)** - Download and install from PyPI  
+🔧 **[VS Code Extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=mdl.minecraft-datapack-language)** - Syntax highlighting, IntelliSense, and snippets
+
+![CI](https://github.com/aaron777collins/MinecraftDatapackLanguage/workflows/CI/badge.svg)
+![Test Examples](https://github.com/aaron777collins/MinecraftDatapackLanguage/workflows/Test%20Examples/badge.svg)
+![Documentation](https://github.com/aaron777collins/MinecraftDatapackLanguage/workflows/Build%20and%20Deploy%20Documentation/badge.svg)
+![PyPI](https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/minecraft-datapack-language?style=flat-square)
+![Release](https://github.com/aaron777collins/MinecraftDatapackLanguage/workflows/Release/badge.svg)
+
+## 🎯 **MODERN** JavaScript-Style MDL Language
+
+**MDL uses a modern JavaScript-style language format** with **real control structures, variables, and expressions**:
+
+### ✨ **MODERN** Features
+- **🎯 JavaScript-style syntax** with curly braces `{}` and semicolons `;`
+- **📝 Modern comments** using `//` and `/* */`
+- **🔢 Number variables** with `var num` type (stored in scoreboards)
+- **🔄 Full control structures** including `if/else if/else`, `while` loops with method selection
+- **💲 Variable substitution** with `$variable$` syntax
+- **🧮 Expressions** with arithmetic operations (`+`, `-`, `*`, `/`)
+- **📦 Namespace system** for modular code organization
+- **🎨 VS Code extension** with full IntelliSense and snippets
+- **🧪 Comprehensive testing** with E2E validation
+- **📚 Extensive documentation** with examples for every feature
+
+### 🏗️ Core Features
+- ✅ **Modern pack format 82** by default for latest Minecraft features
+- ✅ **JavaScript-style syntax** with curly braces and semicolons
+- ✅ **Real control structures** - `if/else if/else`, `while` loops with recursion/schedule methods
+- ✅ **Number variables** stored in scoreboards with `$variable$` substitution
+- ✅ **Expressions** with arithmetic operations and variable substitution
+- ✅ **Multi-file projects** with automatic merging and dependency resolution
+- ✅ **Variable optimization** - automatic load function generation for initialization
+- ✅ **Selector optimization** - proper `@a` usage for system commands
+- ✅ **Easy hooks** into `minecraft:tick` and `minecraft:load` via function tags
+- ✅ **Tag support** for `function`, `item`, `block`, `entity_type`, `fluid`, and `game_event`
+
+> **Note**: Version 12.0+ uses **pack_format 82** by default for the modern JavaScript-style syntax.
+
+---
+
+## 🚀 Install
+
+### Option A — from PyPI (recommended for users)
+Global, isolated CLI via **pipx**:
+```bash
+python3 -m pip install --user pipx
+python3 -m pipx ensurepath    # reopen terminal
+pipx install minecraft-datapack-language
+
+mdl --help
+```
+
+Virtualenv (if you prefer):
+```bash
+python3 -m venv .venv
+source .venv/bin/activate      # Windows: .\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
+pip install minecraft-datapack-language
+```
+
+### Option B — from source (for contributors)
+```bash
+# inside the repo
+python -m pip install -e .
+```
+
+---
+
+## 🔄 Update
+
+- **pipx**: `pipx upgrade minecraft-datapack-language`  
+- **pip (venv)**: `pip install -U minecraft-datapack-language`  
+- Pin a version: `pipx install "minecraft-datapack-language==<version>"` (replace `<version>` with desired version)
+
+---
+
+## 💻 CLI
+
+### Modern JavaScript-style MDL (v15.0+)
+```bash
+# Build JavaScript-style MDL files
+mdl build --mdl my_pack/mypack.mdl -o dist --wrapper mypack
+mdl check my_pack/mypack.mdl
+
+# Validate generated mcfunction files
+mdl check my_pack/mypack.mdl
+
+# Multi-file projects
+mdl build --mdl my_pack/ -o dist      # Build entire directory
+mdl build --mdl "file1.mdl file2.mdl" -o dist  # Build specific files
+
+# Create new projects
+mdl new my_awesome_pack
+```
+
+### 🐛 **Comprehensive Error Handling**
+
+MDL provides detailed error reporting with exact locations and helpful suggestions:
+
+```bash
+# Check for errors with detailed output
+mdl check my_pack.mdl --verbose
+```
+
+**Example Error Output:**
+```
+Error 1: MDLSyntaxError in test.mdl:15:8
+Missing closing brace for if statement
+Context:
+  13:   if (score > 10) {
+  14:     say "High score!"
+  15:     score = 0
+  16:   }
+
+Suggestion: Add closing brace '}' after line 15
+
+Error 2: MDLLexerError in test.mdl:22:12
+Unterminated string literal
+Context:
+  20:   say "Hello world
+  21:   score = 10
+  22:   say "Goodbye
+
+Suggestion: Add closing quote '"' at the end of line 20
+```
+
+**Error Features:**
+- ✅ **Exact Location**: Line and column numbers for precise error location
+- ✅ **Context Lines**: Shows surrounding code for better debugging
+- ✅ **Helpful Suggestions**: Specific fix recommendations
+- ✅ **Multiple Error Collection**: Reports all errors, not just the first
+- ✅ **Error Types**: Syntax, Lexer, Parser, Validation, File, Build, and Configuration errors
+
+### Comments in MDL
+MDL supports modern JavaScript-style comments:
+```javascript
+// Single-line comments
+/* Multi-line comments */
+
+pack "My Pack" {
+    function example() {
+        // This comment will be properly converted to mcfunction
+        say Hello World!;
+    }
+}
+```
+
+Generated mcfunction files will have proper `#` comments:
+```mcfunction
+# This is a generated comment
+say Hello World!
+```
+
+### Build a whole folder of `.mdl` files
+```bash
+mdl build --mdl src/ -o dist
+# Recursively parses src/**/*.mdl, merges into one pack (errors on duplicate functions).
+# Only the first file should have a pack declaration - all others are modules.
+```
+
+### Build multiple specific `.mdl` files
+```bash
+mdl build --mdl "src/core.mdl src/features.mdl src/ui.mdl" -o dist
+# Parses multiple specific files and merges them into one datapack.
+# Only the first file should have a pack declaration - all others are modules.
+```
+
+### Validate a folder (JSON diagnostics)
+```bash
+mdl check --json src/
+```
+
+---
+
+## 📝 Quick Start - **MODERN** MDL
+
+Create your first modern MDL project:
+
+```mdl
+// modern_pack.mdl
+pack "Modern Pack" description "A modern example" pack_format 82;
+
+namespace "example";
+
+// Number variables with expressions
+var num counter = 0;
+var num health = 20;
+var num level = 1;
+var num experience = 0;
+
+function "init" {
+    say Initializing...;
+    counter = 0;
+    health = 20;
+    level = 1;
+    experience = 0;
+}
+
+function "tick" {
+    counter = counter + 1;
+    
+    // Full if/else if/else control structure
+    if "$health$ < 10" {
+        say Health is low!;
+        health = health + 5;
+        effect give @a minecraft:regeneration 10 1;
+    } else if "$level$ > 5" {
+        say High level player!;
+        effect give @a minecraft:strength 10 1;
+    } else {
+        say Normal player;
+        effect give @a minecraft:speed 10 0;
+    }
+    
+    // Variable substitution in strings
+    say Counter: $counter$;
+    
+    // While loop with method selection
+    while "$counter$ < 10" {
+        counter = $counter$ + 1;
+        say Counter: $counter$;
+    }
+    
+    // Expressions with arithmetic
+    experience = $level$ * 100 + $counter$;
+    say Experience: $experience$;
+}
+
+// Lifecycle hooks
+on_load "example:init";
+on_tick "example:tick";
+```
+
+Build and test:
+```bash
+mdl build --mdl modern_pack.mdl -o dist
+# → dist/modern_pack/... and dist/modern_pack.zip
+```
+
+---
+
+## 📁 Multi-file Support
+
+MDL supports building datapacks from multiple `.mdl` files. This is useful for organizing large projects into logical modules.
+
+### How it works
+- **Directory scanning**: When you pass a directory to `--mdl`, MDL recursively finds all `.mdl` files
+- **File merging**: Each file is parsed into a `Pack` object, then merged into a single datapack
+- **Conflict resolution**: Duplicate function names within the same namespace will cause an error
+- **Pack metadata**: Only the **first file** should have a pack declaration (name, description, format)
+- **Module files**: Subsequent files should **not** have pack declarations - they are treated as modules
+- **Single file compilation**: When compiling a single file, it **must** have a pack declaration
+
+### Best practices
+- **One pack declaration per project**: Only the **first file** should have a pack declaration
+- **Module files**: All other files should **not** have pack declarations - they are treated as modules
+- **Single file requirement**: When compiling a single file, it **must** have a pack declaration
+- **Organize by namespace**: Consider splitting files by namespace or feature
+- **Use descriptive filenames**: `core.mdl`, `combat.mdl`, `ui.mdl` etc.
+- **Avoid conflicts**: Ensure function names are unique within each namespace
+
+### Example project structure
+```
+my_datapack/
+├── core.mdl          # ✅ HAS pack declaration
+├── combat/
+│   ├── weapons.mdl   # ❌ NO pack declaration (module)
+│   └── armor.mdl     # ❌ NO pack declaration (module)
+├── ui/
+│   └── hud.mdl       # ❌ NO pack declaration (module)
+└── data/
+    └── recipes.mdl   # ❌ NO pack declaration (module)
+```
+
+**Important**: Only `core.mdl` should have a `pack "Name"` declaration. All other files are modules that merge into the main pack.
+
+### Usage Examples
+
+**Build from directory:**
+```bash
+mdl build --mdl my_datapack/ -o dist
+```
+
+**Build from specific files:**
+```bash
+mdl build --mdl "core.mdl combat.mdl ui.mdl" -o dist
+```
+
+**Check entire project:**
+```bash
+mdl check my_datapack/
+```
+
+**Check with verbose output:**
+```bash
+mdl build --mdl my_datapack/ -o dist --verbose
+```
+
+### Complete Multi-File Example
+
+Here's a complete example showing how to organize a datapack across multiple files:
+
+**`core.mdl`** (main file with pack declaration):
+```mdl
+// core.mdl - Main pack and core systems
+pack "Adventure Pack" description "Multi-file example datapack" pack_format 82;
+
+namespace "core";
+
+// Number variables with expressions
+var num system_version = 1;
+var num player_count = 0;
+var num total_experience = 0;
+
+function "init" {
+    say [core:init] Initializing Adventure Pack...;
+    tellraw @a {"text":"Adventure Pack loaded!","color":"green"};
+    system_version = 1;
+    player_count = 0;
+    total_experience = 0;
+}
+
+function "tick" {
+    say [core:tick] Core systems running...;
+    execute as @a run particle minecraft:end_rod ~ ~ ~ 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.01 1;
+    player_count = player_count + 1;
+    
+    // Control structure example
+    if "$player_count$ > 10" {
+        say Many players online!;
+        effect give @a minecraft:glowing 5 0;
+    }
+}
+
+// Hook into vanilla lifecycle
+on_load "core:init";
+on_tick "core:tick";
+```
+
+**`combat/weapons.mdl`** (combat module):
+```mdl
+// combat/weapons.mdl - Weapon-related functions
+namespace "combat";
+
+var num weapon_damage = 10;
+var num critical_chance = 5;
+
+function "weapon_effects" {
+    say [combat:weapon_effects] Applying weapon effects...;
+    execute as @a[nbt={SelectedItem:{id:'minecraft:diamond_sword'}}] run effect give @s minecraft:strength 1 0 true;
+    weapon_damage = weapon_damage + 2;
+    
+    // Expression example
+    critical_chance = $weapon_damage$ / 2;
+}
+
+function "update_combat" {
+    function core:tick;
+    function combat:weapon_effects;
+}
+```
+
+**`combat/armor.mdl`** (armor module):
+```mdl
+// combat/armor.mdl - Armor-related functions
+namespace "combat";
+
+var num armor_bonus = 5;
+var num defense_rating = 0;
+
+function "armor_bonus" {
+    say [combat:armor_bonus] Checking armor bonuses...;
+    execute as @a[nbt={Inventory:[{Slot:103b,id:"minecraft:diamond_helmet"}]}] run effect give @s minecraft:resistance 1 0 true;
+    armor_bonus = armor_bonus + 1;
+    
+    // Expression with multiple variables
+    defense_rating = $armor_bonus$ * 2 + 10;
+}
+
+function "update_armor" {
+    function combat:armor_bonus;
+}
+```
+
+**`ui/hud.mdl`** (UI module):
+```mdl
+// ui/hud.mdl - User interface functions
+namespace "ui";
+
+var num hud_version = 1;
+var num display_counter = 0;
+
+function "show_hud" {
+    say [ui:show_hud] Updating HUD...;
+    title @a actionbar {"text":"Adventure Pack Active","color":"gold"};
+    hud_version = hud_version + 1;
+    
+    // While loop example
+    while "$display_counter$ < 5" {
+        display_counter = $display_counter$ + 1;
+        say HUD update: $display_counter$;
+    }
+}
+
+function "update_ui" {
+    function ui:show_hud;
+    function combat:update_combat;
+    function combat:update_armor;
+}
+```
+
+**Project structure:**
+```
+adventure_pack/
+├── core.mdl              # ✅ HAS pack declaration
+├── combat/
+│   ├── weapons.mdl       # ❌ NO pack declaration (module)
+│   └── armor.mdl         # ❌ NO pack declaration (module)
+└── ui/
+    └── hud.mdl           # ❌ NO pack declaration (module)
+```
+
+**Build the project:**
+```bash
+mdl build --mdl adventure_pack/ -o dist --verbose
+```
+
+This will create a datapack with:
+- **Core systems** (initialization and tick functions)
+- **Combat features** (weapon and armor effects)
+- **UI elements** (HUD display)
+- **Cross-module calls** (UI calls combat functions)
+- **Variable optimization** (automatic load function generation)
+
+### CLI Options for Multi-file Builds
+
+- `--mdl <path>`: Path to `.mdl` file, directory, or space-separated file list
+- `--src <path>`: Alias for `--mdl` (same functionality)
+- `-o, --out <dir>`: Output directory for the built datapack
+- `--wrapper <name>`: Custom wrapper folder/zip name (default: first namespace or pack name slug)
+- `--pack-format <N>`: Minecraft pack format (default: 82 for modern syntax)
+- `-v, --verbose`: Show detailed processing information including file merging
+- `--py-module <path>`: Alternative: build from Python module with `create_pack()` function
+
+### Error Handling
+
+- **Missing pack declaration**: Single files must have a pack declaration
+- **Duplicate pack declarations**: Only the first file in a multi-file project should have a pack declaration
+- **Function conflicts**: Duplicate function names within the same namespace will cause an error
+- **Clear error messages**: Errors include file paths and line numbers for easy debugging
+
+---
+
+## 🎯 **Advanced Multi-File Examples with Namespaces**
+
+### **Modern Namespace System**
+
+MDL's namespace system allows you to organize code across multiple files with proper separation:
+
+**`game.mdl`** - Core Game Logic:
+```mdl
+pack "multi_game" "A multi-file game example" 82;
+
+namespace "game";
+
+var num player_score = 0;
+var num game_timer = 0;
+var num health = 20;
+
+function "main" {
+    // If-else if-else chain
+    if "$health$ < 10" {
+        say "Health is low: $health$";
+        health = $health$ + 5;
+    } else if "$health$ > 15" {
+        say "Health is good: $health$";
+    } else {
+        say "Health is moderate: $health$";
+    }
+    
+    // While loop with counter
+    while "$game_timer$ < 5" {
+        game_timer = $game_timer$ + 1;
+        say "Game Timer: $game_timer$";
+    }
+}
+
+function "score_update" {
+    player_score = $player_score$ + 10;
+    say "Score updated: $player_score$";
+}
+
+on_tick "game:main";
+```
+
+**`ui.mdl`** - User Interface:
+```mdl
+namespace "ui";
+
+var num menu_state = 0;
+var num selected_option = 1;
+
+function "main" {
+    // Show menu based on state
+    if "$menu_state$ == 0" {
+        say "=== Main Menu ===";
+        say "1. Start Game";
+        say "2. Options";
+        say "3. Exit";
+    }
+    
+    // Handle selection
+    if "$selected_option$ == 1" {
+        say "Starting game...";
+    } else if "$selected_option$ == 2" {
+        say "Opening options...";
+    } else if "$selected_option$ == 3" {
+        say "Exiting...";
+    }
+}
+
+function "button_handler" {
+    var num button_id = 0;
+    
+    if "$button_id$ == 1" {
+        selected_option = 1;
+        say "Option 1 selected";
+    } else if "$button_id$ == 2" {
+        selected_option = 2;
+        say "Option 2 selected";
+    }
+}
+
+on_load "ui:main";
+```
+
+**`combat.mdl`** - Combat System:
+```mdl
+namespace "combat";
+
+var num enemy_count = 5;
+var num damage = 0;
+
+function "main" {
+    var num total_damage = 0;
+    total_damage = $damage$ * 2;
+    
+    if "$total_damage$ > 20" {
+        say "Critical hit! Damage: $total_damage$";
+    } else {
+        say "Normal hit. Damage: $total_damage$";
+    }
+    
+    // Variable substitution in tellraw
+    tellraw @a [{"text":"Enemy Count: "},{"score":{"name":"@a","objective":"enemy_count"}}];
+}
+
+on_tick "combat:main";
+```
+
+### **Build and Generated Structure**
+
+```bash
+# Build all files together
+mdl build --mdl . -o dist
+
+# Or build specific files
+mdl build --mdl "game.mdl ui.mdl combat.mdl" -o dist
+```
+
+**Generated Structure:**
+```
+dist/
+├── data/
+│   ├── minecraft/tags/function/
+│   │   ├── load.json    # Contains all load functions
+│   │   └── tick.json    # Contains all tick functions
+│   ├── game/            # game.mdl namespace
+│   │   └── function/
+│   │       ├── main.mcfunction
+│   │       └── score_update.mcfunction
+│   ├── ui/              # ui.mdl namespace
+│   │   └── function/
+│   │       ├── main.mcfunction
+│   │       └── button_handler.mcfunction
+│   └── combat/          # combat.mdl namespace
+│       └── function/
+│           └── main.mcfunction
+└── pack.mcmeta
+```
+
+### **Key Benefits of Namespace System**
+
+- ✅ **No function name conflicts** - Each namespace is completely separate
+- ✅ **Modular development** - Work on different features in separate files
+- ✅ **Automatic merging** - All variables and functions are combined intelligently
+- ✅ **Proper initialization** - Variables are automatically set up in load functions
+- ✅ **Clean organization** - Each module has its own directory structure
+- ✅ **Easy maintenance** - Update individual modules without affecting others
+
+### **Complete Example Project**
+
+Check out the `examples/multi_file_example/` directory for a complete working example with:
+- Multiple namespaces (`test`, `other`, `ui`)
+- Various control structures and expressions
+- Comprehensive documentation
+- Ready-to-build files
+
+---
+
+## 📝 The **MODERN** `.mdl` Language
+
+### Grammar you can rely on (based on the parser)
+- **pack header** (required once):
+  ```mdl
+  pack "Name" [description "Desc"] [pack_format N];
+  ```
+- **namespace** (selects a namespace for following blocks):
+  ```mdl
+  namespace "example";
+  ```
+- **number variable declarations** (only `num` type supported):
+  ```mdl
+  var num counter = 0;
+  var num health = 20;
+  var num level = 1;
+  ```
+- **function** (curly braces + semicolons):
+  ```mdl
+  function "hello" {
+      say hi;
+      tellraw @a {"text":"ok","color":"green"};
+  }
+  ```
+- **full conditional blocks** (if/else if/else statements):
+  ```mdl
+  function "conditional" {
+      if "$health$ < 10" {
+          say Health is low!;
+          effect give @s minecraft:glowing 5 1;
+      } else if "$level$ > 5" {
+          say High level player!;
+          effect give @s minecraft:speed 5 1;
+      } else {
+          say Normal player;
+          effect give @s minecraft:jump_boost 5 0;
+      }
+  }
+  ```
+- **while loops** (repetitive execution with method selection):
+  ```mdl
+  function "countdown" {
+      var num counter = 5;
+      while "$counter$ > 0" {
+          say Counter: $counter$;
+          counter = counter - 1;
+      }
+      
+      // Schedule method for performance
+      counter = 10;
+      while "$counter$ > 0" method="schedule" {
+          say Schedule counter: $counter$;
+          counter = $counter$ - 1;
+      }
+  }
+  ```
+- **expressions** (arithmetic operations):
+  ```mdl
+  function "expressions" {
+      var num a = 10;
+      var num b = 5;
+      var num result = $a$ + $b$ * 2;
+      say Result: $result$;
+  }
+  ```
+- **function calls** (one function invoking another with fully qualified ID):
+  ```mdl
+  function "outer" {
+      say I will call another function;
+      function example:hello;
+  }
+  ```
+- **hooks** (namespaced ids required):
+  ```mdl
+  on_load "example:hello";
+  on_tick "example:hello";
+  ```
+- **tags** (supported registries: `function`, `item`, `block`, `entity_type`, `fluid`, `game_event`):
+  ```mdl
+  tag function "minecraft:tick" {
+      add "example:hello";
+  }
+  ```
+- **comments** start with `//` or `/* */`. Hashes inside **quoted strings** are preserved.
+- **whitespace**: empty lines are ignored; **explicit block boundaries** using curly braces `{` and `}`; **statement termination** using semicolons `;`.
+
+> Inside a function block, **every non-empty line** is emitted almost verbatim as a Minecraft command. Comments are stripped out and multi-line commands are automatically wrapped. See below for details.
+
+### Comments
+
+MDL supports modern JavaScript-style comments:
+
+- **Full-line comments** (a line starting with `//`) are ignored by the parser.
+- **Block comments** (`/* */`) are supported for multi-line comments.
+- **Inline `#` characters** are preserved inside function bodies, so you can still use them the way `mcfunction` normally allows.
+
+Example:
+
+```mdl
+// Comment Demo - Testing comments
+pack "Comment Demo" description "Testing comments";
+
+namespace "demo";
+
+function "comments" {
+    // This whole line is ignored by MDL
+    say Hello; // This inline comment is preserved
+    tellraw @a {"text":"World","color":"blue"}; // Inline too!
+    
+    /* This is a block comment
+       that spans multiple lines
+       and is ignored by the parser */
+}
+```
+
+When compiled, the resulting function looks like:
+
+```mcfunction
+say Hello # This inline comment is preserved
+tellraw @a {"text":"World","color":"blue"} # Inline too!
+```
+
+Notice how the full-line `//` and block comments never make it into the `.mcfunction`, but the inline ones do.
+
+---
+
+### **MODERN** Variables and Data Types
+
+MDL supports **number variables** with **expressions and arithmetic operations**:
+
+#### Number Variables (`num`)
+```mdl
+var num counter = 0;
+var num health = 20;
+var num experience = 100;
+
+// Arithmetic operations
+counter = counter + 1;
+health = health - 5;
+experience = experience * 2;
+
+// Expressions with multiple variables
+var num total = $health$ + $experience$;
+var num average = $total$ / 2;
+
+// Variable substitution in strings
+say Health: $health$;
+say Experience: $experience$;
+say Total: $total$;
+```
+
+**Variable Substitution**: Use `$variable_name$` to read values from scoreboards in strings and conditions.
+
+**Expressions**: Support for arithmetic operations (`+`, `-`, `*`, `/`) with proper order of operations.
+
+### **MODERN** Control Flow
+
+MDL supports full conditional blocks and loops for control flow.
+
+#### Conditional Blocks
+
+MDL supports complete if/else if/else statements for conditional execution:
+
+```mdl
+function "conditional_example" {
+    var num player_level = 15;
+    var num player_health = 8;
+    var num player_experience = 1000;
+    
+    if "$player_level$ >= 10" {
+        if "$player_health$ < 10" {
+            say Advanced player with low health!;
+            effect give @s minecraft:regeneration 10 1;
+            player_health = $player_health$ + 10;
+        } else {
+            say Advanced player with good health;
+            effect give @s minecraft:strength 10 1;
+        }
+    } else if "$player_level$ >= 5" {
+        say Intermediate player;
+        effect give @s minecraft:speed 10 0;
+    } else {
+        say Beginner player;
+        effect give @s minecraft:jump_boost 10 0;
+    }
+    
+    // Expression in condition
+    if "$player_experience$ > $player_level$ * 100" {
+        say High experience for level!;
+    }
+}
+```
+
+**Rules:**
+- Conditions use `$variable$` syntax for variable substitution
+- **Explicit block boundaries**: Conditional blocks use curly braces `{` and `}`
+- **Statement termination**: All commands must end with semicolons `;`
+- You can have multiple `else if` blocks
+- The `else` block is optional
+- Conditional blocks are compiled to separate functions and called with `execute` commands
+- **Proper logic**: `else if` blocks only execute if previous conditions were false
+- **Expressions in conditions**: Support for arithmetic operations in conditions
+
+#### While Loops
+
+MDL supports while loops with method selection for repetitive execution:
+
+```mdl
+function "while_example" {
+    var num counter = 5;
+    
+    // Default recursion method (immediate execution)
+    while "$counter$ > 0" {
+        say "Counter: $counter$";
+        counter = $counter$ - 1;
+    }
+    
+    // Schedule method (spreads across ticks for performance)
+    counter = 10;
+    while "$counter$ > 0" method="schedule" {
+        say "Schedule counter: $counter$";
+        counter = $counter$ - 1;
+    }
+    
+    // Expression in loop condition
+    var num max_count = 5;
+    counter = 0;
+    while "$counter$ < $max_count$ * 2" {
+        say "Expression counter: $counter$";
+        counter = $counter$ + 1;
+    }
+}
+```
+
+**Rules:**
+- Conditions use `$variable$` syntax for variable substitution
+- **Explicit block boundaries**: While loops use curly braces `{` and `}`
+- **Statement termination**: All commands must end with semicolons `;`
+- While loops continue until the condition becomes false
+- **Method Selection**: Choose `method="recursion"` (default) or `method="schedule"`
+- **Recursion method**: Executes all iterations immediately (good for small loops)
+- **Schedule method**: Spreads iterations across ticks (better for long loops, prevents lag)
+- **Important**: Ensure your loop body modifies the condition to avoid infinite loops
+- **Expressions in conditions**: Support for arithmetic operations in loop conditions
+
+**Implementation**: While loops generate separate function files with proper recursive calls to continue execution until the condition becomes false.
+
+---
+
+### Multi-line Commands
+
+Long JSON commands can be split across multiple lines with a trailing backslash `\`.  
+MDL will join them back together before writing the final `.mcfunction`.
+
+Example:
+
+```mdl
+// Multi-line Demo
+pack "Multi-line Demo";
+
+namespace "demo";
+
+function "multiline" {
+    tellraw @a \
+        {"text":"This text is really, really long so we split it",\
+         "color":"gold"};
+}
+```
+
+When compiled, the function is a single line:
+
+```mcfunction
+tellraw @a {"text":"This text is really, really long so we split it","color":"gold"}
+```
+
+---
+
+## 🎯 **MODERN** example (control structures + variables + expressions)
+
+```mdl
+// modern_pack.mdl - modern example for Minecraft Datapack Language
+pack "Modern Pack" description "Modern example datapack" pack_format 82;
+
+namespace "example";
+
+// Number variables with expressions
+var num counter = 0;
+var num health = 20;
+var num level = 1;
+var num experience = 0;
+
+function "inner" {
+    say [example:inner] This is the inner function;
+    tellraw @a {"text":"Running inner","color":"yellow"};
+    counter = counter + 1;
+}
+
+function "hello" {
+    say [example:hello] Outer says hi;
+    function example:inner;
+    tellraw @a {"text":"Back in hello","color":"aqua"};
+    
+    // Variable operations with expressions
+    health = health + 5;
+    level = level + 1;
+    experience = $level$ * 100 + $counter$;
+    
+    // Variable substitution
+    say Health: $health$;
+    say Level: $level$;
+    say Experience: $experience$;
+    
+    // Full control structures
+    if "$health$ > 15" {
+        say High health!;
+        effect give @s minecraft:strength 10 1;
+    } else if "$level$ > 5" {
+        say High level!;
+        effect give @s minecraft:speed 10 1;
+    } else {
+        say Normal stats;
+        effect give @s minecraft:jump_boost 10 0;
+    }
+    
+    // While loop with method selection
+    while "$counter$ < 5" {
+        say Counter: $counter$;
+        counter = counter + 1;
+    }
+    
+    // Expression in condition
+    if "$experience$ > $level$ * 50" {
+        say High experience for level!;
+    }
+}
+
+// Hook the function into load and tick
+on_load "example:hello";
+on_tick "example:hello";
+
+// Second namespace with a cross-namespace call
+namespace "util";
+
+var num helper_count = 0;
+var num total_help = 0;
+
+function "helper" {
+    say [util:helper] Helping out...;
+    helper_count = helper_count + 1;
+    total_help = $helper_count$ * 10;
+    say Helper count: $helper_count$;
+    say Total help: $total_help$;
+}
+
+function "boss" {
+    say [util:boss] Calling example:hello then util:helper;
+    function example:hello;
+    function util:helper;
+}
+
+// Run boss every tick as well
+on_tick "util:boss";
+
+// Function tag examples
+tag function "minecraft:load" {
+    add "example:hello";
+}
+
+tag function "minecraft:tick" {
+    add "example:hello";
+    add "util:boss";
+}
+
+// Data tag examples across registries
+tag item "example:swords" {
+    add "minecraft:diamond_sword";
+    add "minecraft:netherite_sword";
+}
+
+tag block "example:glassy" {
+    add "minecraft:glass";
+    add "minecraft:tinted_glass";
+}
+```
+
+### What this demonstrates
+- **Nested-like function composition** (`function example:inner` inside `function "hello"`).
+- **Multiple namespaces** (`example`, `util`) calling each other with fully-qualified IDs.
+- **Lifecycle hooks** (`on_load`, `on_tick`) on both `example:hello` and `util:boss`.
+- **Function tags** to participate in vanilla tags (`minecraft:load`, `minecraft:tick`).
+- **Data tags** (`item`, `block`) in addition to function tags.
+- **Number variables** with `$variable$` substitution.
+- **Expressions** with arithmetic operations and variable substitution.
+- **Full control structures** - `if/else if/else`, `while` loops with method selection.
+- **Modern syntax** with curly braces and semicolons.
+- **Variable optimization** - automatic load function generation.
+
+---
+
+## 🐍 Python API equivalent
+
+```python
+from minecraft_datapack_language import Pack
+
+def build_pack():
+    p = Pack(name="Modern Pack",
+             description="Modern example datapack",
+             pack_format=82)
+
+    ex = p.namespace("example")
+    ex.function("inner",
+        'say [example:inner] This is the inner function',
+        'tellraw @a {"text":"Running inner","color":"yellow"}'
+    )
+    ex.function("hello",
+        'say [example:hello] Outer says hi',
+        'function example:inner',
+        'tellraw @a {"text":"Back in hello","color":"aqua"}'
+    )
+
+    # Hooks for example namespace
+    p.on_load("example:hello")
+    p.on_tick("example:hello")
+
+    util = p.namespace("util")
+    util.function("helper",
+        'say [util:helper] Helping out...'
+    )
+    util.function("boss",
+        'say [util:boss] Calling example:hello then util:helper',
+        'function example:hello',
+        'function util:helper'
+    )
+
+    # Tick hook for util namespace
+    p.on_tick("util:boss")
+
+    # Function tags
+    p.tag("function", "minecraft:load", values=["example:hello"])
+    p.tag("function", "minecraft:tick", values=["example:hello", "util:boss"])
+
+    # Data tags
+    p.tag("item",  "example:swords", values=["minecraft:diamond_sword", "minecraft:netherite_sword"])
+    p.tag("block", "example:glassy", values=["minecraft:glass", "minecraft:tinted_glass"])
+
+    return p
+```
+
+Build it:
+```bash
+python - <<'PY'
+from my_pack_module import build_pack
+from minecraft_datapack_language.cli import main as M
+# write to dist/ with a wrapper folder name 'mypack'
+p = build_pack()
+M(['build', '--py-object', 'my_pack_module:build_pack', '-o', 'dist', '--wrapper', 'mypack', '--pack-format', '82'])
+PY
+```
+
+---
+
+## 🔧 Development System
+
+MDL includes a comprehensive development system that allows you to work with both stable and development versions simultaneously.
+
+### Quick Setup
+
+**Linux/macOS:**
+```bash
+./scripts/dev_setup.sh
+```
+
+**Windows (PowerShell):**
+```powershell
+.\scripts\dev_setup.ps1
+```
+
+### Development Commands
+
+- **`mdl`** - Stable, globally installed version
+- **`mdlbeta`** - Local development version for testing changes
+
+### Development Workflow
+
+1. **Make changes** to the code
+2. **Rebuild** the development version:
+   ```bash
+   ./scripts/dev_build.sh
+   ```
+3. **Test** your changes with `mdlbeta`:
+   ```bash
+   mdlbeta build --mdl your_file.mdl -o dist
+   ```
+4. **Compare** with stable version:
+   ```bash
+   mdl build --mdl your_file.mdl -o dist_stable
+   ```
+
+### Testing
+
+**Test the development environment:**
+```bash
+# Linux/macOS
+./scripts/test_dev.sh
+
+# Windows (PowerShell)
+.\scripts\test_dev.ps1
+```
+
+For more details, see [DEVELOPMENT.md](DEVELOPMENT.md).
+
+## 🔧 VS Code Extension
+
+Get syntax highlighting, error checking, and build commands for `.mdl` files in VS Code, Cursor, and other VS Code-based editors.
+
+### Quick Install
+
+1. **Download from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/aaron777collins/MinecraftDatapackLanguage/releases)**
+2. **Install the `.vsix` file**:
+   - Open VS Code/Cursor
+   - Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
+   - Click "..." → "Install from VSIX..."
+   - Choose the downloaded `.vsix` file
+
+### Features
+- **Syntax highlighting** for `.mdl` files
+- **Real-time error checking** with error detection
+- **Build commands**: `MDL: Build current file` and `MDL: Check Workspace`
+- **Workspace validation** for multi-file projects
+- **Server function support**: Proper `@a` selector usage for tag-called functions
+
+### Development Setup
+```bash
+cd vscode-extension/
+npm i
+# Press F5 to launch the Extension Dev Host
+```
+
+---
+
+## 🚀 CI & Releases
+
+- **CI** runs on push/PR across Linux/macOS/Windows and uploads artifacts.
+- **Release** is triggered by pushing a tag like `v1.0.0` or via the Release workflow manually.
+- Versions are derived from git tags via **setuptools-scm**; tag `vX.Y.Z` → package version `X.Y.Z`.
+
+### Local release helper
+```bash
+# requires GitHub CLI: gh auth login
+./scripts/release.sh patch  "Fixes"
+./scripts/release.sh minor  "Features"
+./scripts/release.sh major  "Breaking"
+./scripts/release.sh v1.2.3 "Exact version"
+```