The Howdy Glossary

Hollywood is a multimedia-oriented programming language designed for creating applications, tools, and games with rich graphical user interfaces. It features a syntax that combines elements of JavaScript and BASIC dialects, making it accessible to developers from various backgrounds. Hollywood supports animations, 2D vector graphics, text effects, and hardware-accelerated audio processing. A significant advantage is its capability to compile scripts into stand-alone executables across different platforms without requiring codebase modifications. The language also allows for extensibility through C++ plugins, enabling developers to create custom tailored solutions.

Andreas Falkenhahn developed Hollywood with the goal of providing a powerful yet flexible programming language focused on multimedia applications. His expertise in software development and passion for multimedia technology informed the creation of Hollywood as a versatile solution for building visually rich and interactive software. The combination of JavaScript and BASIC dialects in the syntax provides both familiarity and power for developers working on diverse projects ranging from simple tools to complex games.

Hollywood distinguishes itself through several competitive advantages compared to other multimedia-oriented programming languages such as Adobe Flash (Adobe Animate), Unity, and Unreal Engine. Unlike Adobe Flash which primarily targets web-based applications or Unity and Unreal Engine which are geared towards 3D game development, Hollywood excels in hardware-accelerated performance for animations, 2D vector graphics, text effects, and audio processing across various platforms. Its ability to compile scripts into platform-independent executables without altering the codebase further sets it apart as an effective cross-platform development tool. Additionally, support for C++ plugins enhances its flexibility by allowing developers to extend capabilities specifically tailored to their needs.