URLs can have certain parameters. For example, you can add ?q=Query to a lot of search engines, and they will open with that query typed in already. This allows to linking a certain page, like "Go to https://startpage.com/search?q=tomato to find out interesting things about tomatoes“ instead of ”Go to https://startpage.com/ and type in tomato to find out interesting things about tomatoes“.

That would work for Scratch too. Say project XYZ has a save code system. Instead of saing ”Go to https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/XYZ/, go to the save code input and type in ABC123“, you could just say ”Go to https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/XYZ?save=ABC123", and the project could look at those parameters and start the project in a certain way.

These blocks would have to be added:

(parameter [save] :: control)
<parameter [save] given? :: control>
set [save] to [ABC123] :: control

If a parameter is not given, the reporter would simply report the empty string - the boolean is to be able to distinguish https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/XYZ/?param from just https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/XYZ/. The stack block is so you can simply copy the link from the adress bar.

URLs are limited to 8,192 characters, so this would be the limit for parameters.

So, would this basically load the save code (or whatever) into the project, or would it just automatically load the data into whatever variable it wanted?
If it was the latter, I wouldn't want this because if it set a random variable to a save code (or whatever) without any “context” in the link, it could break the project. I'm not thinking properly.

k0d3rrr wrote:

(#2)
So, would this basically load the save code (or whatever) into the project, or would it just automatically load the data into whatever variable it wanted?
If it was the latter, I wouldn't want this because if it set a random variable to a save code (or whatever) without any “context” in the link, it could break the project. I'm not thinking properly.

It could just do nothing too. The user has to code in parameter support themselves

So this is similar to the old user ID block but it stores unrelated numbers now, such as a save code?

musicROCKS013 wrote:

(#4)
So this is similar to the old user ID block but it stores unrelated numbers now, such as a save code?

Not really, that data is stored in URLs

mybearworld wrote:

Not really, that data is stored in URLs

Ohhhhh like they can add a save code to the end of the link? Genuis.

musicROCKS013 wrote:

(#6)

mybearworld wrote:

Not really, that data is stored in URLs

Ohhhhh like they can add a save code to the end of the link? Genuis.

Yes, exactly!

Could there maybe be this block as well?

set parameter to [] :: control

This would allow you to simply have to copy the link, instead of type it out yourself, and could make this feature a lot easier for users of the project, especially if the parameter needs to save a lot of data.

musicROCKS013 wrote:

Could there maybe be this block as well?

set parameter to [] :: control

This would allow you to simply have to copy the link, instead of type it out yourself, and could make this feature a lot easier for users of the project, especially if the parameter needs to save a lot of data.

I think that’s a great idea! It’s definitely possible too.
I know it’s possible since clicking on a post timestamp on the forums will add a URL parameter.

i'd actually find that kinda useful sometimes. support

musicROCKS013 wrote:

(#8)
Could there maybe be this block as well?

set parameter to [] :: control

This would allow you to simply have to copy the link, instead of type it out yourself, and could make this feature a lot easier for users of the project, especially if the parameter needs to save a lot of data.

Good idea! Added to the OP

Looking at the mock-up blocks I just wondered something. Can you have multiple parameters, and that is why you can name them for the drop down?

musicROCKS013 wrote:

(#12)
Looking at the mock-up blocks I just wondered something. Can you have multiple parameters, and that is why you can name them for the drop down?

Yes, like https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/XYZ?save=ABC&appearence=dark, for example

tttttt

Well, I think this suggestion idea is genius. I mean, it could easily be used to save data and other things. I mean, it couldn't that hard to code in instead of save codes in-game. I just have one question. How would the user get the parameter? I mean, from the block choice I don't see a way it could show the parameter unless I'm wrong, and I don't think the link could update.

PGBFLITE6373 wrote:

Well, I think this suggestion idea is genius. I mean, it could easily be used to save data and other things. I mean, it couldn't that hard to code in instead of save codes in-game. I just have one question. How would the user get the parameter? I mean, from the block choice I don't see a way it could show the parameter unless I'm wrong, and I don't think the link could update.

I think I've seen the link update, but I also think one of these would also help:

(parameters :: sensing) // returns "?foo=bar"
(link with parameters :: sensing) // returns "https://scratch.mit.edu/54323456/?foo=bar"

Also, wouldn't these better fit in sensing?

Bump

PkmnQ wrote:

(#16)

PGBFLITE6373 wrote:

Well, I think this suggestion idea is genius. I mean, it could easily be used to save data and other things. I mean, it couldn't that hard to code in instead of save codes in-game. I just have one question. How would the user get the parameter? I mean, from the block choice I don't see a way it could show the parameter unless I'm wrong, and I don't think the link could update.

I think I've seen the link update, but I also think one of these would also help:

(parameters :: sensing) // returns "?foo=bar"
(link with parameters :: sensing) // returns "https://scratch.mit.edu/54323456/?foo=bar"

Also, wouldn't these better fit in sensing?

What would these be used for though?

PkmnQ wrote:

(link with parameters :: sensing) // returns "https://scratch.mit.edu/54323456/?foo=bar"

But you could use this block to detect if a project is a remix or not, which isn't good. People will likely make the project crash if the link isn't the original, so that isn't good. Plus, what other implementation would there be?

Bump