GPC Explained

OK, so what's this GPC scripting language you keep hearing about?

GPC is the scripting language used by the Cronus Zen and CronusMAX game controller protocol converters, and is widely recognized as the definitive scripting language for gaming mods and macros.

Its commands have been designed to be self explanatory so anyone from a novice to expert programmer is able to pick it up quickly. The basic syntax of GPC has been borrowed from C language and the basic structure and keywords will be familiar to those whom have programmed in C before.

GPC is simply a human readable version of the code used by the Cronus, which actually uses a bytecode system. Whenever you program, build or compile a GPC script, the compiler built in to the Zen Studio or Cronus Pro software, converts the script in to bytecode prior to being sent to the Cronus device.

Bytecode is an instruction set for the virtual machine (VM or software interpreter) which the Cronus runs. Inputs for controllers are sent to the VM which then modifies them according to the instructions set in the bytecode. This modified output is then sent to the console. The Virtual Machine is a hypothetical computer and its functions and architecture has been optimized specifically for the task of modifying and outputting game controller commands to a video game console.

The Cronus VM is a stack machine and has been optimized so it is able to send data to a console without delay. Providing the CPU load is kept below 80%, the Cronus CPU is able to carry out all the tasks assigned to it without delaying the output to the console. Part of the optimization process means error checks by the VM are kept to a minimum and to only what is necessary. This means it is important the programmer has a good understanding of the limitations and fundamentals of GPC when developing scripts.