Map Editor Questions

As for me, I tend to favor the method that makes it easiest for the programmer. I really like types, so I make liberal use of them. Sometimes I use arrays of types, so that they can be indexed directly, but I don't often need to with the stuff I do; it's just as well to do an O(n/2) search through the list of types.

I suggest trying both (or all three, if you want to take CS_TBL's advice). Most likely, you'll probably end up with a nice mix. And you certainly will learn the differences, pros/cons, etc, which is a goal of yours, unless I'm mistaken.

As for the zoom thing, there is a graceful way. Basically, just resize the canvas. Check out this small example:

Global w=CreateWindow("Canvas Resize / Zoom", 200, 200, 400, 400, 0, 3)
Global c=CreateCanvas(0,0,ClientWidth(w),ClientHeight(w),w)

CreateTimer(60)
SetBuffer(CanvasBuffer(c))

Notify "Press mouse buttons to zoom in/out"

Repeat
	Select WaitEvent()
		Case $803 : End
		Case $201
			If EventData() = 1 Then
				zoom = zoom + 50
			Else
				zoom = zoom - 50
				If zoom < -150 Then zoom = -150 ; don't get too small
			EndIf
			SetGadgetShape(c,0-zoom,0-zoom,400+zoom*2,400+zoom*2)
		Case $4001
			Render()
	End Select
Forever

Function Render()
	;Cls ;if you want
	Color Rand(256), Rand(256), Rand(256)
	Rect(Rand(ClientWidth(c)), Rand(ClientHeight(c)), Rand(10), Rand(10), True)
	FlipCanvas(c)
End Function