As said in my post, I'm aware it can be done, and I have no problems doing it, but let's count with me, shall we?
Here's some example code useing a "target" function:
Code:
1) action TheTarget
2) {
3) TargEnt = me;
4) }
5) action Player
6) {
7) player = me;
8) player.target = TargEnt;
9) }
That would be 9 lines of code.
Now let's lay out your code in the same manner:
Code:
1) define spot_track, skill51;
2) define target, skill1;
3) function spot(ent)
4) {
5) if (ent == null)
6) {
7) my.spot_track = 0;
8) my.target = null;
9) return;
10) }
11) my.target = handle(ent);
12) my.spot_track ++;
13) while (my.spot_track == 1)
14) {
15) if (my.target != null)
16) {
17) you = ptr_for_handle(my.target);
18) vec_set(temp.x, you.x);
19) vec_sub(temp.x, my.x);
20) vec_to_angle(my.pan, temp.x);
21) }
22) wait(1);
23) }
24)}
24 lines of code. Sure, there is a difference. But it's also about the EASE in which things are done for the end user. Making a panel in WED that then allows simple target selecting would be a fantastic boon for new users.