Formulas - modding

"set"? I don't get it. Most of the time the formula is mindnumbingly simple. such as: "= 30"

Everything after the := is evaluated in-game, and the value returned is used for the size of the component in ship design.

SpaceEmpires.net | Space Empires Wiki

I realize that you have been answered (twice allready), but this may be more (or less) helpfull.

The formula is set after this, :=

That, followed by a space, is where you "set" a "formula"
As Marhawkman has said, some are mind-numbningly simple formula of 1 to however-many digit numbers. IE: 1 to just shy of infinity

Most are not.
The second most common formula is what most non-mathematicians, non-programmers would recognize as a formula. An example:
Tonnage Structure Formula := 10 * (1 + ((Get_Empire_Tech_Level("Armor")) * 0.1)) * (1 + (([%Level%] -1) * 0.05))
Where * (asterisk) means multiply.

Remember, everything after := IS the formula, however simple it may be.

One of my favorite things, is modifying the Mineral organic and radioactive costs to a fixed number
____________________
LEGEND:

Stock : refers to Space Empires 4 or 5 as purchased, with no additional mods. Considered to "suck".
BM : short for "the Balance Mod" by Captain Kwok.
Un-named Mod, or Un-named's AI Mod : a replacement AI for stock.