Feature suggestion: universe data

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:07 am

Looking at the universe data file and thinking about avoiding the universe data error I have a suggestion.:

would it be possible to add a line as the second line of of text something like

'version: 123456

This would allow the launcher app to easily check which version a user currently has installed, and help to avoid one of the major player issues that I've created with the launcher and dynamic universe. it would also offer user a chance to see which universe they had at a glance

[Edited on 7-1-2009 by verbosity]

Post by **Vice** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 4:29 pm

That can be done now to a custom universe, if you like. Just mark it with a ' and you can add any text you like to it to help keep track. If the program does not detect that line, then it will know the player is using the default universe. If the line is present, it can retrieve it and analyze which version of the file it's using.

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 4:41 pm

Originally posted by Vice
That can be done now to a custom universe, if you like. Just mark it with a ' and you can add any text you like to it to help keep track. If the program does not detect that line, then it will know the player is using the default universe. If the line is present, it can retrieve it and analyze which version of the file it's using.

Yeah I'm planning on doing that anyway, but it would be a useful addition to the standard universe, seeing as it has changed over time, and may well change again....

Post by **Marvin** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 4:56 pm

Originally posted by Vice
That can be done now to a custom universe, if you like. Just mark it with a ' and you can add any text you like to it to help keep track. If the program does not detect that line, then it will know the player is using the default universe. If the line is present, it can retrieve it and analyze which version of the file it's using.

Could you give an example, please. (I'm of the "DOS commands" generation and my old DOS manual always had examples ... else, I never would've gotten anywhere with DOS programming.)

Post by **Vice** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 5:02 pm

It's easier for me to have the game keep track of the version internally through other means that I don't have to remember to update

Things like file size and date are automatic. Using the date/time would be a good way to manage it externally as well, using that value as the version number displayed in a program (07.01.09 for example).

Could you give an example, please. (I'm of the "DOS commands" generation and my old DOS manual always had examples ... else, I never would've gotten anywhere with DOS programming.)

Sure:

' V1.0
' Version 1.0
' Version 07.01.09

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 5:05 pm

beginning of the standard universe

' Universe Data File

' **************************************** Sapphire system

-Local Nebula Backdrop And Reputation
NebBackXLow=-400
.....................................

my suggestion :

' Universe Data File
'version:1.108
' **************************************** Sapphire system

-Local Nebula Backdrop And Reputation
NebBackXLow=-400
.....................................

I was thinking about it being as simple as the latest version, each time you update the universe file, but I've already got another solution up my sleeve anyways ( just this was easiest for me, and you know how I love to harass you

)

[Edited on 7-1-2009 by verbosity]

Post by **Marvin** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 5:22 pm

Originally posted by Vice
Could you give an example, please. (I'm of the "DOS commands" generation and my old DOS manual always had examples ... else, I never would've gotten anywhere with DOS programming.)
Sure:

' V1.0
' Version 1.0
' Version 07.01.09

LOL. I'm really glad you weren't writing the DOS manuals.