Update

Summary:

Some progress

Update

Craig Macomber 1232228754|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Recently progress has been slow, but not nonexistent. I have had much of my time used up by other projects like my college application (accepted by the way), upcoming finals, and may various other projects.

Progress wise, Tristan has made an excellent in game help viewer. His setup is far nicer than the one I hacked together in both function and appearance.
I have been looking into how the server should work. Currently we have a relational database system crudely mashed together with sqlite databases in the server app. I understand databases much better now, and I have looked at a real relational database system, I think I might know how it would let us simply the server a huge amount, while easily letting us use an virtual cluster of servers to handle larger loads. It would also let a good php developer implement some controls and stats on the web site, which would be nice.

I have also spend a bit of time playing with different development tools, and messing with open GL shaders (GLSL). That might come in useful when we redo the graphics to use something better.

The current main hold up is my stall on the planet tool. I just don't feel like ripping it apart and fixing my organizational mistake, and that is really the only reasonable option, so we just have to wait until I feel like making a large pile of shredded internals, and then fixing it. Maybe when I have more time.

At least at this point, taking some time to think about the project has helped, so the delay has been useful.

Re: Update

tbg10101 1232607154|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Congratulations on your acceptance! Where are you going?

The Help Viewer is on the SVN if anyone is interested in using it.

Re: Update

Craig Macomber 1232609879|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Thanks. I'll be attending the University of Washington.

Re: Update

Phenoca 1232776417|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Congratulations Craig.

I'll be looking at the Help Viewer as soon as I get the SVN onto my laptop.

I do know three PHP coders, one of whom should be willing to implement an online display of the server-statistics.

I had thought all databases were relational, or consisted of a similar structure? What is the function of the one which you were recently observing?

Re: Update

Craig Macomber 1232777437|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

A basic database, a set of tables, is not really relational unless you make it. There are all kinds of tasks: updating dependent rows, checking integrity etc, and I had to do all this my self. The new RealSQL server (or many other products) would be a stand alone multicore multi user database (as apposed to the built into the server single core single user (server) one I made). It also looks like it will offer scheduled tasks and automatic backups. We might even be able to get things like economy and ground combat updates in the scheduler via plugins which would further encapsulate various parts of the engine easing development. It also will support triggers apparently, which should handle all the messy dependency issues (deleting a ship needs to delete all of its nodes, resource uses, etc). Also, as a multiuser database, it could be directly accessed via php and or CGI for web stuff, and different parts of the server (or different instances of solar system servers) could all have access to shared data, like player and economy data. This means separate account creation server, master server (where every one connects) and sub servers is easy to implement. The more parts the server is in, the easier load partitioning will be, and the easier porting and updating parts will be. When loads get high, I still might opt to use more small databases like we do now, one for each active solar system because it allows for some neat things.

Re: Update

Phenoca 1239901437|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

It also will support triggers apparently,

That is great :)

Also, as a multiuser database, it could be directly accessed via php and or CGI for web stuff,

Let me check if I understand this correctly: Accessing the server from the web would include using a plugin? Would the plugin be part of the website?

This means […] sub servers are easy to implement.

This is indeed excellent.

Re: Update

Craig Macomber 1239917793|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Let me check if I understand this correctly: Accessing the server from the web would include using a plugin? Would the plugin be part of the website?

That stuff is all server side. The client sees nothing other than a regular old web site.