Some Statements

[Deleted]

Hey Guilect,

is it possibly to write statements like "ReadByte:WriteByte" and
ReadInt:WriteInt". ReadString and WriteString would be also usefully.
Herewith, i could write a better Highscore and more. All would be a bit easier.
What do you think about it!
Peter

[Guilect]

I think that is possible.
I will look into it.

[Deleted]

Hi Guilect,

thank you, that you will look into your good Brutus2D Basic.
right now, i am starting to writing a mini game series.
I thought, it would be better when all games have a highscore
with several entries.
I think that i can buy next month a full version of brutus2D, hopefully!
Peter

[Guilect]

When first Brutus2D was developed, I envisioned the file commands as system level commands and so they exist like : FileRead, FileWrite.
And there are only a handful of such file commands.
But now I think that File should be its own object if the new commands are added.
So, commands would be like : File.Read, File. Write, File.ReadByte
This would have the side benefit of enabling the file commands to appear in the pop-up autocomplete thingy.
I can leave the existing commands so as not to break existing code.

I do have a little hesitation on how to force VBScript ( and thus Brutus2D) to read and write specific data types as all variables in VBScript are Variants, but we shall see how it goes.

As time permits I will work on this and the network bugs for U9.
Hopefully it will not be so long.

[Deleted]

Hi Guilect,

okay.
Thank you
Peter

[Guilect]

Here is what is implemented (so far?) :

File Object

METHODS:


GetPosition
SetPosition
Get/Set the current file position. This is changed
automatically when you read/write, so you do not have
to change this if you are reading/writing from beginning
to end.

OpenFile
This has to be called after you setup the filename & before
you read/write anything.

ReadLong
This reads a series of 4 bytes from the current filename,
at the current file position, and converts and returns
them to an Long.

ReadStr
This reads a string from the current filename, at the
current file position, and returns it.

ReadStrFixed(vSize As Long) As String
This reads an fixed size string from the current file, at
the current file position, and returns it. vSize is the size
of the string to read. This is useful for file headers etc.

ReadByte
This reads an byte from the current filename, at the
current file position, and returns it.

WriteLong(wLong)
This writes a long(wLong) as 4 bytes to the
current filename, at the current file position.

WriteStr(wString)
This writes a string to the current filename, at the
current file position. The string cannot be longer
than 255 characters.

WriteStrFixed(wString)
This writes a fixed size string to the current
filename, at the current file position. The string
can be as long as you want.

WriteByte(wByte)
This writes an byte to the current filename, at the
current file position.

---

Here is a sample B2D program
' Test of the File object

' write stuff to a file
File.OpenFile "test.txt"

File.WriteStr "foobar"
File.writeByte(55)
File.Writelong(123456)

File.CloseFile

' Now for a test read it back
dim myString, myByte, myLong      
             
File.OpenFile "test.txt"              

myString = File.readStr()
myByte   = File.readbyte()
myLong   = File.readLong()
                         
File.CloseFile
                         
msgbox CStr(myByte) + vbCrLF + CStr(myLong),, myString

[Deleted]

Hi Guilect,

this is what i wanted !
This looks good, so far.
when does it come out ?

Thank many Guilect.
Peter

[matthew]

Yeah, they're a lot like the file operations in Basic4GL.

I'm sure people are going to find them useful.

[u9]

Definitely good additions. I'm not sure, but is there (or shouldn't there be) a get file length/size, so that one can go to the end of the file to write?

And what happens if you go to e.g. position 0 and write? it starts overwriting? And is everyting after that position erased? I am wondering if it is possible to shorten a file

[Guilect]

B2D already has the command system.FileSize().
I will roll the existing file related commands into the new File object.

FYI, position starts at 1.

As for what happens if you overwrite, you will have to tell me what you find out.

[Guilect]

To the new File Object commands I have copied in the existing commands :
Exists
Size
WriteAll
ReadAll
Delete
Copy
Append

Now I have to write up the help files for these commands.
Write them in the HTML editor then remember how to use the MS help compiler (again).
(For those out there thinking of writing a help file for some software you have written, might I suggest just about any other piece of software other than the MS help compiler).

When will this be done...
Let me put it this way, I find writing help documentation about as much fun as watching paint dry.
I will try to get it done soon.
If you need these file commands sooner than I can get the help docs done, let me know and I can always provide the necessary files ahead of time.

[Deleted]

Hi Guilect,

do not hurry up!
I can wait.
Thank you very much.
Peter

[matthew]

Apr 25, 2008 18:18:24 GMT -5 Guilect said:

Now I have to write up the help files for these commands.
Write them in the HTML editor then remember how to use the MS help compiler (again).
(For those out there thinking of writing a help file for some software you have written, might I suggest just about any other piece of software other than the MS help compiler).

I tried creating a help file using the MS help compiler once & found it very tedious.

If I recall, I had to type everything out in Wordpad first.

Now I use this program, it's an Open Source WYSIWYG program, just type out the text & hit the compile button.

You can even import old .hpi & .hlp files.

[Guilect]

Matthew thanks for the info on the HelpMaker. Alas it cannot import a .hhp MS help project, which is what B2D's help is in. This program would be good for someone starting fresh.

Small update:
Done adding the new file commands to the help.
Want to see if I can find a fix for U9's network question.
Hope to have something out by this time next week. (sooner of course if possible)(later is also a possiblity

[Deleted]

Hi Guilect,

great !!
i am working with this new system
and i have no problems therewith
It is fantastic !!
thank you for the good work.

ps.
where can i get a fullversion ??
Peter