Ok TAM needs someone who understands Python and C++. That's what I'm mainly looking for now...

Since the SDK sourcecode of TAM was "lost", no further changes could be made in C++ without starting over from scratch with it, but it will be needed for the Warlords version.

Mainly we need Python functions now, that would control the Interface, and we also need to "refine" the Merchant ships/barge behavior.

So if anyone is interested, join us!

I'll start a recruitment thread at the main C&C forum if nothing comes up here. How was the code lost?

I'll start a recruitment thread at the main C&C forum if nothing comes up here. How was the code lost?


I couldn't say how it was lost... All I know is that the people that worked on the SDK don't have the sourcecode for it anymore...

Not even Thamis has any of it? Man, this is a setback if you have to start off from scratch, I wish I could help, I just know nothing about python or c++. I was really looking forward to a warlords version, but at least now you can add more stuff like ubs until then.

What part of TAM does the SDK control? I never knew what the SDK does for TAM. Does it make the AI more aggressive?

The SDK contains the source code files for CvGameCoreDLL.dll and controls basically everything except the graphics.

You should find a version of CvGameCoreDLL.dll in your Mods\The Ancient Mediterranean\Assets folder. What's the most recent date and size you can find (I'm seeing July 19/2006 and 3620 kb)?

Nope Thamis didn't have it, neither did I.

As to what it controls, it's mostly the way the AI behaves, and, I think, some other more minor stuff. I'm actually waiting for replies on the subject by those who worked on TAM's SDK.


The .DLL gamecore file isn't lost, it's its sourcecode that can't be found.

So we're left with 2 choices: re-do what was done on the SDK, or forget about any possible changes involcing gamecore.dll from now on.

This also will delay a lot the release of a Warlords TAM, since I have no means of knowing what exactly needs to be done with C++...

I highly recommend to setup an account on sourceforge.net to share (via CVS) and backup all the programming efforts made for TAM. Another benefit would be that changes to the source made by a single committer can be easily rolled back as CVS implements a versioning system as well.

If you need help or info on setting up such an account and how to maintain a good source sharing system, just pm me.
Furthermore it needs to be discussed whether such an open source enabling system may be legally used for the Civ4 SDK. If not you should setup Subversion or CVS on your own. I've a lot of knowledge with the latter, so contact me if you need to on this either.

A pity that TAM now has to suffer from the lack of such important programming infrastructure :sad:

We have our group where all files were shared, and our own ftp also... Everything we did was, and still is, in there, from art to conceptual documents... The only thing that was never saved is the sourcecode, sadly... I'm trying to get in touch with the people who worked on it, and got many posts on the TAMdev group describing what was done... But I have really tiny knowledge in C++, so I can't "re-do" what was done...

PM me though, because I'd like to know more about CVS;) just so things like this don't happen again;)

I have knowledge in python (and a bit in C++) and was actually looking to get started helping with a mod here on the forums. Just let me know what I can do to help.

Thats wonderful stilleto, I am sure Laurino will be pleased, I think all you have to do is make the AI a lot more aggressive. And by the way Laurino, have you thought about adding Blake's New AI mod? Apparently it makes the AI a lot smarter about wars and cities and whatnot.

Oh shoot, the AI is probably the worst place to put me. In order for me to make the computer have a well thought out war, that means I have to understand warfare also. And I'm not so good at that. If I have specific things the AI does baddly though (War-wise) then I could work on it.

Python is good! Most of the things left to do are Python related;) There's not only AI to work on. Actually, the AI for TAM has already been improved a lot. I also haven't considered including the AI mod, as TAM behaves often differently than in Vanilla, and because I can't combine it with TAM's sdk, unless I have the sourcecode...

I am C++ coder but have not worked with any civ mods. So if you need someone for the C++ let me know i can try to help to what extent i am not sure. Also I am starting a new job in a week so might be slow but i am very willing to help.

Any news to report?

You should find a version of CvGameCoreDLL.dll in your Mods\The Ancient Mediterranean\Assets folder. What's the most recent date and size you can find (I'm seeing July 19/2006 and 3620 kb)?


Laurino:
The .DLL gamecore file isn't lost, it's its sourcecode that can't be found.


The 'sourcecode' (the *.cpp and *.h files that people write) is compiled and used to build CvGameCoreDLL.dll. This has to be done every time you change something in a source file in order for that change to have an effect in the game. If your version of CvGameCoreDLL.dll is dated July 19/2006, that means that no changes to the source code have been made since then (if at all).

The only news to report is that the sourcefiles were indeed lost... Most of the work was related to AI behavior. I'll communicate with the people who worked on it, so TAM Warlords work can start, but it means I can't add SDK modifications to the Vanilla version of TAM.

How were the files losts?

If they were simply deleted from the system, the files can be recovered. In fact, if they ever were stored on the hard drive at some point, and you haven't done a full format, then they might be recoverable. Technically, if you have done several full formats to the drive by now or even damaged the drive, they should still be recoverable by a data recovery center. A data recovery center can recover HD data up to around 7 times that is has been written over.

Sqype and Keith worked on the SDK. I'll check with them to see if they formatted or not.

Without intending to beat anyone up, I must say poor practices to not save your code often and redundantly (shakes finger at coders)...now to sooth those that I just jabbed at, I'd be more than happy to help re-create your SDK mods. I'm better at C++ than Python but I'm happy to take a stab at that too.

I'll need a list of what you want changed or added, the more detail the better. It is possible to decompile your .DLL as well /grin. And I'll have to find time to play your mod in it's current form. Give me a few days to finish up the next version of my own mod.

Cheers

Nice! You should try to get in touch with Shqype, as him and Keith did the C++ work. They could certainly explain to you what they did.;)