Tips From a Firaxian on Modding XML and Python

Jon Shafer · Oct 29, 2005, 06:33 PM

Hey guys, just wanted to give you all a heads up on some modding stuff.

Changing the XML and Python is very powerful and can be VERY rewarding. You can do a lot with it, but you have to be very careful.

My advice, and please heed it well:

Test after every change and make many backups!

It is very easy to mess something up and spend hours trying to figure out what is wrong. If you only make SMALL changes and verify those work and keep backups you can avoid such issues from coming up.

It's easy to say to oneself "oh, it's just a few changes, it should work" - and end up trying to fix a crash for hours. It could be something as simple as a typo, but if you make a lot of changes before testing you'll never know.

Anyways, just giving a bit of advice to you guys. I'd rather you not have to learn this sort of thing the hard way like I and others have.

Now go wild.

Jecrell · Oct 29, 2005, 07:21 PM

Yes sir, Yes sir!
*salutes*

Harrier · Oct 29, 2005, 07:45 PM

I am glad you posted this message Trip.

My worst fear for Civ4 is that lots of people -even trying simple changes, screw up their game. Because they have the tools but not the knowledge or experience to do what they want.

I have been programming since the 70s. in different languages - but still make mistakes - but at least (as you mentioned) I can back track and then correct them. Of course sometimes it takes longer than others.

WildWeazel · Oct 29, 2005, 09:52 PM

I learned this one the hard way. It won't happen this time around.

amirsan · Oct 29, 2005, 10:45 PM

Thanks for the tips Trip!

Gojira54 · Oct 30, 2005, 08:41 AM

Tis a golden rule of programming, this tip is!

Congrats on the Firaxis hiring, Trip! I had no idea until Civ4 shipped to my door that that is where you had dissappeared to.

Oct 29, 2005, 06:33 PM	#1
Jon Shafer Conifer Games President Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,049	Tips From a Firaxian on Modding XML and Python Hey guys, just wanted to give you all a heads up on some modding stuff. Changing the XML and Python is very powerful and can be VERY rewarding. You can do a lot with it, but you have to be very careful. My advice, and please heed it well: Test after every change and make many backups! It is very easy to mess something up and spend hours trying to figure out what is wrong. If you only make SMALL changes and verify those work and keep backups you can avoid such issues from coming up. It's easy to say to oneself "oh, it's just a few changes, it should work" - and end up trying to fix a crash for hours. It could be something as simple as a typo, but if you make a lot of changes before testing you'll never know. Anyways, just giving a bit of advice to you guys. I'd rather you not have to learn this sort of thing the hard way like I and others have. Now go wild. __________________ Check out At the Gates, my new 4X game!

Oct 29, 2005, 07:21 PM	#2
Jecrell Ruled: Civ3 - Civ5 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: California, USA Posts: 709	Yes sir, Yes sir! salutes __________________ “The man who fights too long against dragons becomes a dragon himself” Friedrich Nietzsche

Oct 29, 2005, 09:52 PM	#4
WildWeazel Maker of Worlds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: %CIV3%\Conquests\Scenarios\ Posts: 6,689 Images: 11	I learned this one the hard way. It won't happen this time around. __________________ Civilization + Minecraft = CIVCRAFT 2.0 Don't have Conquests? Let me help you out. MOD \| FOLD \| BLOG \| TWEET

Oct 30, 2005, 08:41 AM	#6
Gojira54 The folly of Man Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Monster Island black-sand beaches Posts: 1,855	Tis a golden rule of programming, this tip is! Congrats on the Firaxis hiring, Trip! I had no idea until Civ4 shipped to my door that that is where you had dissappeared to. __________________ *Modzilla!:* CFC Thread \| Main Forum \| CFC Social Group \| Facebook Page Civ3 Resources: My latest collection (462) \| Halloween \| Thanksgiving Civ3 Maps: Hawaii180(2006) \| Orange County, CA \| Earth Reborn \| Hawaii362(2013) Civ3 Unfinished Scenarios: WW4 and The New Civil War - Formerly Amesjustin -

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Oct 29, 2005, 07:45 PM	#3
Harrier King Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: UK Posts: 874	I am glad you posted this message Trip. My worst fear for Civ4 is that lots of people -even trying simple changes, screw up their game. Because they have the tools but not the knowledge or experience to do what they want. I have been programming since the 70s. in different languages - but still make mistakes - but at least (as you mentioned) I can back track and then correct them. Of course sometimes it takes longer than others.

Oct 29, 2005, 10:45 PM	#5
amirsan King of all Kings Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NYC to Connectcut... Posts: 6,529	Thanks for the tips Trip!

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