[DCoder]

I have programmed an utility to check the rules.ini file for typos. So far, it's only a beta, and checks only if all entries in the [***Types]lists exist, and do they have their weapons and projectiles defined. I was wondering what other features should I add to it. So, what do You want it to be able to do? (Do NOT ask for a clone of TibEd or smth like that )

[Psycho]

sounds cool ! also add checker for particle, particle system if they r added to to the list. Also cant u make that the program automatically add all the invalid typo in the corresponding list ? and a support to remove all commented lines ?

[Kravvitz]

sweeeeeeet!!!

I was actually thinking writing a program that would check to make sure that capitolization was consistent throughout an INI file. One problem for me, however, is that I do not have sufficient skill in any progamming language to write such a program.

Here is what I was contemplating:

Modifying (or making a program very similar to) the Ini Editor 2 or the XCC INI Editor by adding
a find and replace feature and make it read in everything to the left of an equals sign ('='), that isn't a number, everything in brackets ('[]'), and everything in the lists and then comparing it to see if there was a change in capitolization and maybe even small changes in
spelling. For the lists, maybe you could have it look for all line with numbers followed by an equals sign.

I eagerly await future news about the project.

Edit: I'm curious, what programming language are you using?

[Renegade]

w00t! I want this program!

errm, would it be possible to add additional art(md).ini cross-checking? Like, even if a certain projectile is defined, the program checks if the projectile's art is added as well?

[DCoder]

Originally Posted by Psycho

add checker for particle, particle system if they r added to to the list. Also cant u make that the program automatically add all the invalid typo in the corresponding list ? and a support to remove all commented lines ?

Currently it checks InfantryTypes, VehicleTypes, AircraftTypes, BuildingTypes, SuperWeaponTypes, Warheads, ParticleSystems, Particles,
Countries for missing entries, validates (first 4 lists) attached weapons, projectiles, warheads, armors. Added a possibility to clear ALL comments.
I don't get what you mean by "add invalid typo to corresponding list". It gives you a list of all found errors in a separate window, I'm currently working to enable double-click on error to jump to it's location, should be completed today or tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Kravvitz

adding a find and replace feature
Edit: I'm curious, what programming language are you using?

F&R will be added today or tomorrow.
I'm using Delphi 6 PE as I'm pretty familiar with Pascal syntax and Delphi is built on Pascal like YR is built on TS engine

Originally Posted by Renegade

would it be possible to add additional art(md).ini cross-checking? Like, even if a certain projectile is defined, the program checks if the projectile's art is added as well?

Right now, it checks in art(md).ini for things that are defined by Image= tag, (or the entry name itself, if the Image= is missing), I think that includes projectiles.

I tested it's work speed, it took only 10 seconds to analyse TS rules+art, compared to 45 sec for Yuri... I hate EA for adding that many civilian buildings... and not completing them all... about 5 missing entries were found in the UNEDITED rulesmd.ini

Currently this util isn't publicly available, but I promise it will be as soon as all features are completed. Anybody want to beta-test it?
Next in features list:

• checking Owner, Prereq, Explosion, DebrisAnims, BuildCat, Category, HoldsWhat, BehavesLike tags (if I can figure the last two out, hope DZ's guide will help me ).
  checking Animations, Tiberiums lists, maybe others like VoxelAnims/Overlay/SmudgeTypes/etc., but I doubt it, because every extra will slow it down... and I fear that on some slower machines it may take too long with all that stuff enabled.
  features suggested by the community.

[Kravvitz]

maybe you can make a preferences section, so the user can choose what he/she wants it to check.

Please, make sure that it is compatible with Win9x.

I would be happy to beta-test it for you.

Maybe you could add an option to have it show the line numbers.

Have you used the Ini Editor 2 or the XCC INI Editor?

[Psycho]

I meant "automatically add invalid typos in the corresponding list" by that, the program can automatically find all invalid [infantrytype], [vehicletypes] etc. and then automatically add those types in the lists (infantrytypes, vehicletypes) in the serial.

[Renegade]

Yo Psycho...Infamous Parsing Bug knocking on your door...

[DCoder]

Originally Posted by Psycho

I meant "automatically add invalid typos in the corresponding list" by that, the program can automatically find all invalid [infantrytype], [vehicletypes] etc. and then automatically add those types in the lists (infantrytypes, vehicletypes) in the serial.

I don't think that is possible... how would it know if your typo is an infantryman/a vehicle/etc...? If this was possible, I think RA2 wouldn't even need these [***Types] lists, it'd build them using your suggested method

I rebuilt the testing engine, now it works turbo, but yet it can't see entries like this:
[MirageWH] ; supposed to be a heat ray
but if it's put down like this:
; supposed to be a heat ray
[MirageWH],
it will have no problems (that's a Delphi ini-parsing bug). I'm currently trying to find a workaround, as soon as that is done, I'll put it somewhere for public download.

After this utility, I'll try to help JhonnyRey on his AI project, and maybe you can suggest any more tools that would be useful to modders?

BTW, I thought this utility would be interesting to more people

[Kravvitz]

maybe we will think of more features once we have used the program some.

that parsing bug would be really annoying for this application.