NEWS: Bonusdownload: MSCI Programmer's Handbook

ticaki · Post by **ticaki** » Thu, 9. Dec 04, 22:15

With the advent of X², a new aspect of playing was brought into the X games that it didn't have before - the script engine. Used by many, some parts of it it still represent a mystery to some. That was, until yesterday.

We are pleased to announce the "MSCI Programmer's Handbook". More than 120 pages of information, from the basics of scripting, to advanced topics such as processes and tasks, interrupts, signals, Artifical Life plugins, and automated script restarting. It also features a full reference section with documentation on every script command. This is a complete reference, for experienced and new alike.

A special thank you to Reven & our script team!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 00:03

This is welcome news indeed. I am sure that a lot of people out there would like to have a look at scripting but haven't had the bottle with out the support of a full reference manual ( I know that is true for myself).

I have long admired those that have walked the high wire of scripting without a net

With this we may see even more scripting ideas coming through. Anything that continues to see the X-Universe evolve is good news by me.

IvanT · Post by **IvanT** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 00:03

Without doubt, the release of MCSI will allow players the freedom, as well as the understanding to develop and continue developing their world within the X universe.

Congratulations Reven, and great work.

-IvanT

KarlHemmings · Post by **KarlHemmings** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 00:08

IvanT wrote:Without doubt, the release of MCSI will allow players the freedom, as well as the understanding to develop and continue developing their world within the X universe.

Congratulations Reven, and great work.
-IvanT

Echo that from me.

Carl Sumner · Post by **Carl Sumner** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 00:14

Thank you very much!

Ferd Harling · Post by **Ferd Harling** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 00:19

Yes, nice work indeed and at a time when ppl are looking for something new.

The_Abyss · Post by **The_Abyss** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 00:28

This is an awesome piece of work

Reven · Post by **Reven** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 00:35

Thanks everyone.

It actually started out being a tutorial on scripting flight commands (instructions:)), and sort of got out of hand.

I'm sure there are still a lot of typos and sentences that don't sound right, maybe even wrong information. Please feel free to post any corrections here. I'll maintain this post with a list of ones that have been found.

Corrections List:

Page 7, section 2.2, "here" should be "hear"

frymaster · Post by **frymaster** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 00:38

I already know (because he posted an excerpt earlier to help someone with something) that this goes into a higher level of detail and precision than is the norm; after starting to read it properly it's also a very good read! (example at the top of page 8

)

Carl Sumner · Post by **Carl Sumner** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 01:49

I just downloaded it. The Zip file exported it ok with no errors reported. But my Acrobat program choked on the pdf. It said:

"There was an error opening this document. This viewer cannot decrypt this document."

Does the pdf need a password or is my viewer trashed?

P.S., The partial pdf that was released a while ago opens ok, no problem.

Logaan · Post by **Logaan** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 01:49

Nice one, I should be able to make my new script with this (extremely simple script in theory)

Reven · Post by **Reven** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 02:28

Carl Sumner wrote:I just downloaded it. The Zip file exported it ok with no errors reported. But my Acrobat program choked on the pdf. It said:

"There was an error opening this document. This viewer cannot decrypt this document."

Does the pdf need a password or is my viewer trashed?

The pdf has an owner password, but not a user password. It is encypted, but any pdf reader that supports encryption should be able to view it without a password. The encryption only prevents changes.

What PDF viewer are you using to view it?

Carl Sumner · Post by **Carl Sumner** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 03:53

Reven wrote:
Carl Sumner wrote:I just downloaded it. The Zip file exported it ok with no errors reported. But my Acrobat program choked on the pdf.
The pdf has an owner password, but not a user password. It is encypted, but any pdf reader that supports encryption should be able to view it without a password. The encryption only prevents changes.

What PDF viewer are you using to view it?

Adobe Acrobat. But now that you mention it, I just noticed that it's V4.0 from 1999. I wonder if that might have something to do with it.

But it shows the pdf from last week ok... (MSCI_62.pdf)

Reven · Post by **Reven** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 04:14

Carl Sumner wrote: But it shows the pdf from last week ok... (MSCI_62.pdf)

That one didn't have an owner password set.

esd · Post by **esd** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 04:15

Absolutely fantastic stuff. This blows modding open to everybody!

Slocket · Post by **Slocket** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 05:38

This is nice to give us a chance at scripting since my knowledge was limited with scripting.

I want to make a simple AL Mafia Mod that simulates the NPC races 'growing' and building up new stations, defenses, and factories to compete with you based on your highest 'Trade/Combat' rank score.

Eventually, all your profits will start to be pinched; eventually you would have to eliminate the competition (thus angering the race you are in), or move on to new sectors (go west, son); or just start a feud war like in the good old days.

Of course changes to the pirate sector life, and some way to improve your relations in case you want to get back on good terms with the main races.

Maybe the offended station owner personal bounty hunter will be sent to destroy your stations at first.

Next, if you are really a pain and trouble, then the trade station and equipment dock sector police will come and try to destroy one of your stations randomly in that sector.

Lastly, if you are really getting nasty and are attacking from a sector other than that race owners sector, they may send in the 'heavy' goverment military attacks against your personal empire based on your Combat rank.

But first, one thing at a time. I will start out with a simple NPC Fab Populating Mod that is based upon your Trade rank to compete with you.

Keep it simple, work out the bugs and compatibility issues before expanding upon it. I think one thing is that mistake to do too much at one time and these giant Mods may not end up working.

pjknibbs · Post by **pjknibbs** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 08:34

Carl Sumner wrote: Adobe Acrobat. But now that you mention it, I just noticed that it's V4.0 from 1999. I wonder if that might have something to do with it.

Why don't you install version 6.0 anyway? It's not like it costs anything!

Reven · Post by **Reven** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 09:27

Adobe 6 is required if Abode's reader is used. There are alternatives to Adobe that people can also use to read the book. I know for a fact that any PDF viewing software which uses Ghostscript as a backend (GSView in Windows, gv, and ggv in Linux) can will also show the handbook fine. I don't know if versions of Ghostscript earlier than 8.14 can parse the book, but you're probably safe with 7.04 and above.

Xpdf and GPdf can also be used to read/print the book in Linux as well as Brava Viewer for Windows. The latter seems to have a problem with some of the screenshots in it though.

If anyone finds a PDF viewer that can't view the book properly, please let me know.

biena · Post by **biena** » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 11:22

Extra information

Page 87:

A Very simple script -- nut just as deadly as it is simple : think you meant and at nut

Page 107:

is rotated counterclockwise, if you rotate correctly and print, the list faces inwards. makes it a problem with printing/binding the manual

Page 115:

3 Yes Asteroid fragment left over after blowing up an asteroid with mining laser/hornet missile (ore)
4 Yes Asteroid fragment left over after blowing up an asteroid with mining laser/hornet missile (silicon)
28 Yes ---- fragment left over after blowing up an asteroid with mining laser/hornet missile (nividium)

Al · Post by Al » Fri, 10. Dec 04, 11:37

I haven't looked at it yet but this is still a great addition to X2. Giving access ot coding for the masses

Good job folks

Al

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NEWS: Bonusdownload: MSCI Programmer's Handbook

NEWS: Bonusdownload: MSCI Programmer's Handbook

MCSI Handbook

Re: MCSI Handbook