Author: Amir Ban
Date: 08:06:30 09/13/98
Go up one level in this thread
On September 12, 1998 at 13:22:34, Robert Hyatt wrote: > >Again I'm not blaming *you* for anything. You simply wrote something for >windows that remained compatible with something that works on DOS. The >"protocol" you chose to be compatible with is, however, still ugly. It has >too many missing things. Requires a oddball move format (xboard lets you >specify SAN or coordinate-algebraic as you wish), and so forth. *none* of >which was your fault. So don't take my criticism of auto232 as a knock on >you at all. It is a knock on the "protocol" that is simply lousy... > > Bob, This "protocol" that you mention is the auto232 protocol. This "protocol" enables many users to "play" many "games" between "programs" that "support" it. Among other things, it is responsible for most games on the SSDF "rating" "list". This protocol is not without merit. For one it depends on serial interface only, the simplest and most universal communication. (No, auto232 is not even remotely dependent on DOS or Windows). Another merit is that people like Stefan have already done most of the work and are giving everyone the code for free. Its greatest merit, though, is that it already exists and is already supported on 20 or so different programs. Which means that you can easily join into the club and be able to play with everybody else. The point in your criticism of the protocol is lost on me. Who cares about the move format, or if it supports SAN or whatever ? As long is it's what the protocol requires ... Sure you can "improve" it (I think you are really talking about programming taste and style), but the result will be that no other program will understand you, because you are not following the protocol, which means you will not be able to play games, which is *all* we wanted to achieve here. Perhaps you will be in a better position to criticize the format and to suggest revisions *after* you've implemented it and understood the implications in changing the way 20 programs behave (some of them 6 years old or more. What do you think are the odds of getting a revised version of Mephisto Genius 2 ?). Amir
This page took 0.01 seconds to execute
Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700
Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.