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Subject: For engine authors, end-of-file on input

Author: Fabien Letouzey

Date: 04:08:19 04/13/04



Hello,

I have a request for all engine authors.  Please let the engine quit
when end-of-file is read on input.  This applies to xboard, UCI and
even console engines.

I know the engine is supposed to receive "quit" first in both xboard
and UCI, but the interface (whether graphical or not) might crash or
get killed or whatever.  If end-of-file is received, how are you going
to get new commands???

I guess most engines use fgets() to read input, just test the return
value for NULL.  Technically is could be an error or end-of-file then,
you can use ferror() and feof() if you wish to distinguish.  If you
use read() or the like then 0 means EOF was reached.

For testing: On Unices EOF can be sent in a console by pressing
ctrl-D.  I think ctrl-Z does the same thing in a Windows console.

If only one author decides to make the change this post will have been
useful!  This will make life easier for interface developpers and many
many users!!!

Thanks in advance,

Fabien.




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