Universe

File Release Notes and Changelog

Release Name: 0.1

Notes:
README

Alternative Universe 0.1
------------------------

This is the first version of the alternative version of Universe (yes, it is a 
pun as well). This server is very different in structure from the older one. 
These are the main differences:
- bidirecional communication: 
  both the server and the client can send a request. The requests are called 
  ClientRequest's and PushUpRequest's, depending on who started them.
- stateless connections: 
  easier, safer, lighter. The plan is to make a watchdog to 'ping' on clients
  every minute or so, and consider them dead if they don't respond (the 
  player's civ keeps doing what it was ordered, until the player comes back).
  This will prevent starvation in case a player drops or his Internet conn
  has been terminated.
- transaction-driven:
  all of the game's state is kept in a database (HSQL), but the objects are
  currently being accessed through Hibernate, which is a very easy JDO-like
  object-relational tool. This whole bunch of names means that if the server
  does something stupid because of some invalid situation (an invalid client 
  sending an unexpected order and the server terminating the game), the game
  is not lost, it only returns to the last turn. Of course, you still have 
  to eliminate the invalid client :-)
- single-window, except for reports: having a lot of open windows gets to my
  nerves, so I build a simple tabbed panels for the main screens. I suppose 
  the reports will still be floating windows.
- has a customizable UI theme: no scripting, for now, but may be done later.
  I don't like the standard metal look and feel for a game, but if you want,
  it's only 1 line away!
- client/server as separate programs: really separate, just like in free civ.
  The server interface needs a lot of work, though.

The project already has about 2827 lines of code (NCLOC) and 1893 lines of 
comment (COM) divided in something like 100 files. The measures were taken 
using CCCC, but if anyone know a better tool please tell me!


Things the client/server already does:
--------------------------------------
- client connect, disconnect, reconnect
- server sends a push-up to all valid players when the game has been terminated

What does this mean?
--------------------
- means that most of the infrastructure is done. There may be some bugs 
  lurking, but until I find them I'll believe they are not there.
  
What this does not mean?
------------------------
- means that there is very little of the game itself implemented. The interface
  needs work, and the requests/replies and their respective handlers need to
  be done.

To install (both client and server):
------------------------------------
Unzip the files anywhere. Don't forget the directory structure: there must be 
a lib dir on the root after unzip.


To run the server:
------------------
From the root dir of the installation:
java -jar server.jar
You must have a 1.4 JVM installed, I believe.

To enter a command, just type it at the prompt. Yyes, for now you have to type
it between the log statements. I'll change that when I have something I know
people will use. It's not that hard, it's just not a priority when the real
game is not done.
Commands accepted for now:
- create: creates a clean game and sets to accept new players
- end: ends the current game (may be in the configuration step)
- quit: closes the server, but leave the game data (will, there is still 
  some unknown thread I can't find, but avoids the server from closing)


To run the client:
------------------
java -jar client.jar
You must have a 1.4 JVM installed, I believe.


  Check the bases! The game is not ready yet...



Changes: