Command Line functions for Editor commands

from Elemental Forums

It would b really nice for every command available in the various editors to have a corresponding function call (or calls) available from the command line.  Even a primitive CLI would suffice.  If modders had such a tool, it would be relatively easy to randomly generate a lot of content in a parameterized fashion.  Random maps--using parameters not normally available--would be possible, but wouldn't "break" anything because the command-line functions would really just duplicate the "place forest here" command available in the GUI-based editor.  An algorith similar to that used by "Dwarf Fortress" could be used to generate maps, for exmaple.

It could be interesting, too, to apply parameter-based randomization applied to things like unit creation.

3,306 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

when you say command line, are you talking about an in-game interface (press ~ to open, for example) or are you talking about something like an external command line such as a dos-prompt.    Remember, we are talking about Python here, I'm sure you'll have a text  interface into which you can directly type code, but correct me if my vocab is wrong, in Python's case I believe it is called a "command shell" not a command line.

I really don't understand why you'd want every command available from a command line.  Once you've scripted something into the editor.... what would be the point of calling it from a command line?   I can't even think of many functions you'd put into the mod tools you COULD call from a command line (A.I script?  no... spells?   well, that would be cheating)

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Functionally, it doesn't matter per se if we can call from "outside" the editor or "inside" the editor.  If "inside" (the classic ~ prompt), it would be nice to have a lot of robustness, however (e.g. mathematical functions, data structures, etc.).  The advantage to externally-facing function calls (dare I call it an "API"?) is that modders could use Python, PERL, C++, or plain-ole' shell scripting to develop algorithms for randomization.

I'm sure the in-game map randomizer will be very good - GalCiv2's AI alone shows a strong skillset in algorithms - but modders may be able to do more: rain-shadow effects for mountains, accounting for ocean currents, etc.

This request is definitely more for the smaller, geekier crowd than for mainstream players, and possibly even mainstream modders.  :)

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

This idea is awesome.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Sounds good. I'd probably never use it, but considering that a lot of the people who play EWOM are probably going to be computer geeks anyway, it seems like it would be worth Stardock's time.

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

 

This is a good idea... someone buy Ynglaur a cookie!

Seriously great idea.

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

I'll happily accept Karma, especially since it increases my chances of getting into the Alpha.  :p

But cookies are good too, especially those snickerdoodles that are just a little bit chewy on the inside, yet slightly crispy on the outside...but I digress.