NWNX on a single player module

[Primogenitor]

I am mid-way through developing a single player & LAN module based on the gameplay of the old roguelike games such as Angband. An early version is up on the vault at http://nwvault.ign.com/Files/modules/data/1074366809343.shtml

However, I am going to have to force the module to be run using NWNX for a couple of reasons (DB access with SQL and Letoscript). This will mainly be achieved by booting players from the module if its not setup correctly (GetPlayerCDKey() == "", Letoscript cant get the players name, DB doesnt work). What would be the best way to distribute such a setup? Would it be possible (given licensing and general good practice) to combine it all into a single download (i.e. mod+haks+NWNX+MySQL+Letoscript.dll)? What about possibly using some sort of auto-install package to put (at least some) files in the right place? Or would it be better to just provide links and have players download and install everything themselves (which would put a lot of people off if I have links leading to dozens of different sites)?

Also, I am thinking of turning the module into almost a SP PW given that the module is likely to end up being split over several different .mod files. This is due to the size of the module because of the number of areas, see http://nwn.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=405068&forum=47 for details) Obviously, NWNX will help to no end in this situation, which is yet another reason for using it

[Papillon]

I have mixed feelings on using NWNX with single player modules, or to be more specific, with modules that the end users needs to install instead of just connect to. Not because I do not like the idea - mind you. Just because that involves a lot of details that need to be taken care of.

With that said, here is what I would do:

1) Create a fool proof installer with e.g. the Nullsoft installer. It should install everything and ask almost no details

2) Try to find a database that is less complicated than MySQL. There are quite a few embedded database that need to external process, maybe there are some with an ODBC driver as well. Maybe even consider MSDE, since that is what Microsoft impositions on their users as well.

3) As long as the stuff your packaging is licensed under the GPL, you should have no problems, but be prepared to hand out the source code to everything on request.
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Papillon

[Manuel]

Go with SQLite. It is 100% freely distributable (even with commercial apps), is great with embedded type programs, has a very small footprint and requires no setup.

http://www.sqlite.org/
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I only know enough to be dangerous.

[Primogenitor]

Thank you papillon, that installer should be exactly what I need.

Manuel, thank you for the link, it does look very good. However, I am a scripter, not a developer, so I have no idea how to use it. Have you got any advice?

[Papillon]

SQLite ?

an idea comes to mind....
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Papillon

[Primogenitor]

Your not thinking what I think your thinking, are you?

[Manuel]

Of course he is...

That would make NWNX setup virtually fool proof.

@Primo
Install SQLite the normal way then use the ODBC connection from NWNX to the database. You will need the SQLite ODBC driver which is here: http://www.ch-werner.de/sqliteodbc/

That is, until Jeroen or Pap release a direct driver. With it's C/C++ APIs, this should be pretty damned easy.

Some things to note about SQLite, blob support is ONLY in version 3 or above (RCO/SCO). In general, all data types are treated the same. The database does NOT enforce strict types on columns!
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I only know enough to be dangerous.

[JeroenB]

Ow .. no

Pap.. your not going to do it! You are NOT going to do it!

Yesterday you complained we release to much

[Manuel]

[Liberty Valance]

as long as you don't force it upon us, i think offering an SQLite package option would be a good idea for more novice users out there

if y'all don't have the time, if you just show me how to set up SQLite (or maybe i could get motivated enough to look it up myself), i can write a NSIS installer - i've done the installer for the Generations Arena mod for Q3 since version 0.99b (we're now at 0.99e), and the team's been happy with it
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Wirehead Studios

[Primogenitor]

Wow, that was so simple its shocking. Thank you! I have SQLite setup and running, though I am using the NWNX2 and plugins from the vault because nwnx_leto.dll doesnt work with the latest version yet.

As for setup (on a windows XP machine) it couldn't be easier. Heres how I did it:

1. Get the SQLite file, http://www.sqlite.org/sqlite-3_0_8.zip

2. Get the ODBC SQLitedriver, http://www.ch-werner.de/sqliteodbc/sqliteodbc.exe

3. Extract the sqlite3.exe file from the sqlite-3_0_8.zip and put in in your nwn root.

4. Run sqlite3.exe with the command sqlite3.exe database\nwn.db (either from a shortcut to it, from a batch file, or from the command prompt)

5. Enter the SQL command:

CREATE TABLE pwdata (player varchar(64) default NULL, tag varchar(64) default NULL, name varchar(64) default NULL, val text, expire int(11) default NULL, last timestamp(14) NOT NULL, KEY idx (player,tag,name));

and press enter (you cant use keyboard shortcuts to paste, but you can right click and paste) You may get an error (I did), ignore it. Im sure it means something, but it didnt stop it working for me.

6. Check you now have a file named nwn.db in your NWN database directory. Thats the database file to use.

7. Go to Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Data Sources (ODBC) -> System DSN tab (second from left) -> Add... (button right hand side at the top) -> Scroll down to the bottom and select "SQLite ODBC Driver" (see note at top of post about SQLite 3 driver) -> Finish -> enter NWN as the data source name -> press the browse button and select the nwn.db file you created earlier -> OK -> OK

8. Run NWNX2.exe and load the aps_demo module. Then follow the instructions on the signs to make sure its all connected up properly.

[Primogenitor]

I tried the SQLite 3 ODBC Driver, but that didnt seem to work with either version. The log for the old NWNX said:

[JeroenB]

I suppose SQL Lite doesn't support the 'on update' part in the create table. This isn't really required functionality so you could remove that part and try the combo "SQL Lite ODBC driver and the latest NWNX version" again.

[Papillon]

Or you could wait till tomorrow and forget about the ODBC driver entirely
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Papillon

[Acrodania]

I think one part of you problems is:

CREATE TABLE pwdata (player varchar(64) NOT NULL default '~',tag varchar(64) NOT NULL default '~',name varchar(64) NOT NULL default '~',val text,expire int(11) default NULL,last timestamp NOT NULL default CURRENT_TIMESTAMP on update CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,PRIMARY KEY (player,tag,name)) ENGINE=MyISAM DEFAULT CHARSET=latin1;

Look at the ENGINE statement... MyISAM==SPecific MySQL format. The table create fails because you are passing a parameter SQL lite doesn't understand...