08-26-2003, 03:52 PM | #1 | ||
Awaiting Further Instructions...
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Macungie, PA
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Programming question: Geek speak
A question for Marc V., Jim G., Marcus H., or any others that program for a living:
How do you handle the database aspects of your games? I refuse to use an mdb, and have researched c++ collection classes to handle the massive lists and whatnot, but would like to know how the pros do it. If you can share, I would appreciate any help in this regards. The sweetest thing would be to have a scaled down version of a SQL engine to power the data, but that would most likely require royalty fees etc. gracias |
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08-26-2003, 03:57 PM | #2 | |
Pro Rookie
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Re: Programming question: Geek speak
Quote:
Not if you use a free SQL implementation such as MySQL or Postgresql. |
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08-26-2003, 04:07 PM | #3 | |
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Macungie, PA
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Re: Re: Programming question: Geek speak
Quote:
I should have been a little more precise. If there is a product, it will be a Windows EXE and I want everything internal to the exe, no external database (more in line with the text-sims we all know and love). MySQL has a mini-engine, but it is a for-sale item. |
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08-26-2003, 04:20 PM | #4 |
Solecismic Software
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Canton, OH
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I just condense the numbers, store them in binary files, and if they're frequently used, keep them in integer arrays in RAM while the game is open to maximize speed.
I would only use a database if I needed to conduct complex sorts on a large quantity of data before using it. I'm sure there are places in FOF and TCY where a database would be useful from a purely geek perspective, but I'm still at a point where the longest delays are due to internal processing that can't be done with SQL, and with the actual display of the data. |
08-26-2003, 04:40 PM | #5 | |
This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: In Absentia
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Quote:
It's reading things like this that gives me comfort that I've chosen the proper career path. In other words...wuh?
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M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete." |
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08-26-2003, 04:42 PM | #6 |
High School Varsity
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Boston, Ma
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a) MySql is free and runs on Windows. It is quite good.
b) Microsoft SQL Server is a full-blown DB package and is expensive. c) MSDE is a scaled down version of SQL Server and is free. It has a throttle but it is good enough for even fairly large apps. |
08-26-2003, 04:46 PM | #7 | |
Lethargic Hooligan
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: hello kitty found my wallet at a big tent revival and returned it with all the cash missing
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Re: Programming question: Geek speak
Quote:
not that this is the way to go, but it a free stripped down version of sqlserver (7) http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/do...e/default.aspx
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08-26-2003, 04:47 PM | #8 |
High School Varsity
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Boston, Ma
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Oh... I missed your requirement that it be entirely self-contained.
I think you are stuck using language data types. Arrays, collections, etc. Another alternative to storing data in a binary data files might be XML. |
08-26-2003, 05:32 PM | #9 |
College Prospect
Join Date: Apr 2003
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XML is the way I am going with my game, but I am developing in .Net, and everything (at this point) is completely hosted. I don't know about storing raw XML files on a client machine... I guess if people try hard enough they will hack anything.
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"All I know is that smart women are hot. Susan Polgar beat me in 24 moves in a simultaneous exhbition. I slept with the scoresheet under my pillow." Off some dude's web site. |
08-26-2003, 09:15 PM | #10 | |
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Macungie, PA
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Quote:
thanks Jim (and the others). So you read from disk most of the time? Seems like that is a lot of disk I/O, but most of the files in the universe folder appear small. As far as the larger files, are those read in all at once, or is the data flagged where you only load portions? |
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