Status of variants?

[CJNyfalt]

Checking what I have done before, I found out that the most recent things I did was a second (? at least) try at Anglib, some tinkering with Oangband and the variant I started from Sangband. (There is still older stuff that I have yet to check.)

Now, my thought on those three projects:
- Anglib will be thrown away, and I will try to support AngbandBase instead. I am just happy that the idea has taken root, and relieved that I don't have to do everything.

- Oangband tweaks. They are small. They enhances gameplay for me. I am not willing to become Oangband maintainer. I think that Oangband should be maintained. I consider starting a discussion thread about the future of Oangband.

- Sangband, and my own variant. I have yet to review my code to consider if I should start over taking the best ideas, or continue, and if I start over should I start from latest Leon version or latest Joshua version. I would like to see the best UI stuff from S and V merged together.

Right now I am a bit unsure about how to proceed.

[d_m]

Well, I have my doubts but we can only hope that I or someone else is able to.

I am willing to try to get this working.

It would be great if there was a Term-type abstraction for dialogs in Angband that could be mapped to either real dialogs (Windows, OSX), pseudo-dialogs (SDL) or just drawn directly on Term-0 (GCU). I think Takkaria's crazy UI overhaul would allow this, but is probably years away.

[CJNyfalt]

I am willing to try to get this working.

It would be great if there was a Term-type abstraction for dialogs in Angband that could be mapped to either real dialogs (Windows, OSX), pseudo-dialogs (SDL) or just drawn directly on Term-0 (GCU). I think Takkaria's crazy UI overhaul would allow this, but is probably years away.

Well, I tried to get something done, and progressed a bit. Maybe you can use what I have? There is still errors that prevents compiling.
At least the following needs some kind of fix: race_info, character_loaded, player_wipe, center_string, display_width, rogue_like_commands and process_player_name.

Here is the diff:

Index: savefile.c
===================================================================
--- savefile.c	(revision 5)
+++ savefile.c	(working copy)
@@ -558,3 +558,494 @@
 	/* Oops */
 	return (FALSE);
 }
+
+
+/**************************************************************/
+/*                                                            */
+/*                  Savefile Management Code                  */
+/*                                                            */
+/**************************************************************/
+
+
+/*
+ * Temporary storage of savefile paths, descriptions, and dead/alive status.
+ */
+#define DESC_LEN 256
+
+char savefile_names[46][40];
+char savefile_desc[46][DESC_LEN];
+bool savefile_alive[46];
+
+/*
+ * Read the savefile record.  -DG-
+ */
+static int load_savefile_names(void)
+{
+	char buf[1024];
+	char tmp[50];
+	int max = 0;
+	int fd;
+	ang_file *fff;
+
+	/* Build the filename */
+#ifdef SAVEFILE_USE_UID
+	(void)strnfmt(tmp, sizeof(tmp), "user.%d.svg", player_uid);
+#else
+	(void)strnfmt(tmp, sizeof(tmp), "global.svg");
+#endif /* SAVEFILE_USE_UID */
+
+	/* Attempt to load the savefile record */
+	if (path_build(buf, sizeof(buf), ANGBAND_DIR_SAVE, tmp)) return (0);
+
+	/* Grab permissions */
+	safe_setuid_grab();
+
+	/* Read the file */
+	fff = file_open(buf, MODE_READ, FTYPE_TEXT);
+
+	/* Drop permissions */
+	safe_setuid_drop();
+
+	/* Failure */
+	if (!fff) return (0);
+
+	/* Parse the savefile record */
+	while (0 < file_read(fff, buf, sizeof(buf)))
+	{
+		int i = 1;
+
+		/* Read "dead/alive" */
+		if      (buf[0] == '0') savefile_alive[max] = FALSE;
+		else if (buf[0] == '1') savefile_alive[max] = TRUE;
+
+		/* Read the savefile name */
+		for (i = 1;; i++)
+		{
+			/* Build path */
+			if (buf[i] != '@') savefile_names[max][i - 1] = buf[i];
+			else
+			{
+				/* Terminate */
+				savefile_names[max][i - 1] = '\0';
+				break;
+			}
+		}
+
+		/* Skip the '@' */
+		i++;
+
+		/* Read the character description */
+		(void)strnfmt(savefile_desc[max], sizeof(savefile_desc[max]), buf + i);
+
+		/* Append user ID to filename if necessary */
+#ifdef SAVEFILE_USE_UID
+		(void)strnfmt(tmp, sizeof(tmp),"%d.%s", player_uid, savefile_names[max]);
+#else
+		(void)strnfmt(tmp, sizeof(tmp), "%s", savefile_names[max]);
+#endif
+
+		/* Confirm that file still exists */
+		(void)path_build(buf, sizeof(buf), ANGBAND_DIR_SAVE, tmp);
+
+		/* Grab permissions */
+		safe_setuid_grab();
+
+		/* Check for file */
+		fd = file_exists(buf);
+
+		/* Drop permissions */
+		safe_setuid_drop();
+
+		/* File exists */
+		if (fd >= 0)
+		{
+			/* Increment file count, go to next record */
+			max++;
+		}
+	}
+
+	/* Close the savefile record */
+	(void)file_close(fff);
+
+	/* Return number of valid savefiles */
+	return (max);
+}
+
+
+/*
+ * Write the savefile record.  -DG-
+ */
+void save_savefile_names(void)
+{
+	char buf[1024];
+	char tmp[DESC_LEN];
+	char name[DESC_LEN];
+	int i;
+	ang_file *fff;
+
+
+	/* Load existing savefile records */
+	int max = load_savefile_names();
+
+	/* Build the filename - use user index if necessary */
+#ifdef SAVEFILE_USE_UID
+	(void)strnfmt(tmp, sizeof(tmp),"user.%d.svg", player_uid);
+#else
+	(void)strnfmt(tmp, sizeof(tmp), "global.svg");
+#endif /* SAVEFILE_USE_UID */
+
+	(void)path_build(buf, sizeof(buf), ANGBAND_DIR_SAVE, tmp);
+
+	/* Read the file */
+	fff = file_open(buf, MODE_WRITE, FTYPE_TEXT);
+
+	/* Failure */
+	if (!fff) return;
+
+
+	/* Copy character name to a rewriteable string */
+	(void)my_strcpy(name, op_ptr->full_name, sizeof(name));
+
+	/* Add Latin-1 encodes */
+/*	xstr_encode(name, sizeof(name)); */
+
+	/* Save information about the current character savefile */
+	file_putf(fff, "%c%s@%s, the %s is %s\n", ((p_ptr->is_dead)? '0' : '1'),
+		op_ptr->base_name, name, race_info[p_ptr->prace].title,
+		(!p_ptr->is_dead)?"alive":"dead");
+
+	/* Rewrite all other savefile records - do not exceed 46 records */
+	for (i = 0; i < MIN(max, 45); i++)
+	{
+		/* Do not record the current savefile more than once */
+		if (!strcmp(savefile_names[i], op_ptr->base_name)) continue;
+
+		/* Write a savefile record */
+		file_putf(fff, "%c%s@%s\n", (savefile_alive[i])?'1':'0',
+			savefile_names[i], savefile_desc[i]);
+	}
+
+	/* Close */
+	(void)file_close(fff);
+}
+
+
+/*
+ * Interact with the savefile management screen.  -DG-
+ */
+static bool savefile_menu(void)
+{
+	int k, sel, max;
+
+	int i;
+
+	byte x, y;
+
+	char buf[256];
+
+	char ind;
+
+	/* No savefile has been loaded yet */
+	character_loaded = FALSE;
+
+	/* Wipe the player */
+	player_wipe(TRUE);
+
+	/* Load savefile records, leave room for two miscellaneous menu choices */
+	max = load_savefile_names() + 2;
+
+	/* Highlight the most recent savefile, or "create new character" */
+	if (max > 2) sel = 2;
+	else         sel = 0;
+
+
+	/* Clear screen */
+	(void)Term_clear();
+
+	/* Interact with the menu */
+	while (TRUE)
+	{
+		/* Build a header, center it */
+		center_string(buf, sizeof(buf),
+			format("Welcome to %s.  To play you will need a character.", VERSION_NAME),
+			display_width());
+
+		/* Display the header */
+		c_put_str(TERM_L_BLUE, buf, 1, 1);
+
+		/* Show available commands */
+		c_put_str(TERM_L_BLUE, "  8/2/4/6) Movement keys            RETURN) Select",
+			22, 11);
+		c_put_str(TERM_L_BLUE, format("Backspace) Delete a savefile           ESC) Exit %s",
+			VERSION_NAME), 23, 11);
+
+		/* Display the menu choices */
+		for (i = 0; i < max; i++)
+		{
+			ind = I2A(i % 26);
+			if (i >= 26) ind = my_toupper(ind);
+
+			/* Get text for this menu option */
+			if      (i == 0) (void)strnfmt(buf, sizeof(buf), "%c) New Character", ind);
+			else if (i == 1) (void)strnfmt(buf, sizeof(buf), "%c) Load Savefile", ind);
+			else             (void)strnfmt(buf, sizeof(buf), "%c) %s", ind, savefile_names[i - 2]);
+
+			/* Display this menu option */
+			y = 6 + (i / 4);
+			x = 20 * (i % 4) + 1;
+			c_put_str(((sel == i) ? TERM_L_BLUE : TERM_WHITE), buf, y, x);
+
+			/* This menu choice is selected */
+			if (sel == i)
+			{
+				/* Load an existing savefile in the list */
+				if (i >= 2)
+				{
+					/* Color depending on dead or alive */
+					int attr = ((savefile_alive[i - 2]) ? TERM_L_GREEN : TERM_L_RED);
+
+					c_prt(attr, format("%s", savefile_desc[i - 2]), 4, 1);
+				}
+
+				/* Load an existing savefile not in the list */
+				else if (i == 1)
+				{
+					c_prt(TERM_WHITE, "Load an existing savefile not in the list", 4, 1);
+				}
+
+				/* Create a new character */
+				else
+				{
+					c_prt(TERM_WHITE, "Create a new character", 4, 1);
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
+		y = 6 + (sel / 4);
+		x = 20 * (sel % 4) + 1;
+
+		/* Move the cursor to the letter of the selection */
+		(void)Term_gotoxy(x, y);
+
+		/* Get response */
+		k = inkey();
+
+		/* Process commands */
+		if (k == ESCAPE)
+		{
+			quit(NULL);
+		}
+		else if ((k == '6') || ((rogue_like_commands) && (k == 'l')))
+		{
+			/* Go forward one menu item, wrap */
+			if (++sel >= max) sel = 0;
+			continue;
+		}
+		else if ((k == '4') || ((rogue_like_commands) && (k == 'h')))
+		{
+			/* Go back one menu item, wrap */
+			if (--sel < 0) sel = max - 1;
+			continue;
+		}
+		else if ((k == '2') || ((rogue_like_commands) && (k == 'j')))
+		{
+			/* Go down one line of the menu */
+			if (sel < max - 4) sel += 4;
+			continue;
+		}
+		else if ((k == '8') || ((rogue_like_commands) && (k == 'k')))
+		{
+			/* Go up one line of the menu */
+			if (sel >= 4) sel -= 4;
+			continue;
+		}
+		else if ((k == '\r') || (k == '\n'))
+		{
+			/* Choose this menu option */
+			if (sel < 26) k = I2A(sel);
+			else k = toupper(I2A(sel));
+		}
+
+		/* Delete savefile */
+		else if (((k == 0x7F) || (k == '\010')) && (sel >= 2))
+		{
+			char filename[1024];
+			char tmp[50];
+
+			if (!get_check(format("Really delete '%s'?", savefile_names[sel - 2]))) continue;
+
+			/* Append user ID to filename if necessary */
+#ifdef SAVEFILE_USE_UID
+			(void)strnfmt(tmp, sizeof(tmp),"%d.%s", player_uid, savefile_names[sel - 2]);
+#else
+			(void)strnfmt(tmp, sizeof(tmp), "%s", savefile_names[sel - 2]);
+#endif
+
+			/* Build the file name */
+			(void)path_build(filename, sizeof(filename), ANGBAND_DIR_SAVE, tmp);
+
+			/* Delete this file */
+			(void)file_delete(filename);
+
+			/* Reload the savefile record */
+			max = load_savefile_names() + 2;
+			if (max > 2) sel = 2;
+			else         sel = 0;
+
+			/* Clear screen */
+			(void)Term_clear();
+
+			continue;
+		}
+
+		if (k == 'a')
+		{
+			return (TRUE);
+		}
+		if (k == 'b')
+		{
+			/* Display prompt */
+			prt("Enter the name of a savefile: ", 23, 0);
+
+			/* Ask the user for a string */
+			if (!askfor_aux(op_ptr->full_name, 30, FALSE)) continue;
+
+			/* Process the player name, change savefile name */
+			process_player_name(TRUE);
+
+			return (FALSE);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			int x;
+
+			/* Process command */
+			if (islower(k)) x = A2I(k);
+			else x = A2I(my_tolower(k)) + 26;
+
+			/* Stay legal */
+			if ((x < 2) || (x >= max)) continue;
+
+			/* Get player name */
+			(void)strnfmt(op_ptr->full_name, sizeof(op_ptr->full_name), "%s", savefile_names[x - 2]);
+
+			/* Process the player name, change savefile name */
+			process_player_name(TRUE);
+
+			return (FALSE);
+		}
+	}
+
+	/* Return */
+	return (FALSE);
+}
+
+
+/*
+ * Load a character.
+ *
+ * When the game starts, this function is called to handle savefile loading.
+ * We automatically load the most recent savefile recorded in our savefile
+ * record.  If this fails, we load any savefile named "player" (this
+ * replicates the old behavior).  Otherwise we load nothing and show the
+ * savefile management screen.  -LM-
+ *
+ * An option exists to go directly to the savefile management menu.  This is
+ * used if the player deliberately calls this function.
+ *
+ * As has traditionally been the case, we use "PLAYER" as a default savefile
+ * name.
+ *
+ * This function must cooperate with the menu commands offered by various
+ * ports.  XXX XXX XXX
+ */
+void savefile_load(bool force_menu)
+{
+	bool new_game;
+
+	/* Load the savefile record */
+	int max = load_savefile_names();
+
+
+	/* No savefile has been loaded yet */
+	character_loaded = FALSE;
+
+	/* We're not forcing menus */
+	if (!force_menu)
+	{
+		/* Non-empty savefile record, most recent char is alive */
+		if ((max > 0) && (savefile_alive[0]))
+		{
+			/* Store the base name of the most recent savefile entry */
+			strcpy(op_ptr->full_name, savefile_names[0]);
+
+			/* Process this base name, change savefile name */
+			process_player_name(TRUE);
+
+			/* Try to load this savefile */
+			if (old_load()) return;
+		}
+
+		/* We'll always load a savefile named "PLAYER" */
+
+		/* Hack -- use "PLAYER" as the base name */
+		strcpy(op_ptr->base_name, "PLAYER");
+
+		/* Process this base name, change savefile name */
+		process_player_name(TRUE);
+
+		/* Try to load the file "PLAYER" */
+		if (old_load()) return;
+	}
+
+	/* We're forcing a menu, or haven't found an obvious savefile */
+	if (TRUE)
+	{
+		/* Repeat until satisfied */
+		while (TRUE)
+		{
+			int error;
+
+			/* Show the menu immediately, store chosen name */
+			new_game = savefile_menu();
+
+			/* We want to start a new game (not using any previous savefile) */
+			if (new_game)
+			{
+				/* Hack -- Default base_name */
+				strcpy(op_ptr->base_name, "PLAYER");
+
+				/* Return */
+				return;
+			}
+
+			/* Try to load this character */
+			error = old_load();
+
+			/* File is unreadable */
+			if (!error)
+			{
+				/* Oops */
+				if (!error)
+				{
+					msg_format("Sorry, this savefile cannot be read by %s %s.",
+					VERSION_NAME, VERSION_STRING);
+				}
+
+				/* Oops */
+				msg_print("Please choose another file or start a new game.");
+
+				/* Wait for it */
+				(void)inkey();
+			}
+
+			/* Successfully loaded an old character (alive or dead) */
+			else
+			{
+				/* Return */
+				return;
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
Index: savefile.h
===================================================================
--- savefile.h	(revision 5)
+++ savefile.h	(working copy)
@@ -29,8 +29,10 @@
 void rd_string(char *str, int max);
 void strip_bytes(int n);
 
+/* Menu handling */
+void save_savefile_names(void);
+void savefile_load(bool force_menu);
 
-
 /* load.c */
 int rd_randomizer(u32b version);
 int rd_options(u32b version);