Author Topic: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)  (Read 17816 times)

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Offline Daniel3D

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Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« on: September 20, 2021, 08:42:28 am »
Hi everybody.
I'm Daniel, 41 years old and terrible at programming in any language. (not for lack of trying, Just too Dyslectic)
But I have ideas and I often find someone to build it.

I still play a 1991 DOS race game (stunts) and that has an active (modding) community, but the few programmers there are short on time.
Is there anyone interested with helping in writing part of the new SETUP program for the game.
The basis is already written in Qbasic.

I need a Installer function for DOS. First just for the game (a relative simple copy form source to destination)
Later to be expanded to install and remove mods.
The game supports 32 cars (it came with 11) but we are getting close to 100 now,
we need a tool that can move cars (4 files each, 5 if we include a graphic or metadata) from the game dir to a garage and back.

A lot of information can be found on the forum (forum.stunts.hu)
So if anyone wants to program but is looking for a project.

I apologize if I offended anyone by my shameless request.
I'm just getting frustrated and feeling powerless.

Regards
Daniel

Offline SpriggsySpriggs

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2021, 09:35:31 am »
Somebody sure might be able to help you with this. I know I can't. I don't know QBASIC that well and I certainly don't know DOS. We've got plenty of people here on the forum who do. I'm sure Pete or bplus would be interested.
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Offline bplus

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2021, 11:25:43 am »
Quote
I'm sure Pete or bplus would be interested.

Quote
I need a Installer function for DOS. First just for the game (a relative simple copy form source to destination)
Later to be expanded to install and remove mods.

Have no idea about installers?  Nor do I know old Qbasic ways of doing advanced graphics.

How many lines of code is the QBasic program? Do you want this for DOS? (then I am not interested)

If I see video and some code maybe could we could build it from scratch for QB64.

Offline bplus

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2021, 11:31:48 am »
Oh ha! Just looked at forum this is big big project of dedicated people, ha!

Offline SpriggsySpriggs

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2021, 11:42:29 am »
Do you want this for DOS? (then I am not interested)

That got me laughing
Shuwatch!

Offline bplus

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2021, 11:50:36 am »
I loved DOS and had great set of Basic tools for it back in early 90's, all gone with 486 computer as well as most my memory of it.

Offline Daniel3D

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2021, 12:27:39 pm »
Oh ha! Just looked at forum this is big big project of dedicated people, ha!
O yes, there are some big projects there. We hope to someday port the whole thing to C and modern systems.
For now we are stuck in DOS.

Most big projects take ages. Lack of time the biggest culprit.

The thing I'm trying to get going is small in comparison.
Just hoping to find a enthusiasts who would like to work on it.

Offline George McGinn

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2021, 12:28:59 pm »
Why not use a 3rd party installer???

If I remember my ancient history, I used one (PKUNIZP, I think) to install shareware I used to write for the 386/486 systems in QB45 and QBasic.

I'm pretty sure you can still find one still out there.
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Offline SpriggsySpriggs

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #8 on: September 20, 2021, 12:29:10 pm »
If the code is all in QBASIC then you should be able to open most of it in QB64 and compile to executables for modern systems
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Offline bplus

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #9 on: September 20, 2021, 12:30:55 pm »
Yeah, I am wondering what the QBasic code looks like.

Offline SMcNeill

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #10 on: September 20, 2021, 12:34:31 pm »
If it’s just an installer, can’t you just create a simple batch script to do the job?
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Offline bplus

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #11 on: September 20, 2021, 12:39:53 pm »
If it's DOS and just Qbasic what's to install unless the QBasic doesn't have a compiler.

Offline SMcNeill

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #12 on: September 20, 2021, 12:54:33 pm »
If it's DOS and just Qbasic what's to install unless the QBasic doesn't have a compiler.

Sounds like the source is probably set up to read various mod files from the root directory, so an installer would be required to only copy/remove the proper files to the drives game directory.

Example of archive:
Game.exe
redcar.mod
greencar.mod
bluecar.mod
whitecar.mod
fred.mod

Game.exe would look in the root directory and apply all *.mod files, so an install from the archive to disk would require only copy/pasting the selected files, while making certain any others are erased.

I used to write batch scripts for stuff like this all the time back in the ‘80s, but I haven’t used DOS in thirty years.  I don’t remember half the syntax anymore.  Best place to ask for this type thing is from the DosBox community — they stay immersed in the proper syntax all the time.
https://github.com/SteveMcNeill/Steve64 — A github collection of all things Steve!

Offline Daniel3D

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #13 on: September 20, 2021, 02:06:51 pm »
If the code is all in QBASIC then you should be able to open most of it in QB64 and compile to executables for modern systems
No
 The setup program is rewritten in qbasic. It needed to because we recompiled the game executables.
The game itself is mostly written in assembly.

Offline Daniel3D

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Re: Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)
« Reply #14 on: September 20, 2021, 03:06:54 pm »
If it’s just an installer, can’t you just create a simple batch script to do the job?
It needs to be a bit more flexible than that.

The game directory has variable contents and subdirectories. (custom content and mods)
Installation can be form or to a removable medium. (basically from any location to any location)

It needs to check if the source directory contains game files and if the destination exists.
Create a directory if needed.
Copy the whole, including subdirectories, to the new location.
[that mimics the functions of the original installer]

Optional features
(re)Install the base game without additional content and modifications.
Install the game in the new location with selected modifications.
(de)Install modifications to current installation
- these options require a good understanding of the game and mechanics. They are welcome, but can wait.