Project looking for Programmer (I can't do it myself)

[Daniel3D]

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

[SpriggsySpriggs]

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.

[bplus]

I'm sure Pete or bplus would be interested.

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.

[bplus]

Oh ha! Just looked at forum this is big big project of dedicated people, ha!

[SpriggsySpriggs]

Do you want this for DOS? (then I am not interested)

That got me laughing

[bplus]

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.

[Daniel3D]

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.

[George McGinn]

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.

[SpriggsySpriggs]

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

[bplus]

Yeah, I am wondering what the QBasic code looks like.

[SMcNeill]

If it’s just an installer, can’t you just create a simple batch script to do the job?

[bplus]

If it's DOS and just Qbasic what's to install unless the QBasic doesn't have a compiler.

[SMcNeill]

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.

[Daniel3D]

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.

[Daniel3D]

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.