I am currently writing a text MUD server. Things work out pretty neat but I have 1 thing I can't really figure out. How do I make the server have changeable settings in such a fashion the user(I think it will be only me) can load the settings file into a text editor like notepad and change them. e.g. The file must be looking something like this(or similar, the user needs to be able to understand what is it changing):

ServerPassword = password
Port = 4000
MaxUsers = 250 
AllowNewAccounts = 1
  

What is the best approach for this? [EDIT] 25x 500 error [/EDIT] Sand Hawk ---------------- (Inspired by Pouya) [edited by - sand_hawk on March 4, 2003 8:01:27 PM]

I fear nobody can really tell you what to do BEST ;-) ...

I would do this the following:
* write a small text-parsing engine that can handle expressions like "MaxUsers = 250". At first, implement it as a text-based console into the server application (e.g. user is able to enter this and the text is sent to the text-parser which will then trigger some action)
* fill a file, e.g. "autoexec.cfg" with some lines you could also enter into the text-console (like "MaxUsers = 250"). this file will be loaded automatically on server startup. simply read out every line after the other and let it be parsed and evaluated.

within the console you could do some fancy stuff, for example the following (and very easy to realize debug thingie):
"MaxUsers = 250"
maximal users allowed are set to 250
"MaxUsers ="
maybe print out the maximum number of users on the console.
''Maximum amount of users allowed: 250''

you get what i mean? *gg*

hope i could help you a little bit!

Yours,
Indeterminatus.

Indeterminatus

--si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses--

i did something similiar, but my implementation is crappy because i just wanted it to work for the moment.

the server app automatically loads "config.dat" (just a text file) and applies any settings in the file. but, it also allows for a command-line parameter to specify an alternate config file... so you can have a couple of them lying around, and switch them up without destroying the original.

Well, I think I got the general idea. I have layed the foundation of the class, it looks like this:

class CConfigFile{public:    CConfigFile();    CConfigFile(char *szFileName);    ~CConfigFile();    int SetConfigFile(char *szFilename);    // Variable function, used to get/set or add a variable    int GetVariable(char *szVar, char *szValue); // Get the variable    int SetVariable(char *szVar, char *szValue); // Set the variable    int AddVariable(char *szVar, char *szValue); // Add new variable    // Sections    int AddSection(char *szSection); // Add new section    int SetSection(char *szSection); // Set current section    int GetSection(char *szSection); // Get current sectionprivate:    char szConfigFile[512];    char szCurrentSection[256];    long lSectionStart;    long lSectionEnd;    bool bSetup;}; 

I code it up today and tomorrow and see if it works.

Sand Hawk

Use the Win16/32 API functions GetPrivateProfileString & WritePrivateProfileString and use an .ini file.