I have ATTAC registered, but its explore script doesn't scan all the time and gets me podded.

I just registered SWATH, and its World Explore script is a missing feature, d'oh!

I got TWX but I am still learning it.

What is the best explore script to use? I should think an explore script should:

#1 Scan for figs, planets, mines, and avoid sectors.

#2 Use a holoscanner or density scanner for scanning which should be user configurable to save turns.

#3 Drop figs for griding as you explore.

#4 Trade at ports and turn haggle on or off.

#5 Keep track of class 9 and class 0 ports in a database to find them later.

#6 Follow the TW computer path, or have an option to explore every sector in a bubble or part of the universe.

Also how does one learn how to write scripts? What is the best language to learn? REXX and TWX seem to be very popular. But some helpers like SWATH and DRoP use Javascript, which I already know and just need to learn how to parse telnet data and store/read in databases.

My languages I know are:

Visual BASIC
Javascript
Turbo Pascal
C Language

I know others, but haven't used them since college, like COBOL, FORTRAN, Assembly, etc.

Most 'exploring' scripts don't trade- the only one that I know of, is 1_trade.ts.. I think it drops figs under ports, and TWX does everything else automatically (it's all stored in the database).

However, 1_trade.ts does NOT automatically AVOID anything, nor does it haggle, of course, since it is an open source script, neither of the 2 would be hard to impliment.

Neither would creating a script from scratch, with a pretty menu, to do all the above items listed.

Hope I was usefull.

Grazhoppa

quote:Originally posted by Orion_Blastar

I have ATTAC registered, but its explore script doesn't scan all the time and gets me podded.

I just registered SWATH, and its World Explore script is a missing feature, d'oh!

I got TWX but I am still learning it.

What is the best explore script to use? I should think an explore script should:

#1 Scan for figs, planets, mines, and avoid sectors.

#2 Use a holoscanner or density scanner for scanning which should be user configurable to save turns.

#3 Drop figs for griding as you explore.

#4 Trade at ports and turn haggle on or off.

#5 Keep track of class 9 and class 0 ports in a database to find them later.

#6 Follow the TW computer path, or have an option to explore every sector in a bubble or part of the universe.

Also how does one learn how to write scripts? What is the best language to learn? REXX and TWX seem to be very popular. But some helpers like SWATH and DRoP use Javascript, which I already know and just need to learn how to parse telnet data and store/read in databases.

My languages I know are:

Visual BASIC
Javascript
Turbo Pascal
C Language

I know others, but haven't used them since college, like COBOL, FORTRAN, Assembly, etc.

SWATH uses java, not javascript. It's my understanding that when drop is realeased, you can use any language you can compile with .net compatible compiler. Personally, I like REXX but of what's currently out there, you'd probably be better off learning the TWX language.

I use a "tweaked" version of the VitoTrade script for SWATH. It's tweaked to not enter a sector over a specific density EVER (can be adjusted from the GUI), along with some other helpful adds.

However, by itself the VitoTrade script is pretty Darn nice. It's just difficult to use in a game with a lot of hazards.

If you are familar with C, I suggest you try Telix as a terminal program. Telix SALT programming language is based on C and is very similar; much of the syntax and many functions are identical. It is freeware.

http://sac-ftp.externet.hu/comm21.html

The files you need are:
tfw115d1.zip and tfw115d2.zip

I use it with an offline database/helper called Tradewars Assistant or twassist. Also free, at the bottom of the following page:

http://home.sprintmail.com/~albingersich/

quote:Originally posted by Orion_Blastar

I have ATTAC registered, but its explore script doesn't scan all the time and gets me podded.

I just registered SWATH, and its World Explore script is a missing feature, d'oh!

I got TWX but I am still learning it.

What is the best explore script to use? I should think an explore script should:

#1 Scan for figs, planets, mines, and avoid sectors.

#2 Use a holoscanner or density scanner for scanning which should be user configurable to save turns.

#3 Drop figs for griding as you explore.

#4 Trade at ports and turn haggle on or off.

#5 Keep track of class 9 and class 0 ports in a database to find them later.

#6 Follow the TW computer path, or have an option to explore every sector in a bubble or part of the universe.

Also how does one learn how to write scripts? What is the best language to learn? REXX and TWX seem to be very popular. But some helpers like SWATH and DRoP use Javascript, which I already know and just need to learn how to parse telnet data and store/read in databases.

My languages I know are:

Visual BASIC
Javascript
Turbo Pascal
C Language

I know others, but haven't used them since college, like COBOL, FORTRAN, Assembly, etc.

I have a sript like what you are looking for,but it does not trade.Your best bet would be to run a worldtrade and set the boundries the best you can.Cherokee has a cool scout script thats good about not going into sectors with stuff in it.I might just try to write that one.Sounds like a good idea.And as for the class O,if you run swathmwhen it sees a Class O,it puts the sector numbers in the bottom right corner.
Hoe it helps.

I just learned how rusty my C skills are by trying to convert the TWCalc VB fuctions to C for Earth's ATTAC program to use.

I have been programming in VB for far too long. Time to learn new things.

I can relate. Try going from a VB (.NET) shop to a C# shop. Ugh! [:D]

If you get stuck on some of the functions, I know there are some good VB to C (or C#) converters online. I don't have my bookmarks to any though... sorry.

-chris-

I'd rather do it by hand. I've seen conversion programs and they usually produce buggy code that needs major debugging. Besides this is a good way for me to learn.

quote:
SWATH uses java, not javascript. It's my understanding that when drop is realeased, you can use any language you can compile with .net compatible compiler. Personally, I like REXX but of what's currently out there, you'd probably be better off learning the TWX language.


If you have access to the DRoP Yahoo Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/drop_proxy/message/8

quote:
DRoP will support two methods of programatic interfacing. The
Microsoft Script Engine will be embedded into the proxy, allowing
people to write scripts in JavaScript or VBScript. We will be
exposing the data model as objects to the script environment so that
people may script against it. As developers, we understand the needs
of scripters, and intend to make scripting as easy as possible in
this realm, by negating the need for the average developer to write
breadth first search routines, or for that matter, any node
traversal. Hopefully this will allow for some pretty neat
automation, as developers can focus more on the overall concepts than
the nitty gritty details. We will also be providing a custom code
encrypter, so people may distribute secure code. The proxy will be
the only application (hopefully) that will be able to decode and
execute the scripts.

The second programatic interface will be using Microsoft's .NET
remoting technology. This feature will appeal more to the hardcore
programmer, or the professional. The advantages of .NET remoting
include compiled logic, real time updates of the data model to script
against (it uses a proxy object), the ability to use any .NET
compileable language, real data types, etc etc etc.


We are both right, it will use Microsoft scripting for Javascript and VBScript, as well as .NET language interfaces.

http://www.swath.net/?page=scripts

My mistake I read it as Javascripts when it is really Java Scripts. Two words not one.

Looks like I found a Smart Expore script that might do what I want. [:D]

J-TWAT has an explore script that trades and haggles, but you'd have to mod it to avoid sectors with a certain density.

Wait... you're telling me there's REALLY a program called "J-TWAT" ????

Sorry, I couldn't resist. No, I'm not 10.

I felt the same when they first released it

I think I accually suggested "A-Twat"
I don't think I got a response though..

Graz

yes Virginia there is a J-Twat.....

http://sourceforge.net/projects/j-twat/

Java-Trade Wars Attack Terminal