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Hello DarkGDK users!

I finally release an unmanaged c++ library version of my WinsockPlugin and my LuaPlugin.

See Program announcements for the threads of the plugins:BarnskisWinsockPlugin
BarnskisLuaPlugin

The download pack contains the library and the header file used for the DBPro plugin. It uses the C export style and stuff to make it work with DBPro, so it might look a bit awkward compared to normal c++ programming interfaces.

The libraries are compiled with MS VS C++ 2005 SP1 and the Multi-threaded Debug setting (statically linked runtime).

An online help is available which explains all commands in detail, however it is tailored for the DBPro Plugin version. Most commands are named pretty equal, so it should not matter (except for the datatypes).

The page on which you can download and see all information about my plugins can be found in my signature.

These libraries are released for free if you plan a non-commercial distribution. Otherwise please send me an email (also to get the release versions) thanks!

And please tell me your experiences when using it.
For library related stuff (help on including into your project) ask here, for bugs within the library please post in the apropriate program announcement thread.

If you like me to make a managed c++ library version to use it with DGDK.NET then I need help on that

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Great work. This will surely be useful.

Thanks for sharing.

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Really Great work Barnski , I've been waiting for sometime to use LUA in my games, it opens a lot of doors...Thks

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Who can make a version for DGDK.NET ???

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Thanks for your comments, and for even stickying the thread

I am working on an example to show how to use the libraries within c++. As a side effect I will be updating the library pack. As I did just now silently.

Here is the answer to two questions of user "Try" from the Program Announcement board, which I prefer to answer here, as I don't want to confuse DBPro users with c++ related stuff.

A1: I updated the library download pack (silently) with a new .h file that should work for you. If you still have problems concerning the linking of the library please post them!
Besides, I recommend including the header file within a namespace, as follows:
Then you can access all commands by using ws:: and you should then see the auto-complete list. I changed the layout of the header file to make the comments visible for each function, to further ease the use for the developer.

A2: The DBPro.Call and DBPro.CallEx functions for lua scripts are only for usage with DBPro. When calling the lua make function to initialize the library, you should specify a flag with value 0, such that this table is not created.
If you want to use DGDK commands from within your scripts, you will have to manually register them within lua. But there is no such command yet.

Currently, I am working with winsock to make a (rather extended) example. I might look at implementing such a register function later on.


If anyone can tell me or point me to directions on how to make one, I will gladly do it.

Thanks,
Barnski.

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@Barnski:
Thanks man, I'm waiting for 'calling DGDK commands' feature.

Well, it seems that I'm doing something wrong!
+ Code Snippet

1>Demo.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _make referenced in function "void __cdecl DarkGDK(void)" (?DarkGDK@@YAXXZ)
1>.\Debug/Lua test.exe : fatal error LNK1120: 1 unresolved externals

Help please!

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Actually, I did something wrong with the lib export and constant definition when compiling.

I have updated both library packs with new lib versions and header files.

The functions returning a string (char*) are now mapped for c++ to be LPSTR (char*), so they can be used now.

Please download and try again "Try"

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@Barnski:
Are you sure that you've uploaded the latest version? I'm still getting the same error!

btw, why don't you increase the versioning?

Waiting...

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Barnski,

I stickied the thread as it looked like a very useful plugin. I read that people are wanting to use the plugin with DGDK.NET possibly. To create a plugin for DarkGDK.NET, you need to create a managed C++ class library where by you create a managed class that acts as a thunk layer between your main C++ code, and .NET.

The DarkGDK.NET toolkit (if you have it), comes with two samples, both VB and C#, that demonstrates how to build plugins for the toolkit. THe samples are very simple, and yet they demonstrate the principles in creating a managed class library which interfaces with your C++ code. It is important to note that to protect your code from be decompiled, make sure that you keep the managed class as an interface class, and your own C++ code in a separate unmanaged object file.

If you need further assistance with creating your plugin, I'll be able to assist.

Cheers.

Paul.

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Thanks APEXnow, its nice to hear people like to use my plugins.

once the c++ library versions are working fine and my example is finished, I will have a look at making a managed lib version.

Actually I dont have the DarkGDK.NET toolkit. That means I wont be able to test it.
I will surely have to come back to that.

For now; I uploaded new build versions of the library packs again. 20:30).
Empty your browsers cache to make sure you get the new files.
The version is the same because I want to keep the library and the plugin on the same version. However, I introduced a build number which can be looked at in the change log. its build 8.

The changes are:
I added namespace to the libraries: ws and lua.
This allows to use both libraries at the same time.
I further made them compatible with the latest upgrade of DarkGDK.
The functions are no more exported as "C".

The lua function "make" behaves differently than the dbp plugins "lua make", as it doesnt create the dbpro table (and there is no possibility for a flag).

"Try", I hope it works for you now too!

Thats it for today, thanks and see you tomorrow

edit: advantage of namespaces:
+ Code Snippet

#include <windows.h>

#include "winsock_plugin.h"
#include "lua_plugin.h"

#include "DarkGDK.h"


void DarkGDK ( void )
{
	ws::make();
	lua::make();

	float a=0;
	dbSyncOn ( );
	dbSyncRate ( 60 );
	dbSetWindowTitle ( "My C++ application" );
	dbMakeObjectCube ( 1, 100 );
	while ( LoopGDK ( ) )
	{
		dbYRotateObject ( 1, a );
		dbSync ( );
		a=a+1;
	}
	ws::clean_up();
	lua::terminate_lua();
}

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@Barnski:
Oh, man...
I'm using the latest version of you lua plug-in.(Build 8)

But...
+ Code Snippet

1>Demo.obj : error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol "void __cdecl lua::make(void)" (?make@lua@@YAXXZ)
1>.Debug/Example 1.exe : fatal error LNK1120: 1 unresolved externals

Do I have to have lua libraries or something like that?!!! (anything I missed?)

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Checklist
1. Use Visual Studio C++ 2005 Service Pack 1 or Express Edition.
2. Project settings: "Multi-threaded Debug"
3. Include dir: add the directory where you unzipped the lua_plugin.h file. #include "lua_plugin.h"
4. Library dir: add the directory where you unzipped the "Barnski'sLuaPlugin_debug.lib".
5. Add the Library "Barnski'sLuaPlugin_debug.lib" to the lib dependencies.

And always make sure to have the newest version (already updated to build 10)

You don't need the lua.lib, as it is statically included in my library already.

If you have all that done, maybe give more details on your code and project settings.

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@Barnski:
Uhha, the only thing that I forgot, that did the trick. (stupid me )

Tell me that you're gonna work on DGDK calls, oh, come on... (j/k I know you're working on the other one)

Thanks anyway man, can't wait to see more from you.

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Did anybody get the Winsock lib to work under C++?

I tried to do Chat Server, and it worked fine to send data and get connections, but I can't get any input strings from the clients?

Each time a client sends a string "Hello" I get "data is waiting" and then zero sized string "" in return?

I also noticed that channel_data_len is also 0 at this point?

What the..?

Strings are LPSTRs.

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@mhack2
Which commands are you using to send and retrieve the string?

Could you show me your code?

LPSTR is char*, or std::string::c_str()

I changed the interface for the library since it works different for strings in DBP.
If you could give me an example code which I can use to reproduce the mistake I could fix the problem quicker (or your code).

Thanks.

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No problem, I will post the code today,

But I just converted your DBP "Chat Server" example, same commands as there..

I think "ws::recv_..string" is getting empty string or no string at all.

I'm using it with

LPSTR buffer;
size_t buffer_size = 512;

buffer new char(buffer_size);

LPSTR message = ws::recv_..string(client_channel, buffer, buffer_size)

something like this (by memory)

But when I send messages like "client_1 connected" clients get those. But server only gets requests.

I'm using converted "Chat Server" compiled with C++ and DBP version of "Chat Client" exe - could this be a problem?

BTW, did you do any tests with C++?

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Ok, here is my code, please excuse the debug variables etc.
I converted you "Chat Server" DBP example. I'm using this with DBP compiled Chat client exe.

I also have a problem setting Multi-threaded debug, using just Multi-threaded seems ok.

Just copy it and run it. Let me know if I do something wrong..

+ Code Snippet

// Chat Server 
#include "DarkGDK.h"

#include "winsock_plugin.h"





class CClient
{
public:
  CClient() {}
  CClient(int def_id, DWORD def_channel) : id(def_id), channel(def_channel) {}
  virtual ~CClient() {}

  int id;
  DWORD channel;
};



void DarkGDK ( void )
{

	
	// set sync on and sync rate to 60 frames per second
	dbSyncOff   ( );
	dbSyncRate ( 60 );




//specify max. amount of clients.
#define MAX_CLIENTS 3970
//specify local port to listen for connection requests.
#define LOCAL_PORT 4321


	
	


std::vector<CClient*> clients;



DWORD listen_channel;
int clients_connected = 0;

size_t buffer_size = 512;
LPSTR buffer = new char[buffer_size]; // Error messages buffer.





dbDisableEscapekey();
dbSetWindowOn();


//initialize winsock
ws::make();

if (ws::get_error())
{

   //an error has occurred, print the error message and quit.
	dbPrint( ws::get_error_msg(buffer, buffer_size) );
    dbWaitKey();
	ws::clean_up();
    dbEnd();
}



listen_channel = ws::listen_on(LOCAL_PORT);
if (ws::get_channel_error(listen_channel))
{
   //an error has occurred, print the error message and quit.
	dbPrint ( ws::get_channel_error_msg(listen_channel, buffer, buffer_size) );
    dbWaitKey();
	ws::clean_up();
    dbEnd();
}
dbPrint ("Chat server is UP and listening for connections/messages...");
dbSync();
dbSync();

	// make a cube
	dbMakeObjectCube ( 1, 10 );


//the main server loop consists of following:
//1. wait for connection requests, accept them.
//2. receive data, and transmit to all clients.

	// loop until the escape key is pressed
	while ( LoopGDK ( ) )
	{




   //refresh all channels. do this once in the main loop.
   ws::refresh_channels();

   if (ws::get_error())
   {
      //an error has occurred, print the error message and quit.
      dbPrint ( ws::get_error_msg(buffer, buffer_size) );
      dbWaitKey();
	  ws::clean_up();
      dbEnd();
   }

   if (ws::channel_data_waiting(listen_channel))
   {
      //someone wants to connect.
      if (clients_connected < MAX_CLIENTS)
	  {
         //accept connection request.
         
		  clients.push_back(new CClient(0, 0) );
		  
		 // new_client IS clients.size()
		  
		 int len2 = ws::channel_data_len(listen_channel);
		 
		 clients[clients.size()-1]->channel = ws::accept_connection(listen_channel);
         clients[clients.size()-1]->id = clients.size();

		 if (!ws::get_channel_error(clients[clients.size()-1]->channel) )
		 {
            clients_connected++;

            //send a message to all clients that a new client has connected.
            for (int i=0; i<clients_connected; i++)
			{
				//LPSTR aaa = strcat("client_", dbStr(clients[clients.size()].id) );				
				ws::send_string( clients[i]->channel, "client_ has connected!" );
				//ws::send_string( clients[i].channel, "client_" + dbStr(clients[clients.size()].id) + " has connected!" );

			}
            dbPrint( "client_" ); //, dbStr(clients[clients.size()].id)));
			}
         else
		 {
			dbPrint( ws::get_channel_error_msg(clients[clients.size()-1]->channel, buffer, buffer_size) );
			ws::delete_channel(clients[clients.size()-1]->channel);            
			delete &clients[clients.size()-1];
			clients.pop_back();
		 }
	  }
      else
	  {
         //max clients reached.
         dbPrint( "connection request rejected because max amount of clients are already connected." );
	  }
   }
   // Check for incoming chat messages
   for (int i=0; i < clients_connected; i++)
   {

	   DWORD c = clients[i]->channel;
	   int r = ws::channel_data_waiting(c);
	   if (r)
	   //if ( ws::channel_data_waiting(clients[i]->channel) )
	   {

		 int len1 = ws::channel_data_len(c);
		

		 LPSTR message = ws::recv_string( clients[i]->channel, buffer, buffer_size );
         if ( strlen(message) == 0 )
		 {
            dbPrint("disconnected"); // "client_" + str$(clients(i).id) + " has disconnected."
            // Send a message to all clients that client has disconnected.
            for (int j=0; j < clients_connected; j++)
			{
               if (j != i)
			   {
				   ws::send_string( clients[j]->channel, "client_ has disconnected."); // + str$(clients(i).id) + " has disconnected."
			   }
			}
            clients_connected--;
			ws::delete_channel( clients[i]->channel);            
			delete &clients[i];
			clients.erase(&clients[i]);
            //dec i    `need to do this because the next array element is now at the current position.
			i--;
		 }
         else
		 {
            //forward messsage to all other clients (including the sender).
            message = "client_"; // + str$(clients(i).id) + ":  " + message$
            for (int j=0; j<clients_connected; j++)
			{
				ws::send_string( clients[j]->channel, message );
			}
		 }
	   }
   }


			if ( dbEscapeKey ( ) )
			return;

		// rotate the object
		dbRotateObject ( 1, dbObjectAngleX ( 1 ) + 0.1f, dbObjectAngleY ( 1 ) + 0.1f, dbObjectAngleZ ( 1 ) + 0.1f );

		// update screen
		//dbSync ( );
	}



//shutdown winsock
ws::clean_up();





}

This gets the connection of the client, switches to new port/channel but doesn't get the string from the client..
But it sends strings to the client(s) ok.

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Thanks for the code. You did a good job on translating my dbpro chat server example. It will serve well as an example for others.


However, you missed one important line, that made your version fail:

ws::recv_message(channel);

If there is data waiting on a channel, first use this command to load the data into the internal buffer of the library. Then you can retrieve it from there using ws::recv_string().

For DarkGDK projects where you want to use Multi-threaded Debug mode, you need to use the debug libraries of the DGDK. They can be found in a separate folder inside the Lib folder of the installation path (VC8debug, instead of VC8).

By the way, for the server, now that it is in C++, you don't need to use DarkGDK anymore... instead you can run a console app.

And for the string printing, there are several options;
either define a buffer and use sprintf(), or use std::string and append() of class string.

NEVER use dbStr() without assigning it to a char* (or LPSTR) variable! Because you need to delete[] the memory afterwards!

Yes, but I did not test all commands. Currently, I am working on a project using winsock library, but no string sending / receiving. Only UDP messages, defined as structs.
Thanks to my working with my own lib I missed some commands I needed so I have already added new commands which I will release in the next version... stay tuned

edit; the receive buffer should be at least 8192 bytes. The error buffer can be 256. But 512 is better, if I decide to change it But you can specify your buffer sizes, so no errors should occurr.

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Thanks for checking the code, I hope it works, will try it tonight.

Great lib BTW, thank you!

I guess this is my first contribution to DB community

My project will be heavy UDP but I wanted to start playing with your lib so I started with TCP.

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How does it look with Lua in DGDK.NET?

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Thanks for reminding me.
I was working on a major winsock update but I had to stall it for other work, which is still taking up my daily programming time. Hey, I finally get payed for programming a game
In a few weeks I will look at how to make c++ dlls available for .NET.
I guess I don't need DGDK.NET, I will just make it work for .NET, and the work of including it into your DGDK.NET project shouldnt be too difficult then. Maybe there is already a way to include it without me doing anything...

Anyways, thanks for the ongoing interest, and stay tuned

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No problem... Im waiting for it because it will be more easy for me to make the game

Im trying to see how they do in WoW with Lua and thats interesting. But I think that a Lua.NET not only can be used in DGDK.NET but also in other programs.

I'm getting ideas now...