3.0.5.3q

From ZDLSharp

3.0.5.3q is a sister release to 3.0.5.3, it includes several enhancements that should help Doomers of all platforms.

Contents 1 Gui Change 2 Backend Change 3 Bug Fixes 4 Minimum Requirements 5 Two Streams 6 Operating System Compatibility 7 ToDo 8 Early Access 9 What's Next? 10 Discussion

[edit] Gui Change

The q in 3.0.5.3q signifies that this version of ZDLSharp will be built off of Qt and C++, and not use the C# language at all. This was done for three reasons:

1. ZDLSharp requires the Microsoft .NET CLR to function, and may not be available on all platforms
2. ZDLSharp runs under mono, but not very well: It requires a cvs version, and does not support the native look-and-feel on the host.
3. By developing natively under Linux, I can pump out newer and better versions.

[edit] Backend Change

ZDLSharp currently uses a configuration system descended from ZDL, that is, it only reads information it cares about, and overwrites the file with it's own information. This can cause backwards then forwards compatibility with losing information. ZDLSharp 3.0.5.3q will alleviate this by merging in ZDL Sidekick code that allows changes to be made to the file without completely rewriting it.

[edit] Bug Fixes

Some bugs didn't actually be fixed, and since I'll be working native under Linux, more work should be done.

[edit] Minimum Requirements

• Qt 4.3 is required for compilation. Ubuntu Hardy 8.04 is the oldest version of Ubuntu that will support qZDL.

[edit] Two Streams

ZDLSharp users are currently subjected to one development stream. That is, they are prompted to upgrade when there's anything new. I plan on changing this, by creating a stable stream, and a beta stream that allows users to pick the frequency of updates. Only stable streams will be compiled to Win32 executables on my end.

[edit] Operating System Compatibility

qZDL will be available for Windows, Linux, and now Mac. By using the Qt widgeting library, qZDL is able to get to more platforms in a more native look and feel. On Windows, the native win32 gui library will be used. On Mac, Carbon is currently still the backend, but there's plans for that to be moved to Cocoa by the end of the year. On Linux, qZDL will integrate with existing Qt4 applications.

[edit] ToDo

Implementation of ZDLSharp 3.0.5.3q is finished.

• Finish implementing gui (Finished)
  • Options Dialog Options Tab (Finished)
  • DMFlag Picker (Finished)
  • Advanced Multiplayer Options (Finished)
• Hook GUI components to ini backend (Finished)
• Write new signalling system for tab changes (Finished)
• Update system Finished
  • Client side update Finished
  • New server side update Delayed

[edit] Early Access

You access an early version of ZDLSharp 3.0.5.3q (qZDL) from the SVN repository on our Sourceforge Project Page, or browse it with a web browser.

Please note: Any developmental code may or may not reflect the final product in design or stability, and may or may not be forwards or backward compatible. Use at your own risk.

[edit] What's Next?

The official name of ZDLSharp will probably change to qZDL, to reflect the change from C#, and all users will be encouraged to move to qZDL. Shortly after 3.0.5.3q, qZDL 3.1.0.0 will probably follow, providing that the feature set is rich enough and follows the ZDL Roadmap.

[edit] Discussion

I got the error: "WARNING: Failure to find: confdefs.h". Any idea why? (See discussion page.)