The best language for making bots?

[Minipixel]

Hi guys, long time no see.

I was wondering, What do you think is better for bots?
So it may be faster or maybe better support for the sdk or whatever you can think of, vote!!

(Please post why you did choose for that lang. too.)


[edit]
I did pick VB.NET as my first choice, I like it because vb stays my best buddy haha.
But for the crossplatform and such i would go for C++ as my 2nd choice.

[Xenion]

I go for the old VB since it runs the best on my crappy pc

[K-4U]

Jepz, VB the best. and i mean it!

[Edwin]

C++ for the win!!

[Remco]

C++ for the win!!

/agree

[Xenion]

C++ for the win!!

/agree

2 bad i don't have the time to learn it. It all looks so complicated :p
So i'll stick to VB for now.

[Edwin]

C++ for the win!!

/agree

2 bad i don't have the time to learn it. It all looks so complicated :p
So i'll stick to VB for now.

Then it might be better to move on to VB.Net if you're still using VB6 because it is newer and there will probably be a VP SDK for it . Someone might write a VB6 SDK, but that won't be be me.

[Xenion]

I sometimes use VB.NET but I just don't like it. They made simple tings complicated and complicated things simple :s

[Minipixel]

@ edwin, Me nether,but i will make much of vb.net bot examples to make people more intrested, and ofcource Kirubo (aka the old Toxic project) will come!!

[Edwin]

I sometimes use VB.NET but I just don't like it. They made simple tings complicated and complicated things simple :s

I agree, I haven't used VB.Net a lot but I know this is true. VB looks easy but it isn't allways clear what's happening. Maybe you could try C#, it is also using .Net but has a very clear syntax. But as with all new things, you will have to get used to it. I moved from VB6, looked at VB.Net, didn't like it and gone to C# immediately. Later I moved to C++ which I'm using now. I did some Perl and Java too.

[Xenion]

I sometimes use VB.NET but I just don't like it. They made simple tings complicated and complicated things simple :s

I agree, I haven't used VB.Net a lot but I know this is true. VB looks easy but it isn't allways clear what's happening. Maybe you could try C#, it is also using .Net but has a very clear syntax. But as with all new things, you will have to get used to it. I moved from VB6, looked at VB.Net, didn't like it and gone to C# immediately. Later I moved to C++ which I'm using now. I did some Perl and Java too.

Ok I'll take a look at C#(.NET). I also tried C++ but it looked too complicated :p

[Rudy]

Visual Basic, no doubt.
i'm not a professional, so i don't care whether i have to wait 1 tenth of a second or 2 tenths of a second for a response it's easy, reliable (i haven't encountered errors yet) and easy to learn

[Xenion]

Visual Basic, no doubt.
i'm not a professional, so i don't care whether i have to wait 1 tenth of a second or 2 tenths of a second for a response it's easy, reliable (i haven't encountered errors yet) and easy to learn

I totaly agree, although I do want to learn a C language. I just made 2 C++ bots and what I notice as a big advantage is the speed, and the up-to-date'ness of the sdk. AW doesn't care about non-C-programmers.

[K-4U]

Yeah, loving C++, right Xenion!

Meh, since i have made these bots, i've become better at bots, so i don't really care which lang the sdk wil be produced...

[cube3]

They are all good for this, except PHP Its possible but wouldn't recommend it for an object oriented language. VB is to my knowledge not really cross platform, although for a BOT its not really that important to support cross platform applications.

C++ often requires knwledge on the lower level to make it truly cross platform. So I really like to develop on a cross platform framework language such as .NET. I have not tried out wxWidgets .NET yet but when devleoping on OpenGL libraries for .NET you can publish cross-platform with minimal code adjustments.

So I would recommend VB.NET or C# with wxWidgets.NET and OpenGL. You can also expose bot interfaces as COM so you can support the VB6 / Microsoft managed C++ users without having to write extra code.

I think there are also wrappers for unmanaged C++ to call .NET libraries.

Ofcourse if you develop in C++ it also works the other way around, but again, C++ does not have one standardized development framework, but there are many frameworks. Which can make cross platform implementations very complicated.

Like Edwin I have been working on a VR environment for some years now, my focus has been primarily on the architecture, how broad can it be used for example.

Here are some examples of my BOT interface to the platform 3D environment. Note its a more High Level Language and much more managed than that off ActiveWorlds SDK. Furthermore the bot can not only interact with text, or 3D objects. It has access to EVERYTHING. furthermore a bot can be configured to run via Internet Connection or Plugged in to the Universe Server directly (for performance). With allowing a BOT to have complete control you can do more with it than just 3D VR Worlds. IE. 2D or Pseudo 3D games are also possible.

We have been privately developing this platform, but I am looking on opening up Platform3D bot development this year.

In this example it sends a welcome greeting to the user and adds skybox (i.e. the world will be controlled by a bot).

It also interacts with user status changes, in just a couple lines of code (most code is generate through intellisens). It currently supports:

• VB.NET
  C#
  MS C++
  DELPHI

In the Near Future these languages will also be supported

• VB6
  Java

PLATFORM3D BOT SDK Examples

In VB.NET

Code: Select all

Public Class GreeterBotExample
    Inherits BaseBot

Public Sub New(ByVal configuration As ClientEngineInstanceConfiguration)
    MyBase.New(configuration)
    AddHandler MyBase.OnEnterWorldResponse, New EnterWorldResponseDelegate(AddressOf Me.GreeterBotExample_OnEnterWorldResponse)
    AddHandler MyBase.OnServerConnectResponse, New ServerConnectResponseDelegate(AddressOf Me.GreeterBotExample_OnServerConnectResponse)
    AddHandler MyBase.OnLifeformChatStatusChanged, New OnLifeformChatStatusChangedDelegate(AddressOf Me.GreeterBotExample_OnLifeformChatStatusChanged)
    MyBase.Start
End Sub

 Private Sub GreeterBotExample_OnEnterWorldResponse(ByVal sender As EnterWorldResponseMessage, ByVal e As EventArgs)
    If ((Not sender.LifeformId.Value Is MyBase.BotId) AndAlso (sender.EnumResponseCode = WorldResponseCode.WORLD_LIFEFORM_ENTERED_SUCCESSFULLY)) Then
        MyBase.BeginSendChatMesage((sender.LifeformName.Value & " enters..."), ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0)
        MyBase.BeginSendSkyBox(sender.LifeformId.Value, "http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_lf.jpg", "http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_rt.jpg", "http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_up.jpg", "http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_dn.jpg", "http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_fr.jpg", "http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_bk.jpg")
    End If
End Sub

Private Sub GreeterBotExample_OnLifeformChatStatusChanged(ByVal sender As ChatStatusResponseMessage, ByVal e As EventArgs)
    Select Case sender.ChatStatus
        Case LifeformChatStatus.CHAT_STATUS_AVAILABLE
            MyBase.BeginSendChatMesage(("Welcome back " & MyBase.Cache.GetLifeform(sender.LifeFormId.Value).Name & "."), ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0)
            Exit Select
        Case LifeformChatStatus.CHAT_STATUS_BE_RIGHT_BACK
            MyBase.BeginSendChatMesage((MyBase.Cache.GetLifeform(sender.LifeFormId.Value).Name & " will be right back."), ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0)
            Exit Select
        Case LifeformChatStatus.CHAT_STATUS_DO_NOT_DISTURB
            MyBase.BeginSendChatMesage((MyBase.Cache.GetLifeform(sender.LifeFormId.Value).Name & " does not want to be more disturbed than this."), ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0)
            Exit Select
        Case LifeformChatStatus.CHAT_STATUS_AFK
            MyBase.BeginSendChatMesage((MyBase.Cache.GetLifeform(sender.LifeFormId.Value).Name & " is away from keyboard."), ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0)
            Exit Select
    End Select
End Sub

Private Sub GreeterBotExample_OnServerConnectResponse(ByVal sender As ServerConnectResponseMessage, ByVal e As EventArgs)
    MyBase.BeginAuthenticate("############", "######")
End Sub

End Class

In DELPHI

Code: Select all

public GreeterBotExample = class(BaseBot)
    // Methods
    constructor GreeterBotExample.Create(configuration: ClientEngineInstanceConfiguration);
    begin
        inherited OnEnterWorldResponse += EnterWorldResponseDelegate.Create(self,GreeterBotExample_OnEnterWorldResponse);
        ;
        inherited OnServerConnectResponse += ServerConnectResponseDelegate.Create(self,GreeterBotExample_OnServerConnectResponse);
        ;
        inherited OnLifeformChatStatusChanged += OnLifeformChatStatusChangedDelegate.Create(self,GreeterBotExample_OnLifeformChatStatusChanged);
        ;
        inherited Start
    end;

    procedure GreeterBotExample.GreeterBotExample_OnEnterWorldResponse(sender: EnterWorldResponseMessage; e: EventArgs);
    begin
        if ((sender.LifeformId.Value <> inherited BotId) and ((sender.EnumResponseCode as WorldResponseCode) = WorldResponseCode.WORLD_LIFEFORM_ENTERED_SUCCESSFULLY)) then
        begin
            inherited BeginSendChatMesage(string.Concat(sender.LifeformName.Value, ' enters...'), ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
            inherited BeginSendSkyBox(sender.LifeformId.Value, 'http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_lf.jpg', 'http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_rt.jpg', 'http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_up.jpg', 'http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_dn.jpg', 'http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_fr.jpg', 'http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_bk.jpg')
        end
    end;

    procedure GreeterBotExample.GreeterBotExample_OnLifeformChatStatusChanged(sender: ChatStatusResponseMessage; e: EventArgs);
    begin
        case sender.ChatStatus of
            LifeformChatStatus.CHAT_STATUS_AVAILABLE:
                begin
                    inherited BeginSendChatMesage(string.Concat('Welcome back ', inherited Cache.GetLifeform(sender.LifeFormId.Value).Name, '.'), ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
                    break;

                end;
            LifeformChatStatus.CHAT_STATUS_BE_RIGHT_BACK:
                begin
                    inherited BeginSendChatMesage(string.Concat(inherited Cache.GetLifeform(sender.LifeFormId.Value).Name, ' will be right back.'), ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
                    break;

                end;
            LifeformChatStatus.CHAT_STATUS_DO_NOT_DISTURB:
                begin
                    inherited BeginSendChatMesage(string.Concat(inherited Cache.GetLifeform(sender.LifeFormId.Value).Name, ' does not want to be more disturbed than this.'), ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
                    break;

                end;
            LifeformChatStatus.CHAT_STATUS_AFK:
                begin
                    inherited BeginSendChatMesage(string.Concat(inherited Cache.GetLifeform(sender.LifeFormId.Value).Name, ' is away from keyboard.'), ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
                    break;

                end;
        end
    end;

    procedure GreeterBotExample.GreeterBotExample_OnServerConnectResponse(sender: ServerConnectResponseMessage; e: EventArgs);
    begin
        inherited BeginAuthenticate('######', '#############')
    end;
end;

In MS C++

Code: Select all

public __gc class GreeterBotExample : public BaseBot
{
    // Methods
    public: GreeterBotExample(ClientEngineInstanceConfiguration __gc* configuration) : base(configuration)
    {
        base->OnEnterWorldResponse += new EnterWorldResponseDelegate __gc*(this.GreeterBotExample_OnEnterWorldResponse);
        base->OnServerConnectResponse += new ServerConnectResponseDelegate __gc*(this.GreeterBotExample_OnServerConnectResponse);
        base->OnLifeformChatStatusChanged += new OnLifeformChatStatusChangedDelegate __gc*(this.GreeterBotExample_OnLifeformChatStatusChanged);
        base->Start();
    }

    private: void __gc* GreeterBotExample_OnEnterWorldResponse(EnterWorldResponseMessage __gc* sender, EventArgs __gc* e)
    {
        if ((sender->LifeformId->Value != base->BotId) && (*static_cast<__box WorldResponseCode*>(sender->EnumResponseCode) == WorldResponseCode::WORLD_LIFEFORM_ENTERED_SUCCESSFULLY))
        {
            base->BeginSendChatMesage(String::Concat(sender->LifeformName->Value, S" enters..."), ChatMessageType::CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
            base->BeginSendSkyBox(sender->LifeformId->Value, S"http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_lf.jpg", S"http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_rt.jpg", S"http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_up.jpg", S"http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_dn.jpg", S"http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_fr.jpg", S"http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_bk.jpg");
        }
    }

    private: void __gc* GreeterBotExample_OnLifeformChatStatusChanged(ChatStatusResponseMessage __gc* sender, EventArgs __gc* e)
    {
        switch (sender->ChatStatus)
        {
            case LifeformChatStatus::CHAT_STATUS_AVAILABLE:
            {
                base->BeginSendChatMesage(String::Concat(S"Welcome back ", base->Cache->GetLifeform(sender->LifeFormId->Value)->Name, S"."), ChatMessageType::CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
                break;
            }
            case LifeformChatStatus::CHAT_STATUS_BE_RIGHT_BACK:
            {
                base->BeginSendChatMesage(String::Concat(base->Cache->GetLifeform(sender->LifeFormId->Value)->Name, S" will be right back."), ChatMessageType::CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
                break;
            }
            case LifeformChatStatus::CHAT_STATUS_DO_NOT_DISTURB:
            {
                base->BeginSendChatMesage(String::Concat(base->Cache->GetLifeform(sender->LifeFormId->Value)->Name, S" does not want to be more disturbed than this."), ChatMessageType::CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
                break;
            }
            case LifeformChatStatus::CHAT_STATUS_AFK:
            {
                base->BeginSendChatMesage(String::Concat(base->Cache->GetLifeform(sender->LifeFormId->Value)->Name, S" is away from keyboard."), ChatMessageType::CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
                break;
            }
        }
    }

    private: void __gc* GreeterBotExample_OnServerConnectResponse(ServerConnectResponseMessage __gc* sender, EventArgs __gc* e)
    {
        base->BeginAuthenticate(S"#######", S"###########");
    }

};

In C# (prefered language)

Code: Select all

public class GreeterBotExample : BaseBot
{
    // Methods
    public GreeterBotExample(ClientEngineInstanceConfiguration configuration) : base(configuration)
    {
        base.OnEnterWorldResponse += new ClientEngineInstance.EnterWorldResponseDelegate(this.GreeterBotExample_OnEnterWorldResponse);
        base.OnServerConnectResponse += new ClientEngineInstance.ServerConnectResponseDelegate(this.GreeterBotExample_OnServerConnectResponse);
        base.OnLifeformChatStatusChanged += new ClientEngineInstance.OnLifeformChatStatusChangedDelegate(this.GreeterBotExample_OnLifeformChatStatusChanged);
        base.Start();
    }

    private void GreeterBotExample_OnEnterWorldResponse(EnterWorldResponseMessage sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        if ((sender.LifeformId.Value != base.BotId) && (((WorldResponseCode) sender.EnumResponseCode) == WorldResponseCode.WORLD_LIFEFORM_ENTERED_SUCCESSFULLY))
        {
            base.BeginSendChatMesage(sender.LifeformName.Value + " enters...", ChatMessageRequestMessage.ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
            base.BeginSendSkyBox(sender.LifeformId.Value, "http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_lf.jpg", "http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_rt.jpg", "http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_up.jpg", "http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_dn.jpg", "http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_fr.jpg", "http://cube33.brinkster.net/media/skybox/zolsky4/zolsky04_bk.jpg");
        }
    }

    private void GreeterBotExample_OnLifeformChatStatusChanged(ChatStatusResponseMessage sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        switch (sender.ChatStatus)
        {
            case LifeformChatStatus.CHAT_STATUS_AVAILABLE:
                base.BeginSendChatMesage("Welcome back " + base.Cache.GetLifeform(sender.LifeFormId.Value).Name + ".", ChatMessageRequestMessage.ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
                break;

            case LifeformChatStatus.CHAT_STATUS_BE_RIGHT_BACK:
                base.BeginSendChatMesage(base.Cache.GetLifeform(sender.LifeFormId.Value).Name + " will be right back.", ChatMessageRequestMessage.ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
                break;

            case LifeformChatStatus.CHAT_STATUS_DO_NOT_DISTURB:
                base.BeginSendChatMesage(base.Cache.GetLifeform(sender.LifeFormId.Value).Name + " does not want to be more disturbed than this.", ChatMessageRequestMessage.ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
                break;

            case LifeformChatStatus.CHAT_STATUS_AFK:
                base.BeginSendChatMesage(base.Cache.GetLifeform(sender.LifeFormId.Value).Name + " is away from keyboard.", ChatMessageRequestMessage.ChatMessageType.CHAT_MESSAGE_PUBLIC, 0);
                break;
        }
    }

    private void GreeterBotExample_OnServerConnectResponse(ServerConnectResponseMessage sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        base.BeginAuthenticate("##########", "###########");
    }
}

Bot Extensions Diagram overview