From: Matthew Feadler <matthew@...>
Date: 2005-12-03T03:24:10+09:00
Subject: Re: Optimizing for Newbies

damphyr wrote:
> Jeeez, I haven't seen Ars Magica in a long, long while. Will probably
> look at the code, but I just had to admire the fact that it still exists
> (I've got almost all of 3rd Eds).
> I always loved it (a lot more than D&D a bit less then CoC :) )
> This brings back memories.

In reverse order:

<chuckles> Glad I could spark the recollection, Damphyr.  It certainly 
is my favorite system.

Simon, I was unfamiliar with 'Struct' before your mention.  Loking 
briefly here: http://www.rubycentral.com/book/ref_c_struct.html, it 
doesn't seem there's a way to establish relationships between the 
elements of the 'Struct', which I think defeats my purpose.  Please 
enlighten me if I've misunderstood.  Also, these

  rolls = Array.new(2){Die.new(10).roll}
  return 0 if rolls.any?{|r|r.zero?}

are very cool.  I was originally under the impression that the first 
line would create a two-element array *with the same Die instance in 
each element*, which would, of course, always result in a 0 total 
further down the code.  I've tested it now, and realize that each 
element contains a seperate Die instance.  VERY handy knowledge.  The 
second line is an example of Ruby's lovely ? notation, which I've 
noticed all over, but have yet to really grasp/master.  Thanks for this 
example.

Neoneye, I had never seen the %w in this

  attributeShortNames=%w(Int Per Str Sta Pre Com Dex Qik)

before, but looking here: http://www.rubycentral.com/book/intro.html I 
found it.  Exactly the sort of Ruby shorthand I'm looking for.  Now this

  Hash[*(attributeShortNames.zip(attributeFullNames).flatten)]

is marvellous.  A quick google 
(http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=ruby+zip+method&btnG=Search) 
doesn't give much for the zip method, so it's still a bit magical to me. 
Any references to recommend?  As for the flatten method, looking here: 
http://www.rubycentral.com/book/ref_c_array.html, I see how it works. 
Very lovely.

Thanks tremendously, all.  You've given me much food for thought and 
practice.  But don't stop advising on my account. ;)

-Matthew

-- 
Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/.