[MUD-Dev] World Persistence, flat files v/s DB v/s ??

[Ben Greear]

On Sun, 22 Mar 1998, Greg Munt wrote:

> The only real solution was to install more physical memory. The database 
> was reasonably persistent, seeing as the most recent dump available was 
> no more than 30 minutes old (if the database was dumped every 30 minutes).

I'm planning on a 128 MB system, possibly dual processors if the need
arises.  That way, the OS should be able to cache the FS fairly well,
so maybe all those writes wouldn't be so bad afterall..especially if I
keep flushes to a minimum...

>  
> > The two things I'm pondering now are binary flat files (one per object,
> > a collection of objects?? I dunno) or a database.
> 
> I'm not sure of the advantages of binary flat files over ASCII ones. I 
> would certainly advise the use of a cache, however. (Something which that 
> TinyMUD never used.)

I'm definaly not going to write a custom caching mechanism...much easier
and probably better to use the OS.

> > I'd be interested to hear any suggestions you might have.. > 
> > Also, as a java server, I don't think I can do a select on incomming
> > data.  I think a thread for every player is a bit much...any suggestions
> > here?
> 
> I do not know Java (yet) - but I would agree that a thread for every 
> socket is not the way to go.

I'm going to have to read the java docs and books a little more closely
before I'll know if that makes sense or not :)

> 
> [Bored of ScryMUD already?;)]

Heh, what fun is a completed project!  Besides, it is not too OO and
there are a million muds out there already...there are virtually no games
like what I'm proposing (that I know of at least..)


Btw, there would be a possibility of going comercial...  I would consider
trying to work as a group with someone.  The part I know least about is
the GUI end (I'm thinking polygon rendering with bitmaps filling the
polygons.)  This will not happen quickly, and it is a hobby, as I already
have a full time job..but I am dedicated to the project.  If any of you
are interested, drop me some mail...


Ben Greear (greear at cyberhighway.net)  http://www.primenet.com/~greear 
Author of ScryMUD:  mud.primenet.com 4444
http://www.primenet.com/~greear/ScryMUD/scry.html