[MUD-Dev] The Player Wimping Guidebook

[Patrick Dughi]

On Thu, 3 Aug 2000, Matthew Mihaly wrote:

> On Thu, 3 Aug 2000, Matt Chatterley wrote:
>
> > The only time that I've actually used a game-wide pwipe has been
> > inbetween testing stages where vast and reaching changes have occured
> > (generally these cause old pfiles to be incompatible with the new code).
>
> A couple people have mentioned this as reasons for wiping the player base.
> I don't understand this. We've changed database formats and just converted
> the data. LegendMud has done the same. It's not hard to just convert data
> from one format to another, so why not just do that?
>

        I don't think it'll add anything, but for your personal reference; 
there are more people that run muds than know how to program.  Of those
that know how to program, only 1/3 perhaps, have the ability to do a
simple version-based conversion and less have the ability to write a
dynamic versioning system or some other easily extendable hack.  Many
people claim to run muds with the express intent of learning to program
(and some actually succeed).

        Since I've been working as a programmer, I have to deal with the
fact that barely 1 out of 10 programming applicants understands what a
pointer is, or how memory allocation works in C.  The real world is like
this too - fresh graduates from college astound me with the varying degree
of ability they demonstrate.  Most are unable to write a simple list-based
sorting function in any language, given the proper tools and a reasonable
amount of time.  Of course, some already have it scrawled out on a napkin
back, or scoff openly at such a pithy request.

	My current unofficial evaluation of a potential programmer is to
give them a copy of duff's device and ask them what it does.  If they
laugh, or act bemused, then usually it means they know what they're doing.

							PjD




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