There was a great deal of discussion on ConsimWorld’s forum regarding making non-linear UNDOs. I have a module, imported from ADC2, which I wish to modify to accomplish this. Here is what I want to do:
I want VASSAL to remember the starting location of say 200 units on a map. I want be able to move all or some of the 200 pieces in any order to any ending location on that map.
The critical feature is that want to be able to go back and easily return say the 26th piece moved (called it “26”) to its start location at any time during the move. (Don’t worry about the legality or effect upon any other unit, just return 26 to its starting location.) Now I want to be able to move 26 again to a new location retaining 26’s the memory of its original starting location but discarding any memory of 26’s first move and the location to which it initially moved. I now want VASSAL to remember 26’s new ending location.
I want to repeatedly do that to any other piece or all pieces that moved or may move during the turn. Maybe move one unit back and forth several times. In the end, I want VASSAL to remember just the starting and final ending location of all 200 pieces.
I would also like VASSAL NOT to put those lines and dots all over the map – no lines and no dots. And, I would like VASSAL to NOT make a log file thing that shows all moves and UNDOs, just notes and die rolls. It would be ideal if upon instruction, VASSAL would list, as the logfile, the beginning and ending of units, but nothing else. That could be done before adding any notes or die rolls.
That way we could move an impulse (there are two impulses per Player-Turn), list the starting and ending location of all units, add notes, roll dice, implement results (some small moves and removal of units), start a new impulse second move (again remembering only the new starting and ending location of units of this impulse), list these new starting and ending locations, add notes, roll dice, implement results, save the whole logfile and transmit it to an opponent for his turn.
Now, from playing VASSAL I can surmise that VASSAL currently remembers the starting location of all 200 pieces. I know this because whether I open a log file or a saved game, all the pieces are shown in their original locations. OK, VASSAL is part way there.
I asked for help from Joel Koepp and Tim McCarron couple of weeks ago but they have not been able to respond.
Can anyone here point me in the direction that I want to go.
I am not current in Java. I only knew it back in the mid-1990’s (Java 1.0). I guess that I will need to catch up with almost 20 years of progress.
Thanks to any body who is willing to help.