also any info on how "mod_CanPlayerHaveAdvance()" works would be appreciated... does the program automatically check this function if you put anything in or do you have to make a call to this function somewhere else???

it seems we are both a little late in the game regarding mods, etc.. by poking around the forums and looking at people's pages i am gathering some info to make a start at it. you wanna maybe try and work together and share info?

However, I'm currently working on extensive documentation for SLIC2, which will (hopefully) make it understandable for everyone, even for people without programming experience. Also, after the patch is released, Activision has promised to give out documentation as well, which will no doubt prove invaluable.

In the meantime, the documentation on SLIC1 is still very useful and also, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me: I've been working with SLIC2 for several months now (though it has undergone quite some changes in that time), so if I can't help you, most likely nobody can (well, except for the Activisioners of course)

Though I have only very limited experiences with C++ myself (still using either regular C or Java (or VB)), I wouldn't say SLIC is just C++, but it does resemble it as far as syntax goes. I've found that saying that it's 'just C++' only deters people with little or no programming-experience from experimenting with SLIC, which is unjustified 'cause I believe anyone could learn it.
One difference between C++ and SLIC is that SLIC doesn't have real classes. What you refer to as classes are in fact no more than structs: objects with several variables attached to them. They can't have their own functions or whatever. All functions in the game are 'regular' functions (the majority of which are documented in the SLIC documentation Mr Ogre wrote for CtPI).

The mod_CanPlayerHaveAdvance() and similar functions are really one of the most exciting new features of SLIC2. It indeed works as you describe: they're checked automaticly, just use it the same way it's used in the Alexander scenario and it will give you unpresidented power over what people can and can't build or research.

yes that would be cool... im still trying to get a feel for how exactly slic works and how it and the program relate. but id be glad to share knowledge- after all two minds work better then one right? hey email me maybe u have AIM or icq so we can talk in realtime!
"lozina@cyburban.com"

Locotus: im currently trying to implement my idea on giving certain units prerequisite buildings. (like in order to build a fighter that city must have an airport + factory etc... whatever is rational unilke the current tech tree!!!) It's a pretty simple thing to do using mod_CanCityBuildUnit if i can figure out how to activate it... i also have lots of other cool ideas for ctp2 i cant wait to learn all the triggers and handlers so i can start on a mod. the thing is- i made a necessary scenario substructure under the ctp2 directory and put in only one file in \default\gamedata as mymod.slc (i assume the game uses default txt files for all other data u do not include under scenario subdirectories) in this slic file is a simple bit of code i copied off the nuclear scenario:

"int_f mod_CanCityBuildBuilding(city_t theCity, int_t theBuilding)
{
if (theBuilding == BuildingDB(IMPROVE_AIRPORT)) {
return 0;
} else {
return 1;
}
}
"

Iozina,
Paul caught one problem but another is that you should either rename your file scenario.slc or 'include' it in scenario.slc using the line '#include "mymod.slc"'. If you don't do this, SLIC won't be able to find the code.

code:

---

int_f mod_CanCityBuildUnit(city_t theCity, int_t theUnit) {
   if (theUnit == UnitDB(UNIT_FIGHTER)) {
      if (CityHasBuilding(theCity, "IMPROVE_AIRPORT") && CityHasBuilding(theCity, "IMPROVE_FACTORY")) {
         return 1;
      } else {
         return 0;
      }
   }
   return 1;
}

---

To me that seems the most difficult part of upgrading. People are smart enough to understand what needs to be done, but the AI doesnt and its not always easy it tell it what to do