Chips Challenge for TI-Nspire

[apcalc]

I was looking over the code for Tile World, and it looks like it might be pretty easy to port it to the Nspire instead of completly starting from scratch.  It seems as if it does not use too many functions that we don't already have for the Nspire.  The main problem would be printf(, but I could just use dialog boxes. This would lead to several advantages in the game:

1. I would probably finish faster, as I would not have to start from scratch
2. It would read the original .dat files for Chips Challenge, which would save me time from importing levels
3. As calc84 said, the game would be very accurate
4. No level editor would need to be written, as a computer one could be used to make it into a .dat file, which could be used by my program

The only drawback to this would be that I could not include the original level .dat file.  But, I am sure I could get permission to include the CC Level Pack 2 .dat file!

[JonimusPrime]

Yeah, Tile World is a pretty fun clone, but iirc it doesn't support entering passwords to go to a specific level, but maybe that was because I was using an old build for Windows CE.

Also since I have the Full Windows Entertainment Pack from Win95 getting the .dat file won't be an issue for me.

[apcalc]

I was almost sure when I was going through the source I saw a function that allowed entering a password, but if it is not there, I will just add it in.

[DJ Omnimaga]

What does printf( do? Does it just display text? Having text seems like a major issue on the Nspire from what I read so far. Couldn't you just create a custom font routine? Even in TI-83+ BASIC it's possible (although it's very large compared to xLIB/DCS, Axe and ASM)

[calcdude84se]

Exactly right, DJ. He'll probably end up needing to make a custom routine (or using dialog boxes, like he said).
printf() is difficult to get working because, on the Nspire, it doesn't output to the screen, but to an internal serial port, IIRC.

[Hot_Dog]

Exactly right, DJ. He'll probably end up needing to make a custom routine (or using dialog boxes, like he said).
printf() is difficult to get working because, on the Nspire, it doesn't output to the screen, but to an internal serial port, IIRC.

The nice thing about a custom font is, though, one can create "letters" that aren't exactly letters.  In S.A.D., I use Belthium Crystal Icons, Oxygen Icons, and Lobster Icons as part of the font.

[apcalc]

Well, bwang wrote a DrawStr( function that I could use also.  printf( essentinally draws text to the screen, but it also allows you to add numbers, other variables to the string.  I don't think this will be too much of a problem, thankfully!

[DJ Omnimaga]

I wonder if eventually ExtendeD or someone else will write a text routine for Ndless. Text seems like an essential programming command to me . And yea Hot Dog. In old FF games, they had stuff such as armor and weapon icons.

[calcdude84se]

Ah, yes, I forgot the 'f', for 'format' . You've checked the source to make sure it doesn't over-use this, I assume?

[apcalc]

Well, I really have only had time to skim over the source, as I am busy with work for school, but once I have some free time (probably this weekend) I will look through the source a bit closer to make sure it won't be too hard to port.

[calcdude84se]

Yeah, writing your own printf() would be a pain. Does C for the Nspire have the sprintf() function, which you could use with DrawStr()?

[apcalc]

Sprintf is defined for the Nspire, but I am not sure if it can be used (it might be like printf, only for RS232).  I will have to check with someone to find out exactly, as I never have really used it.

[calcdude84se]

sprintf() writes to a string, which is exactly why I suggested it.
Coupled with DrawStr(), your problems are solved
Edit: Well, mostly

[Hot_Dog]

So how were these routines discovered?  I know TI didn't just GIVE them to people who used ndless!

[apcalc]

I believe the Ndless team disassembled the OS and looked through them to find all of the functions.