scient replied

[Buster's Uncle]

I've put the word out a few places in the last two days about the code database being in the works - any progress to report while people are looking in?

[Buster's Uncle]

Ah.  What he was typing while I asked:

I have made leaps and bounds working on the database over the past two weeks. I really am starting to get an idea of all the different classes for the game and how they work together. Well, at least in my head. I've been trying to mark up and identify as much as possible in the database, especially related to the interface code and how it interacts with logic and structures. I have merged 95% of what was in the PPC binary into my database related to function names and custom variable parameters. As of now, my database is more complete along with the huge amount that I have identified on my own. I have tried to keep the same naming conventions so everything stays fairly uniform.

I've decided on a cut off and release date, 6/15. I have done most of what I wanted to accomplish for a public release and should finish up the rest by then.

[scient]

I'll make a new thread once I post it. Perhaps others can help identify structure components or unidentified functions that I overlooked. Or any mistakes. I am fairly through but things can slip through. A lot of work will need to go into figuring out what makes up the struct for each class. I'll continue to work on it after public release, perhaps make a 2nd release at end of summer.

My plans for the release package will be the compressed IDA database that will work with v6.8 or v6.9. I will include the unpatched SMACX v2.00 exe I originally used.  This might be useful to those that want to export a map file for ollydbg or debug with IDA.

[Buster's Uncle]

You'll want to include an appeal for feedback and what-not in your OP, then.  I can get some eyes on it...

[Buster's Uncle]

In case you have any interest in talking it up yourself:
http://www.civgaming.net/forums/showthread.php?p=164625#post164625
http://www.weplayciv.com/forums/showthread.php?9169-SMACX-Code-Database&p=303165.0
http://apolyton.net/showthread.php/213256-SMACX-Code-Database
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=568329
-And I can point you at a few spots on Facebook, too, where the real numbers are, if not as high a percentage hardcore tech d00dz...

I'll let you know if there's any substantive feedback/questions.  One of the Facebook postings got an almost-instant "Woah, haven't fooled around with SMAC/X for awhile but this is almost biblical " and a "What does this actually allow, in practical terms for non-coders?" that I don't feel qualified to answer more than "Nothing - but it makes mods you can use more likely..." which I haven't done - yet...

[scient]

I'll pop into those threads when it gets closer to 6/15. Pretty sure I have accounts on all of those forums. And thank you! That would be appreciated.

You are correct. From the stand point of someone non-technical it probably means little. For modding? I hope it to be a cornucopia of information. You want to mess around with scroll bars? Easy. You want to see all the functions related to the infographic windows at bottom of main window? Done. You want to poke around all the diplomacy or battle code? Or perhaps the internal structure of a "unit" stored in memory and all the references to a unit's status? Done. Stuff like this and much more. The goal for me at least is to have a fully marked up database that could be used to start decompiling whole portions of the game.

[Buster's Uncle]

I'll just quote that from you when I need to bump the thread in the FB Alpha Centauri Players' Group.  -And it will tend to do more good for you to comment later as far as bumping the forum threads -the others will probably stay topped, but the CFC one probably won't stay topped all day today, because someone's asking Petek install questions. 

You know, of course, the more actively we push, the more techies you'll get - which is a win for everyone involved...

[Buster's Uncle]

Worth mentioning - if we get enough hard tech talk going, a Source Code Database subforum would take me longer to log in to the admin panel and scroll down to Boards and Topics than to make a sub w/ mod powers for you for ease of sorting if you like.  A Tech D00dz usergroup would also be doable, and that would make making the sub private possible - but I wouldn't much want that last, public discussion being good best for drawing more tech d00dz...

-Also, you're entitled to Staff Room access, but I never offered 'cause I figure you're not curious about seeing the staff yelling at me when I'm bad in Rec Commons and suchlike, and the nuts and blots of running the place - but you're in if you say different...

[scient]

I'm all for open sharing of any decompiling info. Not sure if it's necessary to make a private sub. Let's see how much interest it garners. I won't be able to spend as much time on the project as I have past couple weeks. I'll still be working on improving the database and checking in. For now a thread is probably ok, but we could always move it into it's own sub. I just hope that it can be of use to the community, I've poured countless hours into it haha.

I know DrazharLn was interested in hooking functions into compilable dll. This might be a good step if we can redirect certain functions and inline any assembly (like globals) that haven't been broken down yet. I plan on asking friend of mine who is a brilliant coder for some advice on the best way to tackle this.
 
As for Staff Room, sure!

[Buster's Uncle]

Okay - you're in.  Scroll down to the bottom of the page - one advantage is that I hate PMs, so something calling for discretion is relatively private, there, if you don't mind that darn Draz seeing.  Read/post opinions about anything else you feel like.  You are the Boss of Me -somewhat- in your domain here -Yitzi, too- so in there's a good place to yell at me when I'm bad in here.

[Solver]

Just completely blown away by the disassembly effort and the IDA work.

[Buster's Uncle]

SMACX v2.0 Analysis

This is a work in progress of a complete analysis on the SMACX v2.0 binary.
There is much left to do regarding filling in missing functions as well as
details regarding internal structures. It is provided as is. There might be
mistakes as meticulous as I am. If you find somewhere that I did something
incorrectly, please post on the forums and let me know. I plan to continue
my analysis on the binary as time permits. However, I hope by releasing the
database in its current state that the community will benefit.

http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=341

I spent an hour or two posting/linking this at the forums listed above and on Facebook.  Let's hope we can draw some tech input...

[DrazharLn]

I've got a lot of work on at the moment, but I'm really appreciative of scient's work and I've already learnt stuff I hope to use in PRACX from looking through the database

[scient]

Glad you got some use out of it. If anyone has any questions about the database I will be happy to try and answer them the best I can. I've already started working on next draft of it. I'll aim for a release either end of summer or sometime early in the fall. Since the majority of the functions have been identified, I plan on working trying to flush out details about internal structures used by the game and improve upon the ones I've identified. This will increase understanding of code flow and logic across multiple classes and functions.

[Bearu]

The IDA database continues to tell me that I need a newer version of IDA Free to open the database file even though I have the most recent version of the free software from the website. What version and type of license was the database created under? I might have to employ a slightly creative measure to extract the information from the database.