What is this ?
This is a Batch IO Server which can work on Windows (cmd.exe) and *Nixes like GNU/Linux (with Dos9 Project).
What is a Batch IO Server ?
A Batch IO Server is a concept of external command directly derivated from Darkbatcher (the creator of batbox) in its command SuperBox, the main difference between these 2 commands is the way to send a command, while darkbox uses stdin/stdout, Superbox uses named pipes.
So, the aim is to build a thing, and do not detroy it to rebuild it again
, just keep the thing built how long we need it to get a better speed compared to others.Where to download it ?
You can download darkbox in two version, they are almost the same (just executable flags in the Unix version
).Windows download : http://sachadee.org/Ts/darkbox/darkbox-dist.7z
Unix download : http://sachadee.org/Ts/darkbox/darkbox-dist.tar.xz
What features are supported in darkbox (only the IO server) ?
Throught the output server :
- Basic output operations (ASCII, Display text, new-line, cursor movement, local color, clear)
- Darkbox-internal operations (internal-wait/display-delay, quit (to stop properly darkbox))
- Advanced output operations (cursor origin, color reset, hide/show cursor)
Throught the executable it-self :
- Get if data is available in stdin (-kbh)
- Wait (external/batch delay) (-w t)
And throught the input server : Keyboard and mouse key handling simultaneously and possibly in non-blocking way (with -kbh).
Here are screenshots of some examples on both Windows and GNU/Linux (Archlinux)
nuancier.bat : http://pix.toile-libre.org/upload/original/1487159497.png http://pix.toile-libre.org/upload/original/1487159523.png
it.bat : http://pix.toile-libre.org/upload/original/1487159539.png http://pix.toile-libre.org/upload/original/1487159553.png
geometry.bat : http://pix.toile-libre.org/upload/original/1487159567.png http://pix.toile-libre.org/upload/original/1487159584.png
Here is the official english documentation, this explain how you should work with darkbox :
Code: Select all
__ __ __ __
| \ /\ |__) |__/ |__) / \ \_/
|__/ /~~\ | \ | \ |__) \__/ / \
Darkbox fully portable fast I/O server, powerfull graphic command
Fully compatible with Dos9 Project.
Syntaxes:
1) (process, code or "launcher" part) | darkbox
2) darkbox -i | (process, code or "launcher" part)
3) darkbox -w t
4) darkbox -kbh (reduced: -k)
1) Start darkbox as output server.
2) Start darkbox as input server.
3) Wait t ms.
4) Return 1 if data is available in stdin,
should be used for non-blocking input.
NOTE: "bh" is not required but recommended for
"a better code", so it's just cosmetic.
Output commands passing:
Commands pass to stdin, so any command like type, more, echo,
<nul set/p "=text" or whatever you can imagine send command to darkbox.
So, you can store commands to files to reuses them easly, like sprites or
something else.
Also, darkbox accept both new syntax ('-') and batbox/tinybg syntax ('/') to
begin command.
Output command format:
Commands follow this format
-(execution_count)<commands as letters>
REMARK: '-' can be replaced by '/'
So each <commands as letters> run (execution_count) times (or 1 time if undefined).
NOTES:
- You can escape chracters (" or spaces without double quotes) with '\'
- With double quotes, new lines are considerated as characters like any others.
- No commands will produce an error (Parsing error: No command specified).
- Commands should be in litterals ONLY (Parsing error: Invalid litterals)
- Commands are case-insensitive.
TRICK:
You can write your commands througth multiples echoes :
echo -5dn "This is a"
echo "small text"
echo "throught"
echo "multiples"
echo "lines"
Launcher (and working variations):
Official launchers:
Original (first) :
@Echo off
call game.bat | darkbox
Original with Input server
@Echo off
darkbox -i | call game.bat | darkbox
Enhanced (only in one file) :
@Echo off
if defined __ goto :(code)
set __=.
call %0 %* | darkbox
set __=
pause>NUL
goto :eof
"call" is facultative
Enhanced with Input server
@Echo off
if defined __ goto :(code)
set __=.
darkbox -i | call %0 %* | darkbox
set __=
pause>NUL
goto :eof
"call" is facultative.
Unofficial launcher (variants):
@echo off
if not defined $ (
set "$=1"
(
call "%~f0" %*
) | darkbox
exit/b
)
Output commands reference:
ASCII:
-a Integer
Usage : Print the character corresponding to the integer
Newline:
-n
Usage : Go to the next line
Color:
-c color
color is in hexadecimal format.
Usage : Change the current color
0xF0 : Background
0x0F : Foreground
Goto:
-g x y
Usage : Move cursor to (x;y)
Hide/Show cursor:
-h 0/1
Usage : Hide or show cursor
Clear Screen:
-s
Usage : Clear console
Origin:
-o x y
Usage : Change goto origin
Reset:
-r
Usage : Reset foreground and background colors
Quit:
-q
Usage : Properly stop darkbox
Wait:
-w t
Usage : Wait t miliseconds
NOTE: Wait is internal to darkbox, it
do not interrupt batch execution.
REMARK: Wait flush stdout even if t is null.
Input callback reference:
Mouse:
m x y b
x: Mouse X position
y: Mouse Y position
b: Mouse button
Keyboard press:
k key
key: Key code.
List of supported mouse buttons :
1: NOTHING (mouse movement)
2: LEFT_BUTTON
3: RIGHT_BUTTON
4: DOUBLE LEFT_BUTTON (portability issues known (*NIX))
5: DOUBLE RIGHT_BUTTON (portability issues known (*NIX))
6: MIDDLE_BUTTON
7: SCROLL_UP (portability issues known (Win32))
8: SCROLL_DOWN (portability issues known (Win32))
9: RELEASE
See also:
Official post : http://batch.xoo.it/t5526-Dev-Darkbox-TSnake41.htm
Snake game : http://batch.xoo.it/t5614-Batch-Snake-IK-DC.htm
Exquation : http://batch.xoo.it/t5654-Batch-Exquation-IK-DC.htm
tests for examples of uses
C library core/core_i in "lib" directory (part of darkbox project)
Dos9 project : dos9.org
darkbox_i and darkbox_tIf you need more help, you can ask me or see examples in the "tests" directory
.
)
