We seem to be entering a phase of work on FcPro where a version of it is
evolving which we're calling the "Solver Evaluation Edition" FCS is, of
course, the first addition, and we now have Patsolve partially integrated.
We do not consider that the problem with playing back FCS move sequences
is a "bug". A better description is that it is an incompatibility between
the two programs. We would not consider modifying FcPro itself to
accommodate the move format of FCS. A solution to the problem would be
possible, and the methodology which should be used would be to insert a
layer of code in the interface software to convert the FCS moves into moves
that would be usable by FcPro.
The moves which could be fed into FcPro would not have to be moves that
would conform to M/S Freecells multiple-card moves. The best universal
standard to adopt for interfacing move sequences, we have decided on further
analysis, would be single-card moves. After all, if one were to play
Freecell with a "hardware" deck of playing cards, one would be moving one
card at a time. And FcPro can accept all moves as single-card moves,
although there is one further wrinkle that would need to be added -- the
automatic moves to the foundation, which are made by M/S Freecell and should
be made by any Freecell-playing software. These moves should be assumed to
have been made by FcPro, and omitted from the moves delivered to FcPro,
otherwise they can cause an error in some circumstances.
If someone could be found who has the capability and time to write the
interface package, I would be glad to provide the interface specs and the
source code for the connecting modules.
I will soon be sending to Shlomi a copy of the new "Build 6" of FcPro
version 6.5, the "Solver Evaluation Edition". In this version, I have
changed the "Illegal Move" announcement, when using FCS, to be an
information message explaining the situation, and also advising that the
full solution as delivered by FCS can be found in a file named "FCSSolution.
txt". BTW, the fraction of hands which cannot be played on FcPro is
approximately 30%, and the other 70% play back normally without
interruption.
Best regards, --------------Adrian Ettlinger
Received on Sat Dec 08 2001 - 20:37:27 IST