What database?

caracarn · 07-18-2003, 05:58 PM

Not sure if this is the right forum for it, but what database is OOTP designed in? For the developers who work on the .dat files, what are you using?

caracarn · 07-19-2003, 02:46 PM

OK, I see all these requests, and since I know programming, I was hoping someone could tell me what tools Pierre and Cato, etc. use to do their coding in? Obviously there is a way to edit the .dat files, but I'm having a grand old time trying to figure out what format they are in. If I can figure out how to get at those files I might be able to help with some of these programming requests, adn I also have a few ideas of my own for utilities I might work on, but I just need this little bit of help first.

couriers · 07-19-2003, 03:18 PM

If you want to edit DAT files just follow the advise given in these two threads:

Link 1

Link 2

I believe that the game and most of the utilities would be programmed in C++

caracarn · 07-19-2003, 03:54 PM

Thanks couriers. I was suprised no one responded, though I guess the three guys that do mods might not want too many others working on things. I figured I'd have to do what Pierre explains in Link 1, but was hoping not to have to. Plus I've used a hex editor, but the file is still just crap, so I'll have to try some of the others mentioned.

Thanks again!

Killebrew · 07-20-2003, 01:49 AM

I would imagine that the game's DB of information was designed in whatever version of C++ Markus uses. The DAT files that are not straight text files are compiled data files and the executable that Markus coded (OOTP#.exe) looks up information in these compiled data files based on the dat's files header info which holds the address in the dat file for each bit of data stored within. You can view these dat files (the non-text dat files) with any hex editor but since they are compiled files there is little you can do to edit them and the non-verbiage data will just look like strange ascii code. That's because it is compiled, and the same thing applies to viewing the OOTP#.exe file with a hex editor. The people that have written programs to capture the data from these files would most likely have asked Markus directly for the header information of whichever dat files they wanted to pull info from, and it's possible some of this required info is stored in the EXE as well.

About forum programmers not giving you this info: I doubt Markus would have provided them with this info if he thought they would give it away to anyone who asked - I am pretty sure he makes his living off this after all

. If you have programming skills and want to create a game add-on why not email Markus and explain what you would like to do - maybe he can help you out or at least explain things in better detail than I am able to.

Carlton · 07-20-2003, 07:16 PM

If I can't open it with notepad and change it...I stay away

07-18-2003, 05:58 PM	#1
caracarn Minors (Single A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 94	What database? Not sure if this is the right forum for it, but what database is OOTP designed in? For the developers who work on the .dat files, what are you using?

07-20-2003, 01:49 AM	#5
Killebrew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 3,326	I would imagine that the game's DB of information was designed in whatever version of C++ Markus uses. The DAT files that are not straight text files are compiled data files and the executable that Markus coded (OOTP#.exe) looks up information in these compiled data files based on the dat's files header info which holds the address in the dat file for each bit of data stored within. You can view these dat files (the non-text dat files) with any hex editor but since they are compiled files there is little you can do to edit them and the non-verbiage data will just look like strange ascii code. That's because it is compiled, and the same thing applies to viewing the OOTP#.exe file with a hex editor. The people that have written programs to capture the data from these files would most likely have asked Markus directly for the header information of whichever dat files they wanted to pull info from, and it's possible some of this required info is stored in the EXE as well. About forum programmers not giving you this info: I doubt Markus would have provided them with this info if he thought they would give it away to anyone who asked - I am pretty sure he makes his living off this after all. If you have programming skills and want to create a game add-on why not email Markus and explain what you would like to do - maybe he can help you out or at least explain things in better detail than I am able to.

07-20-2003, 07:16 PM	#6
Carlton Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,765	If I can't open it with notepad and change it...I stay away __________________ "I am at that stage of my life where I keep myself out of arguments. I am 100% self sufficient spiritually, emotionally & financially. Even if you say 1+1=5, you are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. Enjoy!"

07-19-2003, 02:46 PM	#2
caracarn Minors (Single A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 94	OK, I see all these requests, and since I know programming, I was hoping someone could tell me what tools Pierre and Cato, etc. use to do their coding in? Obviously there is a way to edit the .dat files, but I'm having a grand old time trying to figure out what format they are in. If I can figure out how to get at those files I might be able to help with some of these programming requests, adn I also have a few ideas of my own for utilities I might work on, but I just need this little bit of help first.

07-19-2003, 03:18 PM	#3
couriers All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Fort Lauderdale Fla Posts: 932	If you want to edit DAT files just follow the advise given in these two threads: Link 1 Link 2 I believe that the game and most of the utilities would be programmed in C++

07-19-2003, 03:54 PM	#4
caracarn Minors (Single A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 94	Thanks couriers. I was suprised no one responded, though I guess the three guys that do mods might not want too many others working on things. I figured I'd have to do what Pierre explains in Link 1, but was hoping not to have to. Plus I've used a hex editor, but the file is still just crap, so I'll have to try some of the others mentioned. Thanks again!