Improved code architecture and network code
For those who find it inconvenient to download the large 12.3 MB file, I'll
offer a smaller demo, in addition to the regular one, with the next release. It
will only contain one map (instead of nine), but will be in all other respects
equivalent to the full version. File size will then certainly be able to be
kept below 2 MB - a file size much more friendly to people with convential
dial-up internet connections.
The release of the current version (August 2001), finally allows me to abandon
much of the old code: the non-networked standalone version Ca3Dgl, the
dedicated server CaDS, and the test client Ca3DClnt, are all
replaced by the new universal Ca3DE program. It fulfills the role of
all of its predecessors, and exceeds them in that it will also run the single
player mode via the local hosts network.
I am currently reviewing the code architecture: this has become necessary in
order to make the existing code cleaner, and to more easily handle future
improvements in the network coding (i.e. I want to make sure that delta
compression and client prediction are among the new features in
the coming network release).
Ca3DE uses UDP/IP for all its networking purposes. It also implements its
reliable message channel via UDP, using a packet numbering scheme.