(no subject)

[prog]

Today was all video games and attempts at Javolin release-engineering. Wading around in Java code is one thing, actually trying to package the stuff up for public consumption is quite another. The thing about Java applications is that their end-products have so many different morphologies; we may end up releasing, all under the same version-number banner:

• a .jar file containing only the Volity project's original code & resources


• a .jar file containing both original stuff and third-party libraries


• a .jnlp file that will magically do the right thing via Java Web Start (I have my doubts about this; I've rarely seen it work right on a Mac!)


• a Mac .dmg file, containing a Mac OS X-ready application


• a Windows executable (though I personally have no clue how to make these)


• a Linux executable (? or maybe the jar file is enough)

At any rate, we're inches away from the first Javolin release. While it's still far from fit for use by the casual gamers we see as our core userbase, it is complete enough for game developers to start using, and that's really cool.

Once this has floated I plan on starting to write a development tutorial. I sorta wrote one last year (currently online as the Volity Developer's Guide), but I don't think I went far enough with it; it was more of a narrative than the step-by-step-with-figures-and-exercises deal that I'm envisioning now. It will be a challenge; I've never written something like that before. Everything I write tends to turn into a windy narrative, no matter how technical a mindset I try to wear.

Comments

[misuba.livejournal.com]

I vote for JNLP; the Puzzle Pirates crew has done it, so it's doable.

Even if it's just a .zip file it's a positive step. I went poking around the CVS repo a few days ago looking to build (I'm on Windows) and I got scared off.

[prog.livejournal.com]

It does seem to be popular, but it doesn't seem to work on current Mac configurations, at least not without weirdo tweaking of the XML file. After hours of work and research I got past the version mismatch and security problems, right up to getting my Mac's JWS to say "Starting application", at which point it hangs. Sigh.

[temvald.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure that I've tested out my JNLP file under OSX before and had it work. I'll be happy to give help if you need any.

Executable jar files are nice, depending on what kind of third-party dependencies you have. And whether or not the dependency files are signed. And whether or not you're using a third-party JSSE provider....

[prog.livejournal.com]

I find the whole business of signing jars (which I learned about yesterday) a bit twee. Why do Java programs have to act all self-importantly paranoid in a world where, I believe, the act of running a program already means that one trusts that it's not going to steal your credit cards or wipe your hard drive?

Regardless, I'd love the JNLP help. Please get in touch when you can go over it with me.