I am having some difficulty using 'SEND_STRING_TO', mostly it appears to be establishing correct pointers/handles when entities are created. i.e player1 = client1, player2 = client2, etc...

I am trying to create a server side array of all currently connected players, pointers to each players master entity, and use this to send strings to individual clients.

Setting up this part of MP is really busting my brain, and after 2 weeks of trying to crack it, I am out of ideas...

Please could someone demonstrate how I create an entity on a client & server using ent_create, and then send messages to that client specifically from the server; Without the message going to all clients.

I believe SEND_STRING_TO(entpointer, stringtosend) should do the trick, but I just can't seem to get entpointer correct.

Any help, even examples of code would be really helpful. TIA

note: Running A6 Pro.

here is the code I used. note that I'm not using an array, as there are 4 players max. and I'm not actually using send_xx_to, all clients get the same data in my system. too complicated otherwise..

Thanks for the incredibly fast response

I am still not clear how you identify ClientA over ClientB.

when the client runs an ent_create(etc, etc, etc); how do I establish pointers on both the server and all clients?

I presume pl1, pl2 etc, are entity* definitions. How do you ensure that the pointers are correct for server and clients?

Thanks for the help, it's much appreciated. If it helps I can post my code?

the only way i managed to achieve this was by sending a string to all clients and then from that string working out if it was intended for them and responding as needed else just ignoring it

there're new commands added in A7 (no use to you i know) but i think that they highlight some of the required events and commands in a6 don't exist
send_string (STRING*)
send_string_to (ENTITY*, STRING*)
send_string_id (var client_id, STRING*)

hope this helps somewhat...

Assign ID to all clients on server...
Example : number_of_cl += 1; my.id = number_of_cl
Use str_ functions and execute to assign a pointer with that ID to that entity and wait 1 second. Send the ID.
Client side , start a function that loops endlessly. In this function , go thru the list of entities , and if the current entity ID pointer is assigned , do nothing. Otherwise , assign it to that entity , again with str_ functions and execute.

If you dont understand it read it again...

Epsilon gave a great answer! I would add that A7 has a client_id that may accomplish the same thing.

Thanks Epsolon, this may well make a great deal more sense, and allow me to get closer. The honest truth is a feel that I have created pointers as you describe, the trick is how I should reference them from the server to SEND_STRING_TO.

I've noticed several functions including things such as:

SEND_SKILL(EntityPointer.Skillx, "String to send"); where .Skillx is maybe a handle pointer to the entity?

Where as my use:
SEND_STRING_TO(EntityPointer, "String to send");

Doesn't seem to work. Now either my 'EntityPointer' is incorrect, or indeed my use of the function is incorrect. I've used ent_next to search through all entities, ensuring that a client entity with some unique identifier, such as ._client flag and playerID == n, but when I send string to this ent, I get nothing on the client.

IS it a case that I use SEND_STRING("String to Send") where "String to Send" includes text references that the Client then sorts through to see if the message was intended for it? i.e on recieving string from server, check if the message was for me? Compare my ID to the reference in the string?

I will refine my test code and post here, maybe you will be able to help me get my thick head around it. This should not be this hard

Thanks for the assistance both, your patience is exemplary

@MrGuest: Yes it always seems the function you need is better delivered in the next version There's always a next version...

fastlane69 , thats from my attempt at MMO

I think , for sending strings , you need to actualy put a string pointer there...I mean , player_name_str for example...to be predefined in your script. Otherwise the client wont know in wich string to save that text :P
Btw , I used and needed IDs only for the updating. When a client receives an array with updates , it updates the entity with the ID stored in the first variable...
Another 'ent type' skill identifies players and dummy entities or other objects...Thats how I know wich one is a player.

Dude, I do the exact same thing in my MMO since it pre-dates client_ID.

Ok so I am still not getting this...so


1.Server starts up (all is calm)
2.Client Joins Server (Server Event! new Client)
3.Server sends everyone available player ID number
4.Client without ID assigns this as its identification number

some time later...

5.Server wants to send message to the client who got the ID
6.Server checks all entities until entity with correct ID is selected
7.Server sends message to that entity
8.Client that created the entity, gets a message???

I'm trying to understand the 'hand-shake' that goes on in order for the server to identify this client.

I will ensure my code follows this process (unless corrected) and see what happens. I'm still expecting the SEND_STRING_TO to not work. I hope I am wrong