Pat file error handling in version 4.4 and 4.5 of the Palace Server Software

One of the major differences between version 4.4 and 4.5 of the palace server software is how the server handles errors in the pat file. The pat file is the file that contains the definition of the rooms and scripts on your palace. When you create new rooms, add doors and scripts, etc - your changes are recorded in the pat file.

Errors occur in your pat file for various reasons. Some of the older palace clients have serious bugs that caused errors in the pat file when you are authoring. Errors can also occur if you add a new script and you make a typing or formatting error in the script. It dosen't have to be a huge error - just a quote mark out of place or a mispelled iptscrae command. The iptscrae language (the language that server scripts are written in) was also modified between 4.4 and 4.5 so some scripts that used to work just fine may not work anymore.

Generally speaking, nothing happens immediately when you make an error. The error is recorded in the pat file along with everything else and is not a serious problem until you restart your palace. Regardless of the version of your palace server, the server starts reading in the pat file when it starts up - adding each room in order, loading doors, scripts, pictures, etc. The difference between the two versions is what happens when the server encounters an error while loading this file.

Error Handling in version 4.4 - When a version 4.4 palace encountrs an error in loading the pat file, it simply stops loading and keeps whatever it had loaded up to the point of the error. What this means is that any rooms in the pat file after the error are not loaded. If this happens, what you will see is that your palace will start just fine but when you log on, some of your rooms are missing. This bug in the palace software is commonly referred to as the lost rooms bug.

To fix this problem you have to shut down your palace and edit your pat file to correct the problem and get your rooms back. There is, unfortunately, no way to repair the error other than manually editing your pat file.

This problem is compounded by the fact that when you shut down your palace, the server writes the partial set of rooms it managed to load back to the disk, overwriting your pat file - losing the rooms after the error. For this reason, Chatserve uses a modified startup procedure when you start your palace. The pat file is copied off to a backup file prior to starting your palace. Thatb way, if you get the lost rooms bug, you can use the backup copy of the pat file to repair your palace and get your rooms back.

Error Handling in version 4.5 - When a version 4.5 palace encountrs an error in loading the pat file, it stops, records the error it found in the log file and refuses to start the palace. What this means is that any error in your pat file will keep your palace from starting.

If this happens what you will see is that your palace will not start and there will be some comments in your log file to help you locate the problem and fix it.

The fix is the same as for version 4.4. Find the error in the pat file and fix it. If there are multiple errors in your pat file, you may have to repeat this procedure several times to find and fix each problem. The difference is a)your palace will not start until you fix the problem and b)the log file will give you a hint as to where the problem is.

So the choice is yours on which behavior you want to live with. Neither of them is really optimal but that's what we're stuck with. if you want a suggestion - go with version 4.5. Backup your pat file regularly so that you have a quick recovery in case of a problem. Really look at those scripts you got from a friend. Understand them as much as you can and learn to recognize the common errors. Ultimately - the choice is up to you.