alan@sun.uucp (Alan Marr) (03/10/86)
Goban
I have written a program that acts as an automatic go board.
The name is "goban", which is Japanese for go board. Here is a
summary of the features:
- save and restore games.
- step forwards and backwards in moves of a game.
- automatic capture of stones.
- detects ko violations and suicide moves (illegal).
- laserwriter output for board diagrams (numbered stones).
- confirmation required for irrevocable actions.
- windows and board resize when tool resizes.
- automatic handicap placement for 19 x 19 board (up to
17 stones).
- can start games with placed stones for go problems.
- default game from "Master of Go" by Kawabata.
The source for "goban" is available on the Sun 3.0 FCS software
distribution in /usr/src/sun/demo. You must compile it
yourself. It is written in the C language. I think that it is
backward compatible with 2.0 (if compiled under 2.0). Note that
game files must end in ".game", but the names supplied to goban
must be the base name without the ".game" extension. This is a
"feature" that I hope to extinguish in the next release.
Since the source is being distributed it is available for
modification. It might be kindest to attach this comment at the
front of any modified files: "This code may be used and
modified for not-for-profit use. This notice must be retained."
I may get around to making the source available through
net.sources or mod.sources.
I chose to make it available because I know that I do not have
the time to do all the development on it that I would like to
do. It is my hope that more features and bug fixes will be
produced than I would ever have time for. The world gave me the
great game of Go. This is my attempt to return the favour in
some small way.
I make no warranty for goban, express or implied.
I would like to receive goban bug fixes and enhancements, but I
have other interests and obligations so I make no promises. If
I do not respond to letters or net.games.go please do not think
me rude or the letter unappreciated. You can make it easier for
me by writing carefully, purposefully, and concisely. Please do
not send large pieces of code unsolicited, etc. I will probably
be aware of simple bugs in the interface, so perhaps best to
live with them. I am most interested in bugs in the capture of
stones.
Two following news postings describe the file formats used.
I would like to see the following enhancements:
- commentaries as part of the game record and display.
- alternate moves so that move trees can be generated and
examined.
- automated counting.
- connections to programs that play go and net programs
that send and receive moves.
- option for numbers on stones on screen.
- laser writer printed output to list stones played over
spaces left by captured stones.
- board sizes 9x9 (demo), 13x13 (novice), 17x17
(historical), 19x19 (std.), and 21x21 (experimental).
- ports to other window sytems (control panel stuff
would change the most)
If the first two are done, then goban could become a powerful
teaching tool. Famous games and joseki could be recorded.
---
{ucbvax,decwrl}!sun!alan
"Extraordinary how potent cheap music is." Noel Coward