SnipeDragon's Coder Application

[SnipeDragon]

Byond ID: SnipeDragon

Age: 26

Gender: Male

How would you define yourself? (Coder, Mapper, Spriter): Coder

If Coder, what languages?
PHP, MySQL, Javascript, DM

Any previous experience developing with SS13?
Not for a public server, no. However, I have hosted and modified SS13 servers for private friends only use. Mainly as roleplaying tests for other games.

Proof of any previous or current work:
I have been away from BYOND for going on two years now. My largest project from before this time was Angel Falls which still sits on the front page of the BYOND Hub:

http://www.byond.com/games/Teka123/AngelFalls

For the project, I was primarily a backend developer, creating the staff system and working on the item subsystems. Currently, I am an Administrator/Web Developer for an older MMORTS game called DarkSpace:

http://darkspace.net/index.htm?module=staff.php

I am working on an overhaul of the website, starting with a complete rework of their administration systems, moving these components to a new backend.

These are the two projects that I can share publicly, my other programming projects are systems that I have created for private clients requiring HIPAA compliance and are not something that I can advertise publicly.

How well do you know Git?
I use Git on a weekly basis for the majority of the projects I work on, as such, I am deeply familiar with the platform.


Your primary job is server development, not policing the server. You may be given Moderator-level of access but you should *not* be invoking any administrative actions unless there are no moderators or Admins online. Do you understand? Yes, I do understand this.

Anything else you'd like to add?
I am new around Colonial Marines, in fact, I am just now getting back into BYOND after an almost two year hiatus. I have been updating myself on all of the changes that have been brought to the platform in my time away and would like to contribute where I am most able. In the short time I have played, I have found myself somewhat addicted to the game. Saying that, I am rusty when it comes to DM and will need a bit to shake it off.

I am willing to discuss the other projects that I have worked on, but will only do so with Head Staff and, depending on the project, this may require the signing of an NDA.

[Seehund]

With apologies to the devs for butting in, I'd like to ask you a few things;

First off, any particular reason you want to develop for us specifically?
Secondly, anything you're especially looking to do, or perhaps some long-time project you've been thinking about?

[MadSnailDisease]

In addition:
Is there any snippet of code, no matter how small, that you could show us?
Do you have any SS13 experience? It is /very/ different from things I have seen on the hub and is generally an oddity.
Finally, as an active administrator and developer of DarkSpace, would your time not be significantly, yet understandably, split away from here?

[SnipeDragon]

With apologies to the devs for butting in, I'd like to ask you a few things;

First off, any particular reason you want to develop for us specifically?
Secondly, anything you're especially looking to do, or perhaps some long-time project you've been thinking about?

1) With my return to BYOND, I am looking for a project to contribute actively to. I have been an avid fan of SS13 since its original release, before it went open source, and have mainly played on the Goonhub servers. Colonial Marines is a new experience and is by far the most fun I have had on an SS13 server. I am hoping to contribute to that fun for everyone.

2) Ideally, I would like to go through the suggestions that apophis has approved and that the community have been mostly positive about, knocking suggestions out in batches.

In addition:
Is there any snippet of code, no matter how small, that you could show us?
Do you have any SS13 experience? It is /very/ different from things I have seen on the hub and is generally an oddity.
Finally, as an active administrator and developer of DarkSpace, would your time not be significantly, yet understandably, split away from here?

1) I am currently on my laptop, when I get back to my desktop I will post snippets of DM from systems I have completed in the past.
2) I have extensive player experience, but little developer experience for SS13. I am aware however, of how different SS13 development is as compared to other BYOND games and am positive that I can adapt.
3) My work on DarkSpace is all volunteer and all for fun. I work a part time job (may be full time soon™) and pick up contract web development work when I can. I work on the DarkSpace website for a few hours on the weekend, other than that, I spend the rest of my free time gaming. I'm looking to spend less time gaming and more time developing again, as I get enjoyment out of watching others use and enjoy the effort that I put towards something. So no, my time is not significantly spent on DarkSpace, and I am under no time constraints there for my projects.

I realize that development work goes unappreciated a lot of the time, but that is okay. I don't develop for appreciation, I do so because I personally enjoy it. It is fun to create a new system, to debug that system until it runs smoothly and then to sit back and watch everyone use that system.

[forwardslashN]

There is a primordial ocean of things to fix or improve on. If you could change or implement something into the game, what would it be?
Have you played alien and marine, or do you usually stick to one side?
What would you like to see this game look like in a year or two?

And yes, I'd like to see some code you've done when you can.

[SnipeDragon]

There is a primordial ocean of things to fix or improve on. If you could change or implement something into the game, what would it be?
Have you played alien and marine, or do you usually stick to one side?
What would you like to see this game look like in a year or two?

And yes, I'd like to see some code you've done when you can.

1) One of the first things I would like to do, if it is not already done, is implement world.tick_usage (a new BYOND feature with 510) into the game, game wide. Starting with the most intensive processes and then moving down from there. There is a noticeable difference on tg station even with a smaller number of players. I think tick_usage could help Colonial Marines out a lot, especially in this 'Grey Tide' as it is called here. (See: http://www.byond.com/forum/?post=2055964 )

2) I have played and enjoy playing both sides. I usually keep my 'Play Alien' turned on until it happens, then turn it off for a couple of rounds.

3) In a year, I would like to see CM play like an optimized beast, easily tackling the 100 player mark with no noticeable CPU lag. In two years (less really), I would like to see CM off on its own, still based on Baystation, but so different that it is completely its own game. It already is its own game, but I mean a new interface, all around, something skinned that fits the theme. Perhaps even a different, themed interface for every race. More optimized than base Baystation.

I will be back at my desktop tonight, I hope. I'll post code then, though, I will ask that you understand that these DM snippets will be at least two years old.

[forwardslashN]

1) One of the first things I would like to do, if it is not already done, is implement world.tick_usage (a new BYOND feature with 510) into the game, game wide. Starting with the most intensive processes and then moving down from there. There is a noticeable difference on tg station even with a smaller number of players. I think tick_usage could help Colonial Marines out a lot, especially in this 'Grey Tide' as it is called here. (See: http://www.byond.com/forum/?post=2055964 )

2) I have played and enjoy playing both sides. I usually keep my 'Play Alien' turned on until it happens, then turn it off for a couple of rounds.

3) In a year, I would like to see CM play like an optimized beast, easily tackling the 100 player mark with no noticeable CPU lag. In two years (less really), I would like to see CM off on its own, still based on Baystation, but so different that it is completely its own game. It already is its own game, but I mean a new interface, all around, something skinned that fits the theme. Perhaps even a different, themed interface for every race. More optimized than base Baystation.

I will be back at my desktop tonight, I hope. I'll post code then, though, I will ask that you understand that these DM snippets will be at least two years old.

Good answers. CM desperately needs optimization, and I think that's a very promising direction to head in.

[SnipeDragon]

I am watching a family member's house this weekend and do not know when I will drop by home. I grabbed a flash drive that I thought had all of my BYOND projects, but instead just had some older backups. Regardless, here is an explosion system that I created 5 years ago for a Stargate game:

► Show Spoiler

Code: Select all

turf
	var
		tmp
			oldopacity = 0

proc
	Explode(turf/T,range,atom/ow,ininventory,energy,fromweapon=0)
		var/pow
		if(range > 1)
			pow = 100*(max(range/2,3))
		else
			pow = 100*(max(range*1,2))
		for(var/turf/N in range(range,T))
			if(istype(N.loc,/area/nofight)||istype(N.loc,/area/respawn)) continue
			var/obj/door/D = locate() in N
			if(D&&D.density)
				D.opacity = 1
			var/obj/door/lockdown_door/LD = locate() in N
			if(LD&&LD.density)
				LD.opacity = 1
			var/obj/base_items/shield/SH = locate() in N
			if(SH)
				SH.opacity = 1
			if(N.density)
				N.oldopacity = initial(N.opacity)
				N.opacity = 1

		for(var/turf/NT in view(range,T))
			if(istype(NT.loc,/area/nofight)||istype(NT.loc,/area/respawn)) continue
			var/obj/door/D = locate() in NT
			var/obj/door/lockdown_door/LD = locate() in NT
			if(LD&&LD.density)
				continue
			if(D&&D.density)
				continue
			new/obj/explosion(NT,ow,ininventory,energy,pow,fromweapon)
			pow = 100*(max(range/2,3))-(50*get_dist(NT,T))
			if(pow <= 0)
				pow = 10
			if(pow > 200)
				pow = 200
			if(NT.density)
				NT.opacity = NT.oldopacity
			if(D)
				D.opacity = initial(D.opacity)
				D.hp -=pow
				F_damage(LD, pow, "#FFFFFF")
			if(LD)
				LD.opacity = initial(LD.opacity)
				LD.hp-=pow
				F_damage(LD, pow, "#FFFFFF")

		for(var/turf/NT in range(range,T))
			if(NT.density)
				NT.opacity = NT.oldopacity
			var/obj/door/D = locate() in NT
			var/obj/door/lockdown_door/LD = locate() in NT
			var/obj/base_items/shield/SH = locate() in NT
			if(SH)
				SH.opacity = initial(SH.opacity)
			if(D)
				D.opacity = initial(D.opacity)
			if(LD)
				LD.opacity = initial(LD.opacity)

	Explode2(turf/T,range,mob/ow,ininventory,energy)
		var/owner = ow

		for(var/mob/M in world)
			if(M.z == T.z)
				if(!istype(M.loc.loc,/area/nobomb))
					M.die(owner,1,"World Nuke")




obj
	explosion
		var/mob/owner
		icon = 'fire.dmi'
		layer = MOB_LAYER+1
		New(location,mob/own,ininv,energy,pow,fromweapon=0)
			loc = location
			if(energy)
				icon_state = "energy"
			if(own)
				owner = own
			if(isturf(src.loc))
				if(src.loc.density) del(src)
				for(var/obj/items/shieldgen/S in src.loc)
					S.power -= 10
					if(icon_state == "energy")
						S.power -= 500
					if(S.power <= 0)
						del(S)
				for(var/obj/base_items/shield/S2 in src.loc)
					var/obj/items/shieldgen/S = S2.owner
					if(S)
						S.power -= 10
						if(icon_state == "energy")
							S.power -= 500
						if(S.power <= 0)
							del(S)
				for(var/mob/M in src.loc)
					if(M.safe&&M!=src.owner)
						continue
					if(!istype(M,/mob/Replicator_NPC))

						M.hp-=pow
						F_damage(M, pow, "#FFFFFF")
						M << "You take [pow] explosion damage!"
					else
						F_damage(M, pow, "#FF0000")
						M.hp += pow
					if(ininv)
						if(src.owner)
							if(M.hp <= 0)
								M.die(src.owner,"explode")
						else
							if(M.hp <= 0)
								M.die("a massive energy wave")
					else
						if(src.owner)
							if(M.hp <= 0)
								M.die(src.owner)
						else
							if(M.hp <=0)
								M.die("a massive energy wave")
				for(var/obj/items/explosives/I in src.loc)
					if(I.chainexplode)
						if(I.blown) continue
						I.blow()
			new/obj/explosion_dirt(src.loc)
			spawn(30)
				del(src)

	explosion_dirt
		layer = TURF_LAYER
		icon = 'Dirt.dmi'
		name = "Wreckage"
		New()
			..()
			spawn(240)
				del(src)

obj
	explosives
		c4overlay
			layer = FLY_LAYER+10

turf
	proc
		ash(oldicon,oldstate)
			src.density = 0
			src.icon -= rgb(140,140,140)
			spawn(500)
				src.density = 1
				for(var/mob/M in src)
					M.die("a horrible respawning accident")
				src.icon = oldicon

When I actually get home, I will post snippets from Angel Falls, which is my most recent BYOND work.

[forwardslashN]

I am watching a family member's house this weekend and do not know when I will drop by home. I grabbed a flash drive that I thought had all of my BYOND projects, but instead just had some older backups. Regardless, here is an explosion system that I created 5 years ago for a Stargate game:

► Show Spoiler

Code: Select all

turf
	var
		tmp
			oldopacity = 0

proc
	Explode(turf/T,range,atom/ow,ininventory,energy,fromweapon=0)
		var/pow
		if(range > 1)
			pow = 100*(max(range/2,3))
		else
			pow = 100*(max(range*1,2))
		for(var/turf/N in range(range,T))
			if(istype(N.loc,/area/nofight)||istype(N.loc,/area/respawn)) continue
			var/obj/door/D = locate() in N
			if(D&&D.density)
				D.opacity = 1
			var/obj/door/lockdown_door/LD = locate() in N
			if(LD&&LD.density)
				LD.opacity = 1
			var/obj/base_items/shield/SH = locate() in N
			if(SH)
				SH.opacity = 1
			if(N.density)
				N.oldopacity = initial(N.opacity)
				N.opacity = 1

		for(var/turf/NT in view(range,T))
			if(istype(NT.loc,/area/nofight)||istype(NT.loc,/area/respawn)) continue
			var/obj/door/D = locate() in NT
			var/obj/door/lockdown_door/LD = locate() in NT
			if(LD&&LD.density)
				continue
			if(D&&D.density)
				continue
			new/obj/explosion(NT,ow,ininventory,energy,pow,fromweapon)
			pow = 100*(max(range/2,3))-(50*get_dist(NT,T))
			if(pow <= 0)
				pow = 10
			if(pow > 200)
				pow = 200
			if(NT.density)
				NT.opacity = NT.oldopacity
			if(D)
				D.opacity = initial(D.opacity)
				D.hp -=pow
				F_damage(LD, pow, "#FFFFFF")
			if(LD)
				LD.opacity = initial(LD.opacity)
				LD.hp-=pow
				F_damage(LD, pow, "#FFFFFF")

		for(var/turf/NT in range(range,T))
			if(NT.density)
				NT.opacity = NT.oldopacity
			var/obj/door/D = locate() in NT
			var/obj/door/lockdown_door/LD = locate() in NT
			var/obj/base_items/shield/SH = locate() in NT
			if(SH)
				SH.opacity = initial(SH.opacity)
			if(D)
				D.opacity = initial(D.opacity)
			if(LD)
				LD.opacity = initial(LD.opacity)

	Explode2(turf/T,range,mob/ow,ininventory,energy)
		var/owner = ow

		for(var/mob/M in world)
			if(M.z == T.z)
				if(!istype(M.loc.loc,/area/nobomb))
					M.die(owner,1,"World Nuke")




obj
	explosion
		var/mob/owner
		icon = 'fire.dmi'
		layer = MOB_LAYER+1
		New(location,mob/own,ininv,energy,pow,fromweapon=0)
			loc = location
			if(energy)
				icon_state = "energy"
			if(own)
				owner = own
			if(isturf(src.loc))
				if(src.loc.density) del(src)
				for(var/obj/items/shieldgen/S in src.loc)
					S.power -= 10
					if(icon_state == "energy")
						S.power -= 500
					if(S.power <= 0)
						del(S)
				for(var/obj/base_items/shield/S2 in src.loc)
					var/obj/items/shieldgen/S = S2.owner
					if(S)
						S.power -= 10
						if(icon_state == "energy")
							S.power -= 500
						if(S.power <= 0)
							del(S)
				for(var/mob/M in src.loc)
					if(M.safe&&M!=src.owner)
						continue
					if(!istype(M,/mob/Replicator_NPC))

						M.hp-=pow
						F_damage(M, pow, "#FFFFFF")
						M << "You take [pow] explosion damage!"
					else
						F_damage(M, pow, "#FF0000")
						M.hp += pow
					if(ininv)
						if(src.owner)
							if(M.hp <= 0)
								M.die(src.owner,"explode")
						else
							if(M.hp <= 0)
								M.die("a massive energy wave")
					else
						if(src.owner)
							if(M.hp <= 0)
								M.die(src.owner)
						else
							if(M.hp <=0)
								M.die("a massive energy wave")
				for(var/obj/items/explosives/I in src.loc)
					if(I.chainexplode)
						if(I.blown) continue
						I.blow()
			new/obj/explosion_dirt(src.loc)
			spawn(30)
				del(src)

	explosion_dirt
		layer = TURF_LAYER
		icon = 'Dirt.dmi'
		name = "Wreckage"
		New()
			..()
			spawn(240)
				del(src)

obj
	explosives
		c4overlay
			layer = FLY_LAYER+10

turf
	proc
		ash(oldicon,oldstate)
			src.density = 0
			src.icon -= rgb(140,140,140)
			spawn(500)
				src.density = 1
				for(var/mob/M in src)
					M.die("a horrible respawning accident")
				src.icon = oldicon

When I actually get home, I will post snippets from Angel Falls, which is my most recent BYOND work.

Looking forward to it.

[SnipeDragon]

I am talking with the owner of Angel Falls to make sure he is okay with me posting snippets here. In the mean time, I have been pushing small fixes to tg station:

https://github.com/SnipeDragon

[SnipeDragon]

Alright, I'm cleared to post snippets, so here we go--

We had a problem at one point with people modifying their own save files, to counter this, I developed a hashing system for player saves and vault (bank storage) saves:

► Show Spoiler

Code: Select all

mob/proc
	HashSave()
		var/i=rand(1,6)
		var/salt=""
		var/PF="Saves/Players/[copytext(ckey(src.key),1,2)]/[ckey(src.key)].sav"
		var/VF="Saves/Vaults/[copytext(ckey(src.key),1,2)]/[ckey(src.key)].sav"
		var/HF="Saves/Hashing/[copytext(ckey(src.key),1,2)]/[ckey(src.key)].sav"
		var/savefile/H = new(HF)
		H["Salt"]<<i
		var/VH=file(VF)
		var/PH=file(PF)
		PH=md5(PH)
		VH=md5(VH)
		if(i==1)
			salt=SALT1
		if(i==2)
			salt=SALT2
		if(i==3)
			salt=SALT3
		if(i==4)
			salt=SALT4
		if(i==5)
			salt=SALT5
		if(i==6)
			salt=SALT6
		PH=md5(SALT4+PH+salt+SALT1)
		VH=md5(SALT3+VH+salt+SALT1)
		H["PHash"]<<PH
		H["VHash"]<<VH
	CheckHash()
		var/i=0
		var/salt=""
		var/PF="Saves/Players/[copytext(ckey(src.key),1,2)]/[ckey(src.key)].sav"
		var/VF="Saves/Vaults/[copytext(ckey(src.key),1,2)]/[ckey(src.key)].sav"
		var/HF="Saves/Hashing/[copytext(ckey(src.key),1,2)]/[ckey(src.key)].sav"
		var/savefile/H = new(HF)
		H["Salt"]>>i
		if(i==1)
			salt=SALT1
		if(i==2)
			salt=SALT2
		if(i==3)
			salt=SALT3
		if(i==4)
			salt=SALT4
		if(i==5)
			salt=SALT5
		if(i==6)
			salt=SALT6
		var/PH=file(PF)
		PH=md5(PH)
		PH=md5(SALT4+PH+salt+SALT1)
		if(H["PHash"]==PH)
			var/VH=file(VF)
			VH=md5(VH)
			VH=md5(SALT3+VH+salt+SALT1)
			if(H["VHash"]==VH)
				return 1
			else
				stafflog<<"<tr><td>[usr] ([usr.key])</td><td>Corrupt Save</td><td>[time2text(world.realtime)]</td><td>Vault Save</td></tr>"
				src<<"Corrupt Save detected: Vault Save"
				return 0
		else
			stafflog<<"<tr><td>[usr] ([usr.key])</td><td>Corrupt Save</td><td>[time2text(world.realtime)]</td><td>Player Save</td></tr>"
			src<<"Corrupt Save detected: Player Save"
			return 0

The salts in question are randomly generated strings:

SALT1 = "rand"+"omst"+"ring"+"slul" etc

This is from before we switched to server-side saving, but the functionality still remains now. We did end up catching the people who were modifying their saves using this.

The following is the code I used to make servers self-update their configurations. Primarily the MOTD, Global Admins and Global Mods, but banning and server kills also work (though I will not be posting the server kill snippet.)

► Show Spoiler

Code: Select all

GetConf(Once=0)
		var/http_version[] = world.Export("**HIDDEN**")
		var/Ver=file2text(http_version["CONTENT"])
		Ver=text2num(Ver)
		if(ConfVersion!=Ver)
			ConfVersion=Ver
			var/http_motd[] = world.Export("**HIDDEN**")
			var/http_admin[] = world.Export("**HIDDEN**")
			var/http_mod[] = world.Export("**HIDDEN**")
			var/http_banned[] = world.Export("**HIDDEN**")
			MOTD = file2text(http_motd["CONTENT"])
			var/cadmin = file2text(http_admin["CONTENT"])
			var/cmod = file2text(http_mod["CONTENT"])
			var/cbanned = file2text(http_banned["CONTENT"])
			if(length(text2list(cadmin,"\n")))
				ConfAdmins=text2list(cadmin,"\n")
			if(length(text2list(cmod,"\n")))
				ConfMods=text2list(cmod,"\n")
			if(length(text2list(cbanned,"\n")))
				ConfBanned=text2list(cbanned,"\n")
			for(var/T in ConfAdmins)
				if(T==""||T==" ")
					ConfAdmins.Remove(T)
			for(var/T in ConfMods)
				if(T==""||T==" ")
					ConfMods.Remove(T)
			for(var/T in ConfBanned)
				if(T==""||T==" ")
					ConfBanned.Remove(T)
			for(var/mob/Player/M in world)
				M.CheckBan()
				if(M.key in ConfAdmins&&StaffCheck(M)<=3)
					M.GiveStaffButton()
					M.verbs += typesof("/mob/Player/Admin/verb")
					M.verbs += typesof("/mob/Player/Moderator/verb")
					winset(M,"staffmenu.admin", "is-disabled=false")
					winset(M,"staffmenu.moderator", "is-disabled=false")
				if(M.key in ConfMods&&StaffCheck(M)<2)
					M.GiveStaffButton()
					M.verbs -= typesof("/mob/Player/Admin/verb")
					M.verbs += typesof("/mob/Player/Moderator/verb")
					winset(M,"staffmenu.admin", "is-disabled=true")
					winset(M,"staffmenu.moderator", "is-disabled=false")
				else if(!StaffCheck(M))
					M.TakeStaffButton()
					M.verbs -= typesof("/mob/Player/Admin/verb")
					M.verbs -= typesof("/mob/Player/Moderator/verb")
					winset(M,"staffmenu.admin", "is-disabled=true")
					winset(M,"staffmenu.moderator", "is-disabled=true")
			world<<"<b>System</b>: Global Configuration updated to version [ConfVersion]!"
			if(!Once)
				spawn(3000) GetConf()
		else
			spawn(3000) GetConf()

The above allows us to manage every server's information without having to update the game itself.

These are a couple of the systems I created for Angel Falls. If you have any questions, please let me know. Lastly, I apologize for the wait, but I wanted to make sure the owner of Angel Falls was okay with me posting snippets of code.

~SnipeDragon

[Rahlzel]

+1

One of our top priorities should probably be to make this coder application process better.

Sorry for the wait. Due to the private nature of the project, we tend to be protective of it for obvious reasons, so there's a bit of an unofficial "wait" period after an app is submitted so we can get to know the person a bit and see if they're still interested after a while. It's obvious to me that you are, and forwardslashN approves which is a big deal. I'll poke Apophis about this.

[SnipeDragon]

+1

One of our top priorities should probably be to make this coder application process better.

Sorry for the wait. Due to the private nature of the project, we tend to be protective of it for obvious reasons, so there's a bit of an unofficial "wait" period after an app is submitted so we can get to know the person a bit and see if they're still interested after a while. It's obvious to me that you are, and forwardslashN approves which is a big deal. I'll poke Apophis about this.

Thank you for the reply. I completely understand the need for discretion involved with a closed source project, especially for a programming position. I am most certainly still interested in the position and most importantly towards helping the game advance in whatever way I am able, regardless of my role, either as a Player or as a Coder.

~SnipeDragon

[apophis775]

would you be available to talk either in-game or over discord one day?

[SnipeDragon]

Yes, either would work. I am on discord anytime I am on the computer with the name Abuelo#0859 (Nicknamed SnipeDragon in the CM Discord.) I just sent you a DM.

[apophis775]

AFter talking with him, I'm voting +1

[forwardslashN]

+1
You have my support based on what you have written and posted. Hope to see you on the team.