Newsgroups: rec.games.int-fiction
From: Paul@mdown.demon.co.uk (Paul Bowler)
Path: nntp.gmd.de!news.rwth-aachen.de!news.rhrz.uni-bonn.de!news.uni-stuttgart.de!rz.uni-karlsruhe.de!ka.sub.net!snert!xlink.net!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!swrinde!pipex!peernews.demon.co.uk!mdown.demon.co.uk!Paul
Subject: Tricky objects in Inform.....
Organization: Merrydown plc
Reply-To: Paul@mdown.demon.co.uk
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Date: Wed, 26 Apr 1995 08:06:31 +0000
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I wish to implement a briefcase like object in inform, but have
become unstuck so any help would be appreciated:

The briefcase has to be able to hold things, but at the same time
supports a lock. The problem I have is that an object cannot be both
a container and supporter at the same time. I have tried messing about
with daemons that move the lock around with the case, but this seems
very untidy.

The second problem concerns the lock itself. It is a combination lock
consisting of three rotating number wheels, each with numbers from
0 to 9. I wish the player to be able to use commands such as:

        move lock to 123
 or     turn lock to 246
 or     set lock to 369

How do I implement this ? Although I am fairly converse with inform
I havnt made much use of adding or extending the grammar which I 
think is my main problem.

Finally, I want the player to be behind a window, but still be able
to see and examine objects at the other side without defining them as
being in both places. I think this is an 'In-Scope' problem, but I
have no idea where to start.

Thankyou all in advance for your help.

-- 
Paul.
