Class GenerationGame

java.lang.Object
  |
  +--GenerationGame

Direct Known Subclasses:

MasterGame

public abstract class GenerationGame

extends java.lang.Object

A generation game is any game in which there is a game status which changes autonomously in steps, called generations. It must also take a single command-line argument, normally containing a filename describing the initial game status.

Field Summary

protected java.lang.String

gameFile the file to be read to establish the initial game position

Constructor Summary

(package private)	GenerationGame() The no-argument constructor should not be used.
(package private)	GenerationGame(java.lang.String[] args) Creates a game.

Method Summary

(package private) abstract java.lang.String	next() Run the next generation
(package private) abstract void	play() Start the game
(package private) abstract java.lang.String	sendMessage(java.lang.Object recipient, java.lang.String msg) Send a message to an object.
(package private) abstract java.lang.Object	spySetup() Determine what object to spy on, probably by asking the user

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

, clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait

Field Detail

gameFile

protected java.lang.String gameFile

the file to be read to establish the initial game position

Constructor Detail

GenerationGame

GenerationGame()

The no-argument constructor should not be used.

GenerationGame

GenerationGame(java.lang.String[] args)

Creates a game. With luck, there is exactly one command line argument and we'll make a note of it.

Parameters:

args - the args[] array passed to main

Method Detail

next

abstract java.lang.String next()

Run the next generation

Returns:

a string describing the new status

play

abstract void play()

Start the game

sendMessage

abstract java.lang.String sendMessage(java.lang.Object recipient,
                                      java.lang.String msg)

Send a message to an object.

Parameters:

recipient - the object to receive the message. Defined as Object here, but generally it will be some special type known to the game.

msg - a message string. The format, if any, will depend on the specific game.

Returns:

the answer string

spySetup

abstract java.lang.Object spySetup()

Determine what object to spy on, probably by asking the user

Returns:

an object on which to spy