Dream Maker engine

DM is a programming language for the creation of multi-user worlds. By `world' I mean a virtual multi-media environment where people assume personae through which they interact with one another and computer-controlled objects. This could take the form of a competitive game, a role-playing adventure, a discussion board, or something we haven't even imagined.

Frequently, the terminology of a role-playing game is most suitable: humans are PCs (playing characters) and computer-controlled personalities are NPCs (non-playing characters). The virtual embodiment of a player is often called an avatar. The game rules are written in DM and faithfully carried out by the computer. These define what actions players may instruct their avatar to perform, what effect these will have in the game, and any other events that may happen as time progresses.

To understand the mechanics of the system fully, it is helpful to know a few simple terms. Computer programs that operate over a network are often divided into two parts: a client and a server. In this case, the client is the program that players use to enter commands and see what happens as a result. In other words, the client handles input and output. The server is the program that runs the game, carrying out the rules defined in the DM language. The game designer writes these rules in a third program called the compiler. This reads the DM program (known as the source code by programmers), checks it for grammatical errors, and generates a more compact, computer friendly, file known as the byte code or binary. It is this file which the server reads to see how to run the game.

So there are three main programs: the client, server, and compiler. We call these Dream Seeker, Dream Daemon, and Dream Maker, respectively. (The word daemon is just another (more fantastical) word for server.) As a whole, we refer to this collection of software as BYOND, which stands for Build Your Own Net Dream--an apt description of its purpose and also of how far it has wandered beyond our original plans. But that is another story!

Every introduction to a programming language must begin with the same example. Call it destiny, inevitability, or pure chance; it is rather uncanny that the name of the universal introductory example is hello world. Spooky, no? That's exactly what happens in this example--we say hello to the world.

Frequently, the terminology of a role-playing game is most suitable: humans are PCs (playing characters) and computer-controlled personalities are NPCs (non-playing characters). The virtual embodiment of a player is often called an avatar. The game rules are written in DM and faithfully carried out by the computer. These define what actions players may instruct their avatar to perform, what effect these will have in the game, and any other events that may happen as time progresses.

To understand the mechanics of the system fully, it is helpful to know a few simple terms. Computer programs that operate over a network are often divided into two parts: a client and a server. In this case, the client is the program that players use to enter commands and see what happens as a result. In other words, the client handles input and output. The server is the program that runs the game, carrying out the rules defined in the DM language. The game designer writes these rules in a third program called the compiler. This reads the DM program (known as the source code by programmers), checks it for grammatical errors, and generates a more compact, computer friendly, file known as the byte code or binary. It is this file which the server reads to see how to run the game.

So there are three main programs: the client, server, and compiler. We call these Dream Seeker, Dream Daemon, and Dream Maker, respectively. (The word daemon is just another (more fantastical) word for server.) As a whole, we refer to this collection of software as BYOND, which stands for Build Your Own Net Dream--an apt description of its purpose and also of how far it has wandered beyond our original plans. But that is another story!

Every introduction to a programming language must begin with the same example. Call it destiny, inevitability, or pure chance; it is rather uncanny that the name of the universal introductory example is hello world. Spooky, no? That's exactly what happens in this example--we say hello to the world.