A proposal
Gene Spafford
found the following. I think there may be merit in the idea.
Anybody out there have any comments?
Begin Inserted Text:
# 366
From : PHIL REED To : USER FRIENDLIES
Subject : AN IDEA Date : Wed. 12/09/81 10:56
Has anyone thought of grafting the pseudo-English parser of Zork
or other dungeon games onto a shell? Not only would it be a cheap
way to get the more natural syntax some people say they want,
it could provide a very amusing interface, and add glamour and
excitement to ordinary work:
% go to bin
you are in ~jon/bin. there are many files here.
% look
you are in ~jon/bin. the directory contains:
date
date.c
readtape
scramble
the only exit is up.
% use date to create tmp
done!
% take tmp
taken.
% open tmp
you open tmp to reveal:
Tue. November 24, 1981 (2:00pm EST)
% take date.c
taken.
% look
you are in ~jon/bin. the directory contains:
date
readtape
scramble
the only exit is up.
% inventory
you are carrying:
date.c
tmp
% goto src
you are in ~jon/src. there are many files here.
% drop date.c
dropped.
% throw tmp at printer
the printer catches your file, turns it into paper, and
leaves it in the basement.
% look
your are in ~jon/src. the directory contains:
date.c
scramble.c
readtape.c
there are exits marked 'zshell' and 'secret'
as well as the path leading up.
% xyzzy
you are back in your home directory. there are many files here.
% run foo
the foo dumps core.
Oh dear! you seem to have gotten yourself killed.
% attack core with sdb
.
.
.
(downloaded from the Original NorthStar BBS, run by Microstuf.)
End Inserted Text.
--
Off the Wall of Gene Spafford
The Clouds Project, School of ICS, Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA 30332
CSNet: Spaf @ GATech ARPA: Spaf.GATech @ CSNet-Relay
uucp: ...!{akgua,allegra,rlgvax,sb1,unmvax,ulysses,ut-sally}!gatech!spaf
Jon Mauney
and has made it to all kinds of bulletin board systems.
However, I notice that no credit is given to the author (me).
I wish that in the future people would give a short
acknowledgment, such as:
This wonderful idea courtesy of
Jon (no middle name) Mauney
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
North Carolina State University
(who is available for consulting at
reasonable rates)
Thank you.
--
_Doctor_ Jon Mauney, mcnc!ncsu!mauney
\__Mu__/ North Carolina State University
Gene Spafford
where credit is due.
> The original version of the 'adventure shell' proposal came from Jon
> Mauney (sp?), while he was at the Univ. of Wisconsin. (That's why the
> directory used is "~jon".) The article appeared in Human-Nets Digest.
> Jon is now at North Carolina State Univ. as a professor; ncsu!mauney.
>
> A version of this shell has recently been implemented by Barry Kircheval
> (sp?), zehntel!barry.
>
> Paul Lustgarten
> AT&T Bell Laboratories, Short Hills, NJ
> hlexa!pcl
Erik E. Fair
Berry Kercheval
{ucbvax,ihnp4,tektronix,hplabs}!zehntel!berry
OK? (Paul, you should know better!)
Erik E. Fair
dual!fa...@BERKELEY.ARPA
{ucbvax,ihnp4,cbosgd,amd70,zehntel,fortune,unisoft,onyx,its}!dual!fair
Dual Systems Corporation, Berkeley, California
gwyn%b...@sri-unix.uucp
Now you've done it! I had the following lying around; it uses a couple
of local utilities "ask" and "pg" that you can easily supply. I hacked
this out in an evening, so it could undoubtedly be improved.
========== ash.inst ==========
Instructions for the Adventure shell
Welcome to the Adventure shell! In this exploration of the UNIX file
system, I will act as your eyes and hands. As you move around, I will
describe whatever is visible and will carry out your commands. The
general form of a command is
Verb Object Extra_stuff.
Most commands pay no attention to the "Extra_stuff", and many do not
need an "Object". A typical command is
get all
which picks up all files in the current "room" (directory). You can
find out what you are carrying by typing the command
inventory
The command "help" results in a full description of all commands that I
understand. To quit the Adventure shell, type
quit
There are UNIX monsters lurking in the background. These are also
known as "commands with arguments".
Good luck!
========== ash.help ==========
I understand the following commands (synonyms in parentheses):
change OBJECT to NEW_NAME changes the name of the object
clone OBJECT as NEW_NAME duplicates the object
drop OBJECTS leaves the objects in the room
enter (go) PASSAGE takes the labeled passage
examine OBJECTS describes the objects in detail
feed OBJECT to MONSTER stuffs the object into a UNIX monster
get (take) OBJECTS picks up the specified objects
gripe (bug) report a problem with the Adventure shell
help prints this summary
inventory (i) tells what you are carrying
kill (destroy) OBJECTS destroys the objects
look (l) describes the room, including hidden objects
open (read) OBJECT shows the contents of an object
quit (exit) leaves the Adventure shell
resurrect OBJECTS attempts to restore dead objects
steal OBJECT from MONSTER obtains the object from a UNIX monster
throw OBJECT at daemon feeds the object to the printer daemon
up takes the overhead passage
wake MONSTER awakens a UNIX monster
where (w) tells you where you are
xyzzy moves you to your home
========== ash ==========
#!/bin/sh
# ash -- "Adventure shell"
# last edit: 83/11/14 D A Gwyn
# SCCS ID: @(#)ash.sh 1.1
OPATH=$PATH
ASK=/vld/bin/ask
CAT=/vld/bin/pg
HELP=/vld/lib/ash.help
INST=/vld/lib/ash.inst
MAINT=gwyn@brl-vld
PATH=/usr/5bin:/bin:/usr/bin
export PATH
trap 'echo Ouch!' 2 3
cd
LIM=.limbo # $HOME/$LIM contains "destroyed" objects
mkdir $LIM >&- 2>&-
KNAP=.knapsack # $HOME/$KNAP contains objects being "carried"
if [ ! -d $KNAP ]
then mkdir $KNAP >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then echo 'You found a discarded empty knapsack.'
else echo 'You have no knapsack to carry things in.'
exit 1
fi
else echo 'One moment while I peek in your old knapsack...'
fi
kn=`echo \`ls -a $KNAP | sed -e '/^\.$/d' -e '/^\.\.$/d'\``
if $ASK 'Welcome to the Adventure shell! Do you need instructions?'
then $CAT < $INST
echo 'Type a newline to continue: \c'
read i
fi
wiz=false
cha=false
prev=$LIM
while sh -c true
do room=`pwd`
if [ $room != $prev ]
then if [ $room = $HOME ]
then echo 'You are in your own home. \c'
else echo "You have entered $room. \c"
fi
exs=
obs=
hexs=
hobs=
f=false
for i in `ls -a`
do case $i in
.|..) ;;
.*) if [ -f $i ]
then hobs="$hobs $i"
elif [ -d $i ]
then hexs="$hexs $i"
else f=true
fi
;;
*) if [ -f $i ]
then obs="$obs $i"
elif [ -d $i ]
then exs="$exs $i"
else f=true
fi
;;
esac
done
if [ "$obs" ]
then echo 'This room contains:'
echo $obs | tr ' ' '\012' | pr -5 -t -w75
else echo 'The room looks empty.'
fi
if [ "$exs" ]
then echo 'There are exits labeled:'
echo $exs | tr ' ' '\012' | pr -5 -t -w75
echo 'as well as a passage overhead.'
else echo 'There is a passage overhead.'
fi
if sh -c $f
then echo 'There are shadowy figures in the corner.'
fi
prev=$room
fi
echo '-\b> \c' # prompt
read verb obj x
if [ $? != 0 ]
then verb=quit # EOF
fi
case $verb in
change) if [ "$obj" ]
then echo " $obs $hobs " | fgrep " $obj " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then set -- $x
case "$1" in
to) if [ "$2" ]
then if [ -f $2 ]
then echo "You must destroy $2 first."
set --
fi
if [ "$2" ]
then if mv $obj $2 >&- 2>&-
then echo "The $obj shimmers and turns into $2."
obs=`echo $2 $obs '' | sed -e "s/ $obj / /" -e 's/ $//'`
else echo "There is a cloud of smoke but the $obj is unchanged."
fi
fi
else echo 'To what?'
fi
;;
*) echo "Change $obj to what?"
;;
esac
else echo " $kn " | fgrep " $obj " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then echo 'You must drop it first.'
else echo "I see no $obj here."
fi
fi
else echo 'Change what?'
fi
;;
clone) if [ "$obj" ]
then echo " $obs $hobs " | fgrep " $obj " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then if [ ! -r $obj ]
then echo "The $obj does not wish to be cloned."
else set -- $x
case "$1" in
as) if [ "$2" ]
then if [ -f $2 ]
then echo "You must destroy $2 first."
else if cp $obj $2 >&- 2>&-
then echo "Poof! When the smoke clears, you see the new $2."
obs="$obs $2"
else echo 'You hear a dull thud but no clone appears.'
fi
fi
else echo 'As what?'
fi
;;
*) echo "Clone $obj as what?"
;;
esac
fi
else echo " $kn " | fgrep " $obj " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then echo 'You must drop it first.'
else echo "I see no $obj here."
fi
fi
else echo 'Clone what?'
fi
;;
drop) if [ "$obj" ]
then for it in $obj $x
do echo " $kn " | fgrep " $it " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then if [ -w $it ]
then echo "You must destroy $it first."
else if mv $HOME/$KNAP/$it $it >&- 2>&-
then echo "$it: dropped."
kn=`echo '' $kn '' | sed -e "s/ $it / /" -e 's/^ //' -e 's/ $//'`
obs=`echo $it $obs`
else echo "The $it is caught in your knapsack."
fi
fi
else echo "You're not carrying the $it!"
fi
done
else echo 'Drop what?'
fi
;;
enter|go) if [ "$obj" ]
then if [ $obj != up ]
then echo " $exs $hexs " | fgrep " $obj " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then if [ -x $obj ]
then if cd $obj
then echo 'You squeeze through the passage.'
else echo "You can't go that direction."
fi
else echo 'An invisible force blocks your way.'
fi
else echo 'I see no such passage.'
fi
else if cd ..
then echo 'You struggle upwards.'
else echo "You can't reach that high."
fi
fi
else echo 'Which passage?'
fi
;;
examine) if [ "$obj" ]
then if [ $obj = all ]
then $obj=`echo $obs $exs`
x=
fi
for it in $obj $x
do echo " $obs $hobs $exs $hexs " | fgrep " $it " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then echo "Upon close inspection of the $it, you see:"
ls -ld $it 2>&-
if [ $? != 0 ]
then echo "-- when you look directly at the $it, it vanishes."
fi
else echo " $kn " | fgrep " $it " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then echo 'You must drop it first.'
else echo "I see no $it here."
fi
fi
done
else echo 'Examine what?'
fi
;;
feed) if [ "$obj" ]
then echo " $obs $hobs " | fgrep " $obj " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then set -- $x
case "$1" in
to) if [ "$2" ]
then shift
if env PATH=$OPATH $* <$obj 2>&-
then echo "The $1 monster devours your $obj."
if rm -f $obj >&- 2>&-
then obs=`echo '' $obs '' | sed -e "s/ $obj / /" -e 's/^ //' -e 's/ $//'`
else echo 'But he spits it back up.'
fi
else echo "The $1 monster holds his nose in disdain."
fi
else echo 'To what?'
fi
;;
*) echo "Feed $obj to what?"
;;
esac
else echo " $kn " | fgrep " $obj " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then echo 'You must drop it first.'
else echo "I see no $obj here."
fi
fi
else echo 'Feed what?'
fi
;;
get|take) if [ "$obj" ]
then if [ $obj = all ]
then obj="$obs"
x=
fi
for it in $obj $x
do echo " $obs $hobs " | fgrep " $it " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then echo " $kn " | fgrep " $it " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then echo 'You already have one.'
else if mv $it $HOME/$KNAP/$it >&- 2>&-
then echo "$it: taken."
kn="$it $kn"
obs=`echo '' $obs '' | sed -e "s/ $it / /" -e 's/^ //' -e 's/ $//'`
else echo "The $it is too heavy."
fi
fi
else echo "I see no $it here."
fi
done
else echo 'Get what?'
fi
;;
gripe|bug) echo 'Please describe the problem and your situation at the time it failed.\nEnd the bug report with a line containing just a Ctrl-D.'
cat | mail $MAINT -s 'ash bug'
echo 'Thank you!'
;;
help) $CAT < $HELP
;;
inventory|i) if [ "$kn" ]
then echo 'Your knapsack contains:'
echo $kn | tr ' ' '\012' | pr -5 -t -w75
else echo 'You are poverty-stricken.'
fi
;;
kill|destroy) if [ "$obj" ]
then if [ $obj = all ]
then x=
if $ASK "Do you really want to attempt to $verb them all?"
then obj=`echo $obs`
else echo 'Chicken!'
obj=
fi
fi
for it in $obj $x
do echo " $obs $hobs " | fgrep " $it " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then if mv $it $HOME/$LIM <&- >&- 2>&-
then if [ $verb = kill ]
then echo "The $it cannot defend himself; he dies."
else echo "You have destroyed the $it; it vanishes."
fi
obs=`echo '' $obs '' | sed -e "s/ $it / /" -e 's/^ //' -e 's/ $//'`
else if [ $verb = kill ]
then echo "Your feeble blows are no match for the $it."
else echo "The $it is indestructible."
fi
fi
else echo " $kn " | fgrep " $it " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then echo "You must drop the $it first."
found=false
else echo "I see no $it here."
fi
fi
done
else echo 'Kill what?'
fi
;;
look|l) obs=`echo $obs $hobs`
hobs=
if [ "$obs" ]
then echo 'The room contains:'
echo $obs | tr ' ' '\012' | pr -5 -t -w75
else echo 'The room is empty.'
fi
exs=`echo $exs $hexs`
hexs=
if [ "$exs" ]
then echo 'There are exits plainly labeled:'
echo $exs | tr ' ' '\012' | pr -5 -t -w75
echo 'and a passage directly overhead.'
else echo 'The only exit is directly overhead.'
fi
;;
magic) if [ "$obj" = mode ]
then if sh -c $cha
then echo 'You had your chance and you blew it.'
else if $ASK 'Are you a wizard?'
then echo 'Prove it! Say the magic word: \c'
read obj
if [ "$obj" = armadillo ]
then echo 'Yes, master!!'
wiz=true
else echo "Foo, you're nothing but a charlatan!"
cha=true
fi
else echo "I didn't think so."
fi
fi
else echo 'Nice try.'
fi
;;
open|read) if [ "$obj" ]
then echo " $obs $hobs " | fgrep " $obj " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then if [ -r $obj ]
then if [ -s $obj ]
then echo "Opening the $obj reveals:"
$CAT < $obj 2>&-
if [ $? != 0 ]
then echo '-- oops, you lost the contents!'
fi
else echo "There is nothing inside the $obj."
fi
else echo "You do not have the proper tools to open the $obj."
fi
else echo " $kn " | fgrep " $obj " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then echo 'You must drop it first.'
found=false
else echo "I see no $obj here."
fi
fi
else echo 'Open what?'
fi
;;
quit|exit) if $ASK 'Do you really want to quit now?'
then if [ "$kn" ]
then echo 'The contents of your knapsack will still be there next time.'
fi
rm -rf $HOME/$LIM
echo 'See you later!'
exit 0
fi
;;
resurrect) if [ "$obj" ]
then for it in $obj $x
do echo " $obs $hobs " | fgrep " $it " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then echo "The $it is already alive and well."
else if mv $HOME/$LIM/$it $it <&- >&- 2>&-
then echo "The $it staggers to his feet."
obs=`echo $it $obs`
else echo "There are sparks but no $it appears."
fi
fi
done
else echo 'Resurrect what?'
fi
;;
steal) if [ "$obj" ]
then echo " $obs $hobs " | fgrep " $obj " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then echo 'There is already one here.'
else set -- $x
case "$1" in
from) if [ "$2" ]
then shift
if env PATH=$OPATH $* >$obj 2>&-
then echo "The $1 monster drops the $obj."
obs=`echo $obj $obs`
else echo "The $1 monster runs away as you approach."
rm -f $obj >&- 2>&-
fi
else echo 'From what?'
fi
;;
*) echo "Steal $obj from what?"
;;
esac
fi
else echo 'Steal what?'
fi
;;
throw) if [ "$obj" ]
then echo " $obs $hobs " | fgrep " $obj " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then set -- $x
case "$1" in
at) case "$2" in
daemon) if sh -c "lpr -r $obj"
then echo "The daemon catches the $obj, turns it into paper,\nand leaves it in the basket."
obs=`echo '' $obs '' | sed -e "s/ $obj / /" -e 's/^ //' -e 's/ $//'`
else echo "The daemon is nowhere to be found."
fi
;;
*) echo 'At what?'
;;
esac
;;
*) echo "Throw $obj at what?"
;;
esac
else echo " $kn " | fgrep " $obj " >&- 2>&-
if [ $? = 0 ]
then echo 'It is in your knapsack.'
found=false
else echo "I see no $obj here."
fi
fi
else echo 'Throw what?'
fi
;;
u|up) if cd ..
then echo 'You pull yourself up a level.'
else echo "You can't reach that high."
fi
;;
wake) if [ "$obj" ]
then echo "You awaken the $obj monster:"
env PATH=$OPATH $obj $x
echo 'The monster slithers back into the darkness.'
else echo 'Wake what?'
fi
;;
w|where) echo "You are in $room."
;;
xyzzy) if cd
then echo 'A strange feeling comes over you.'
else echo 'Your spell fizzles out.'
fi
;;
*) if [ "$verb" ]
then if sh -c $wiz
then env PATH=$OPATH $verb $obj $x
else echo "I don't know how to \"$verb\"."
echo 'Type "help" for assistance.'
fi
else echo 'Say something!'
fi
;;
esac
done