Object Descriptors by Peter Orme

Object Descriptors adds the ability to list properties of objects, a bit like the "showme" command does, but this makes it available from other code (for example, for inclusion in debug logs).

We can add rules to customize which properties are listed when we're inspecting a specific object kind.

The extension comes with rules already set up for many of the built-in kinds such as containers and people, but it is easy to add additional rules for other kinds.

Example: * The Den - just describing some things

This example just sets up some random objects, and there's a "when play begins" rule that iterates over all the things and list the properties. This is just to give you and idea of how this works. It also illustrates how to add a new rule for a specific kind.

"The Den"

Include Object Descriptors by Peter Orme.

The Den is a room.

The wooden chest is a container in the den. It is closed, openable.

Mrs Benson is a woman in the den.

the marble bench is a supporter in the den. It is fixed in place.

the portal is a door. It is outside from the den.

the rat king is an animal in the den. The indefinite article is "a". it is plural-named.

The laser slicer is a switched off, unlit device in the den.

after switching on the laser slicer:
     now the laser slicer is lit;
     continue the action.

after switching off the laser slicer:
     now the laser slicer is unlit;
     continue the action.

a wooz is a kind of thing. a wooz can be floppy or stiff.

an Object Descriptor rule for a wooz (called item):
     if the item is floppy, add "floppy" to the descriptor list;
     if the item is stiff, add "stiff" to the descriptor list;

There is a floppy edible wooz called a spongy cake in the lab.

when play begins:
     repeat with item running through things:
         say "[item] - [the object descriptors of the item].";