Turn-based game - experimental economics

[Paolo Crosetto]

In data sabato 05 settembre 2009 21:47:41, Dennis Lee Bieber ha scritto:

> Much better to just send the token TO the active client (which is
> responsible for returning it at the end of its turn processing) 

Dennis,

I am finally getting my head round this problem. I do have a further question, 
though.

I am using XMLRPC as server. It is quite convenient since it handles all low-
level network stuff for me. On the other hand, though, it seems I cannot make 
the server actually _send_ anything to the clients; it just sits there and 
waits for calls.
This is rather inconvenient for me, as every time I need to send the clients 
some information (eg, the state of the game) I have to formulate the problem 
as a specific call from each client. This can indeed be done quite easily, but 
the end result is a staggering amount of calls to the server, and high cpu 
usage - this might as well slow down the network in the lab, I guess.

If you look at the pseudocode you sent me - and I implemented - you see, on 
the clients side, where the -->**** are, that a call to update is made over 
and over again.

-=-=-=-=-=- "Display"

connect to "game"
ACTIVE = False
while True:
        get game data                                ---> *****
        update console display                  ---> *****
        ACTIVE = game data == active token
        if ACTIVE:
                get user input
                if user input == EndTurn:
                        ACTIVE = False
                send user input
                if user input == QUIT:
                        break
disconnect from "game"


Is there any way of telling XMLRPC 'send this and this to all clients 
connected'?
Or should I use another server-side technology? I have no much experience in 
writing network programs - this is my first - and I'd rather not go into 
complicated stuff.

Thanks!
-- 
Paolo Crosetto
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PhD Student in Economics
DEAS - Department of Economics - University of Milan
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