RARS FAQ:
Robot Auto Racing Simulation (RARS) Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated 14 April 1995; current RARS version 0.50.
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What is RARS?
From the RARS 0.50 announcement:
The Robot Auto Racing Simulation (RARS) is a simulation of auto
racing in which the cars are driven by robots. Its purpose is
two-fold: to serve as a vehicle for Artificial Intelligence
development and as a recreational competition among software
authors. The host software, including source, is available at no
charge.
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Other resources
ftp://magdanoz.mcafee.com/bin/ftp/rars
RARS FTP site; uploads go in "../uploads". This site is maintained
[link lost in import: /~bsr/rars.html]
RARS Home Page
[link lost in import: /~dgymer/rars/]
Alternative RARS Home Page
containing "subscribe rars-list" in the message body. To
unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rars-list" to the same address. The
A digest of the juiciest posts is sent to rec.autos.simulators,
comp.ai.games, and any other interested parties once a week. This
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What platforms does RARS run on?
The standard distribution contains machine-dependant code for the
IBM PC and Borland C++. Porting is generally restricted to two
files, one for operating system functions and one for graphics
functions. The rest of the code is written in portable C++. Robot
drivers can be written in any language which is link compatible
with the C++ compiler used to build the main code. A Borland
executable is distributed seperately.
I have done a "port" of the linux version to AIX.
It is a matter of some #include's #ifdef'd AIX
Amiga version Release 2, based on the RARS 0.45 sources.
Special requirements:
AmigaOS Release 2.04 or better.
An 68020 CPU or better.
The SAS/C 6.55 compiler to recompile the sources.
An FPU is highly recommended as it will speed up the simulation
considerably.
The reason that this release requires at least an 68020 is that I
have discovered what turns out to be a bug in the SAS/C 6.55
compiler which can only be worked around if you compile for an
68020 and not use the optimizer.
This port can be obtained from the normal FTP site, or from
AmiNet: ftp://ftp.luth.se/pub/aminet/misc/sci/RARS_Amiga_2.lha.
I've ported RARS 0.50 to DJGPP (GNU C/C++ for DOS) using libGRX.
The graphics are still lacking polish (there's no flood fill, for
example) and the OS timer function has been ignored. This version
is about twice as fast as the Borland one running in "fast" mode,
but requires a 386 or better.
This port was done for two reasons; first, to see just how much
better GNU C/C++ was over Borland; and second, to interface a
driver written in Ada95 using GNAT. The latter is still "to do".
Linux:
There is a Linux port on the FTP site.
Can someone supply more details?
I've ported RARS to the Mac; it is not complete yet but it runs. I
used the 0.5 version of RARS. When I get it to draw all the
strings cleanly, then I'll post the sources.
The Mac version does not accept command line options but allows
the user to enter simulation options through a dialog before the
simulation is run. Otherwise, everything else is the same (for
now).
There's an OS/2 port in the works from one of my colleagues...
I am currently restarting my Symantec C++ port. There's nothing to
it except for the changes to the graphics (to 320x240x256 I
expect, due to the availability of XLIB).
Unix:
There is some sort of generic Unix port (presumably using X11) on
the FTP site.
Can someone supply more details?
Visual C++: (Ronald Hasenberger):
I'm working on a port to MSVC (Microsoft Visual C++) under MSDOS
and will maybe port it farther to Windows.
I'm also trying to improve the (object-)structure of the software,
based on V0.5. This includes headers for all files and a bit more
object orientation of the system.
Watcom:
There is a Watcom C++ port on the FTP site.
Can someone supply more details?
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Miscellaneous
How do I write a robot driver?
Firstly, look at the "tut3.cpp" robot in the 0.50 source code;
it's heavily commented. Then read the tutorials; they should be
available from the FTP site, and are also on the Alternative
RARS Home Page.
Can I compare my robot against those of others?
There are some more robot drivers on the FTP site. On 30 April
there will be the first competition race; see the file
"race.ann" on the FTP site for details.
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Compiled and maintained by (Dave `Gizmo' Gymer)
[link lost in import: /~dgymer/]
-- Dave "Gizmo" Gymer Telephone +44 (0)1268 534228
-- General DataComm Advanced Research Centre Ltd, Basildon, UK
