abishekvashok / cmatrix

Terminal based "The Matrix" like implementation
GNU General Public License v3.0
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able to read and display Tang poetry. #181

Open nonoah opened 9 months ago

nonoah commented 9 months ago

Make cmatrix able to display Chinese characters, specifically Tang poetry. the following is one way to implement the feature: (I only took one C class in College, and that was a few decades ago, so now with the help of chatgpt, hopefully with these results, you guys can implement it in no time.)

To add the new -t option, you will need to identify where cmatrix performs its option parsing. This might be immediately within the main function or in a dedicated function that main calls. You need to locate the section of code where there is a loop over argv, examining each element using conditions or, in some cases, a switch-case statement.

Once you have located the command-line parsing code, you will need to decide where to insert the new -t option. A natural place for this is in the loop where other single-character flags are being checked. Assuming that the program uses a structure like getopt or a custom method to parse arguments, you should add a case for 't' within the switch-case statement or as part of an if-else chain.

After finding where to add the new case for -t, introduce a new variable or flag in the settings structure to keep track of whether the user has activated the Tang poetry option. This might look something like:

c struct settings { ... int display_poetry; // New flag for Tang poetry display ... };

...

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) { struct settings opts = {0}; // Initialize settings structure ...

while ((opt = getopt(argc, argv, "abcth")) != -1) {
    switch (opt) {
        case 'a':
            // Existing flag handling
            break;
        case 'b':
            // Existing flag handling
            break;
        ...
        case 't':
            opts.display_poetry = 1; // Set the flag for displaying poetry
            break;
        ...
        default:
            // Handle unknown options
            break;
    }
}
...

}

In the example above, a new member display_poetry is added to the settings structure. This member is set to 1 when the -t option is detected. This modification in the command-line parsing logic allows the program to remember the user's choice throughout its execution.

Remember to include any external files or headers necessary to support the Unicode handling required for the Tang poetry display. This might entail including C standard libraries like wchar.h for wide character support or others pertinent to Unicode file handling and console output.

The next steps after altering the command-line parsing include creating or modifying functions to handle the reading and displaying of Tang poetry files. This feature will use the display_poetry flag to conditionally execute the new functionality based on the user's input. It will also need to be integrated into the main event loop of cmatrix to ensure that the poetry is displayed correctly when the -t option is specified.

To incorporate the '-t' option into cmatrix, it is necessary to augment the argument parsing logic, which involves the following steps: expanding the argument data structure to account for the new option, modifying the parser to recognize and handle the '-t' flag, and ensuring the updated help message reflects the new functionality.

Expanding the Argument Data Structure

The first task is to update the data structure that holds program settings. This structure usually contains flags or settings that are affected by command-line options. By convention, these settings are typically represented as boolean (or integer with a 0 or 1 value) variables within a struct. Here's how you might extend an existing settings struct in cmatrix:

c typedef struct { int bold_as_bright; // ... Other existing settings ... int display_poetry; // New flag for displaying Tang poetry } cmatrix_settings_t;

void init_settings(cmatrix_settings_t *settings) { settings->bold_as_bright = 0; // ... Initialize other settings to default values ... settings->display_poetry = 0; // Default is not to display poetry }

In the code snippet above, display_poetry is initialized to 0, indicating that the program will not display Tang poetry unless explicitly enabled by the user.

Modifying the Command-Line Parser

The command-line parser in a C program typically uses the getopt library function. This function iterates over all command-line arguments and matches them against a predefined list of valid options. To add support for the '-t' option, update the string that getopt uses to define acceptable flags and modify the switch-case statement or corresponding conditional that processes each flag:

c

include // For getopt

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) { cmatrix_settings_t settings; int opt;

init_settings(&settings);

while ((opt = getopt(argc, argv, "abcth")) != -1) {
    switch (opt) {
        // ... Handle other options ...
        case 't':
            settings.display_poetry = 1;
            break;
        // ... Handle cases for invalid options or missing values ...
    }
}

// ... The rest of the main function ...

}

In this updated code, getopt is now told to recognize the '-t' option (as included in the argument string "abcth"). When it encounters '-t', it sets the display_poetry setting to 1, which later logic in the program can check to decide whether or not to display poetry.

Updating the Help Message

For user convenience, it is essential to update the program's help message to include information about the new '-t' option. Typically, help text is printed either when the program is invoked with -h or --help, or when an invalid option is used. Here is an example of how you might update the help text:

c void print_help(const char* progname) { printf("Usage: %s [options]\n", progname); printf("Options:\n"); // ... print existing options ... printf(" -t Display Tang poetry on the screen.\n"); // ... print other details, possibly including usage examples or defaults ... }

This function should be called in the appropriate place, usually in the section of the argument parsing logic that handles the '-h' or unrecognized options.

Ensuring the Program Runs with the '-t' Option

Once the parsing logic and help message have been updated, it is important to verify that the program can now be run with the -t option without any errors. Although the actual display logic for the Tang poetry is not yet implemented, running the program with -t should not produce any parsing errors or unexpected behavior. To test this:

bash ./cmatrix -t

Invoking the program with the -t option should now result in the display_poetry setting being set appropriately within the program's configuration. Even though no visual changes will occur at this point, ensuring there are no errors when the option is used is a critical verification step before moving forward with the implementation of the poetry display functionality.

The parsing and option management infrastructure is now ready for the next phase: designing and implementing the actual functionality to read Unicode poetry files and display them in the console. This is a foundational step before integrating this new feature into the core matrix effect loop of cmatrix.

To achieve the task of displaying Tang poetry in the cmatrix program, we must develop a function capable of properly handling Unicode files. The function we'll develop will read the files, handle the content and format it for console output. This involves managing potential complications such as varying line lengths and handling file I/O errors. Here's how we can approach creating this function in C:

Defining the Poetry Reader Function Signature

Let's define the function signature to be clear on the inputs and outputs:

c

include

int read_poetry_file(const char *filepath, wchar_t **poetry_lines, size_t line_count);

In this signature:

filepath points to the file containing Tang poetry.

poetry_lines is a pointer to an array of wide character strings, which will contain the loaded poetry lines.

line_count is a pointer to a size_t variable that will store the number of lines read from the file.

The function will return an integer value that indicates success (0) or failure (-1), which is a common convention in C programming.

Reading Unicode Content

Because Tang poetry might contain characters that extend beyond the ASCII set, we need to read the file as Unicode. The C Standard Library provides wide character types and functions (in ) for this purpose.

The fopen() function can be used to open a file; however, for wide characters, we will use the wide character variant fgetws() to read the file line by line:

c FILE *file = fopen(filepath, "r,ccs=UTF-8"); if (file == NULL) { perror("Error opening poetry file"); return -1; }

The ccs=UTF-8 mode ensures the file is correctly interpreted as UTF-8 encoded Unicode.

Allocating Memory for the Poetry Lines

The next step is to allocate memory for the poetry lines:

c size_t capacity = 16; // Initial capacity for the array of lines *wchar_t *lines = malloc(capacity sizeof(wchar_t *)); if (lines == NULL) { perror("Memory allocation failed for poetry lines"); fclose(file); return -1; }

We start with an initial capacity, which we can dynamically expand as needed when reading the file.

Reading and Storing Poetry Lines

The main part of the function will loop over the file, reading each line and storing it in the allocated array:

c size_t idx = 0; wchar_t buffer = NULL; size_t buflen = 0; // getline will automatically allocate while (getdelim(&buffer, &buflen, L'\n', file) != -1) { if (idx >= capacity) { // Reallocate with more space capacity = 2; wchar_t *new_lines = realloc(lines, capacity sizeof(wchar_t )); if (new_lines == NULL) { perror("Memory reallocation failed for poetry lines"); // Cleanup already read lines for (size_t i = 0; i < idx; i++) { free(lines[i]); } free(lines); free(buffer); fclose(file); return -1; } lines = new_lines; } lines[idx++] = wcsdup(buffer); } free(buffer); // Buffer allocated by getdelim should be freed poetry_lines = lines; *line_count = idx;

Note that we use getdelim() instead of fgetws() here, which is a GNU extension that provides more flexibility. It automatically allocates a buffer for each line read, which needs to be freed after copying.

Also, we use wcsdup() to duplicate the line buffer; this function allocates a new memory block for the string copy, which we later manage in the lines array.

Handling File and Reading Errors

Errors might occur while opening the file or reading from it. These need to be handled gracefully, as shown in the code above. We use perror to print error messages to the standard error output related to file operations.

Memory Cleanup

Proper memory management is vital in C programs. We must ensure that all dynamically allocated memory is appropriately freed, and file descriptors are closed:

c if (fclose(file) != 0) { perror("Error closing poetry file"); // Cleanup already read lines for (size_t i = 0; i < line_count; i++) { free((poetry_lines)[i]); } free(*poetry_lines); return -1; }

Calling fclose and checking its return value is important to ensure the file is properly closed, and to catch any errors that might occur in the process (for example, when flushing a write buffer).

Function Usage

The created function will be called within the main program, and the resulting array of strings will be passed to the display logic, which integrates with the cmatrix effects.

The display logic is responsible for taking the array of poetry lines and rendering them to the console in a visually pleasing manner. It will need to handle aspects such as screen dimensions, positioning, and timing to present the poetry as a seamless addition to the existing cmatrix visual effects.

Conclusion

Implementing the read_poetry_file function is a critical step toward adding the ability to display Tang poetry within the cmatrix program. By carefully managing Unicode file reading and memory allocation, we can load and process the poetry in a way that maintains the integrity of the content and ensures that it is ready for display. Following this, the focus shifts to integrating this functionality with the main program loop to render the poetry lines on the console when the -t option is activated.

Integrating the Tang poetry display functionality into the cmatrix program's main loop is a delicate task. It requires the program to conditionally alternate between its default behavior and the new poetry display mode based on the user's input. The existing infrastructure of cmatrix is primarily designed for dynamic content that changes with every screen refresh, which contrasts with the static nature of Tang poetry display. As such, we must carefully insert the new logic in a way that does not disrupt the flow of the program while also ensuring that the poetry is displayed accurately and aesthetically.

Modifying the Main Loop

The main loop of the cmatrix program is where the action takes place. It's a loop that continually updates the screen to create the iconic scrolling effect. To accommodate the poetry display, we need to modify this loop to introduce a conditional check that determines whether to proceed with the default behavior or to invoke the poetry display functionality.

Let's consider the following approach:

c int main(int argc, char *argv[]) { // ... existing initialization and setup code ...

// New variables for poetry mode
int poetry_mode_enabled = 0;
wchar_t **poetry_lines = NULL;
size_t poetry_line_count = 0;

// ... existing code for parsing arguments ...

// After parsing arguments, check if '-t' option is enabled
if (t_option_enabled) {
    poetry_mode_enabled = 1;
    // Invoke the function to load poetry lines
    if (read_poetry_file(poetry_filepath, &poetry_lines, &poetry_line_count) == -1) {
        fprintf(stderr, "Failed to read poetry file\n");
        // Handle error, possibly exit the program
        return EXIT_FAILURE;
    }
}

// ... existing loop setup ...

while (1) {
    // Check if poetry mode is enabled
    if (poetry_mode_enabled) {
        // Call the poetry display function
        display_poetry(poetry_lines, poetry_line_count);
    } else {
        // Proceed with the default cmatrix behavior
        update_screen();
    }

    // Refresh the screen
    refresh();

    // ... existing timing and input handling ...
}

// ... existing cleanup code ...

}

In this modified loop, the poetry_mode_enabled flag is used to determine which path to take. If the -t option is enabled, the read_poetry_file function is called to load the poetry into memory. Then, within the loop, the display_poetry function is called if poetry_mode_enabled is true.

Displaying the Poetry

The display_poetry function must handle the requirements of displaying the poetry on various terminal sizes. To do this, we need to gather information about the terminal size and calculate the positioning of the text. In addition, the refresh rate needs to be considered to ensure that the static text does not flicker or refresh unnecessarily.

Here is a prototype of the display_poetry function that takes this into account:

c void display_poetry(wchar_t **poetry_lines, size_t poetry_line_count) { // Retrieve terminal dimensions int rows, cols; getmaxyx(stdscr, rows, cols);

// Calculate the position to start displaying the poetry
int x_position = (cols - max_line_width(poetry_lines, poetry_line_count)) / 2;
int y_position = (rows - poetry_line_count) / 2;

// Clear the screen once before displaying poetry
clear();

// Display each line of the poetry
for (size_t i = 0; i < poetry_line_count; ++i) {
    mvaddwstr(y_position + i, x_position, poetry_lines[i]);
}

// Update the screen once after all lines are displayed
refresh();

// Wait for user input or time delay before refreshing again
napms(5000); // example delay of 5 seconds
int ch = getch();
if (ch == 'q' || ch == KEY_EXIT) {
    // Exit poetry mode
    poetry_mode_enabled = 0;
    clear();
}

}

This function begins by clearing the screen, as we want to replace the dynamic matrix effect with static poetry text. It calculates the starting position of the poetry to center it in the terminal window, then iterates through the poetry lines, displaying them using mvaddwstr, which moves the cursor to the specified position and adds a wide string. After displaying all the lines, the screen is refreshed.

We introduce a delay with napms to pause the automatic refreshing typical of cmatrix. The pause duration could be a parameter or user configurable. We also check for user input, allowing the user to quit poetry mode by pressing 'q'.

Handling Screen Size and Refresh Rate

Proper handling of terminal resizing is vital when displaying static text like poetry. When the terminal is resized, the display should adjust accordingly. This can be done by capturing the SIGWINCH signal, which is raised on terminal resize, and setting a flag that tells the main loop to reposition the poetry text.

Additionally, in the regular cmatrix mode, the screen refresh rate is crucial for achieving the desired visual effect. For poetry display, however, it is sufficient to refresh the screen only after user actions or when terminal resize events occur. A static display avoids the flicker effect, which is undesirable for reading static text.

Conclusion

By introducing these changes to the main loop and creating a dedicated display function, the cmatrix program can seamlessly switch between its default dynamic display and the new poetry mode. The correct display of the poetry, including handling varying screen sizes and avoiding unnecessary screen refreshes, ensures that the Tang poetry is presented in a format conducive to contemplative reading, offering a serene counterpoint to the otherwise lively backdrop of the cmatrix simulation. The integration of static text display within a dynamic environment like cmatrix requires careful attention to the refresh logic and user interaction, balancing the aesthetics of stillness against the backdrop of motion.

Incorporating static poetry display into the dynamic environment of cmatrix necessitates an adaptation of the refresh logic to accommodate the fundamentally different requirements of the static content. Since cmatrix is designed for constant movement on the screen, special consideration must be given to pausing this effect, managing the timing between poems, and utilizing the existing screen handling code effectively.

The primary challenge here is to suspend the constant refreshing inherent to the scrolling effect while presenting poetry, and then to resume it as needed. To achieve this, we need to delve into the mechanisms that control screen refreshes in cmatrix and modify them to introduce a static display mode.

Suspending Scrolling Logic

The scrolling logic in cmatrix relies on a loop that updates each column of the terminal at a high refresh rate to simulate continuous falling characters. When introducing the poetry display, the program must conditionally suspend this logic. One approach to manage this could be to use a state variable that indicates the current mode of operation – scrolling or static display. Based on the value of this state variable, the loop can skip the scrolling updates:

c enum Mode { MATRIX_SCROLL, POETRY_STATIC };

Mode current_mode = MATRIX_SCROLL;

// Main loop while (running) { switch (current_mode) { case MATRIX_SCROLL: update_scroll(); break; case POETRY_STATIC: // No scroll update needed, static content is shown break; }

// Standard screen refresh logic
refresh_screen();

// Additional logic to switch mode goes here...

}

With this state control, the main loop can effectively jump between modes, allowing cmatrix to retain its dynamic appearance when not in poetry mode and to stop the refresh when displaying poetry. It's essential to note that the actual screen refresh function (refresh_screen) still gets called, which is a prerequisite for screen updates after user actions or window changes.

Managing Poem Display Timing

Displaying a poem statically involves presenting it on the screen for a certain duration before either returning to the matrix scroll or moving on to the next poem. This duration can either be a pre-configured value or controlled by user input. A straightforward mechanism to manage the timing between poems is to utilize napms() to implement a delay. This must be done carefully to avoid freezing the entire application; hence, it must accommodate user inputs, such as a keystroke to immediately return to the scrolling effect or to the next poem:

c // In the poetry static display case: case POETRY_STATIC: // Logic for handling delay or user input goes here int ch = getch(); if (ch == KEY_NEXT_POEM) { load_next_poem(); display_poem(current_poem); } else if (ch == KEY_EXIT_POETRY) { current_mode = MATRIX_SCROLL; } else { // If no key is pressed, maintain a delay napms(poetry_display_duration); } break;

This code snippet demonstrates how user input can be captured during the static display of a poem to control the flow of the program.

Leveraging Existing Screen Handling

The existing screen handling code within cmatrix, which includes handling resizing events and refreshing content, is a resource that should be fully leveraged when displaying static text. To do so, we can hook into the existing signal handler for window change events (SIGWINCH) to ensure that the static content is appropriately centered and resized along with the dynamic content:

c void handle_winch(int sig) { // Existing resizing logic...

if (current_mode == POETRY_STATIC) {
    // Adjust the poetry display to the new size
    display_poem(current_poem);
}

}

By placing the static content refresh inside the existing signal handler, the application can maintain its responsiveness to terminal size changes. This is vital for a seamless user experience, as terminal windows are often resized, and content display should adapt accordingly.

Ensuring Consistency in Refresh Rates

While cmatrix relies on rapid refresh rates for its scrolling effect, such behavior is unnecessary for displaying static poetry. However, it's important to maintain consistency with screen refresh rates. The static display must refresh the screen only when necessary, like when the poem first appears, the terminal is resized, or the user provides input:

c case POETRY_STATIC: if (should_display_poem) { display_poem(current_poem); should_display_poem = false; } // Delay and input handling code...

Here, should_display_poem is a flag that ensures the display_poem() function is called only when needed. This approach conserves system resources and avoids the flickering that can occur with unnecessary screen refreshes.

In conclusion, integrating static poetry display into the cmatrix main logic necessitates control over the program's mode of operation, implementing timing mechanisms for display duration, leveraging existing screen handling code for responsiveness, and ensuring that refresh rates are appropriate for static content. By carefully modifying the program's control flow, managing user interactions, and utilizing established mechanisms for screen updates, cmatrix can be expanded to include contemplative static displays of Tang poetry, offering users an enriched experience.

Comprehensive Testing of the '-t' Option in CMatrix

Terminal Size Compatibility

Testing the new '-t' option in cmatrix begins with ensuring that the program correctly adapts to different terminal sizes. The display of Tang poetry must remain legible, properly centered, and aesthetically in line with the dynamic matrix effect regardless of the window dimensions. This calls for a set of automated and manual test cases that adjust the terminal size while the poetry is being displayed to verify the reactivity of the program.

Automated Resizing Tests

Automated tests can be scripted using tools like xdotool or resize on Unix-like systems to programmatically adjust terminal dimensions. A test script will perform a sequence of size changes—such as maximizing the window, setting to predefined dimensions, and minimizing—then capture the output to assess if the poetry maintains its structural integrity without overlap or truncation:

sh

!/bin/bash

List of terminal sizes to test (WIDTHxHEIGHT)

sizes=("800x600" "1024x768" "640x480" "maximized" "minimized")

Launch cmatrix with the '-t' option in the background

cmatrix -t & CMATRIX_PID=$!

Function to resize the terminal window

resize_window() { if [ "$1" == "maximized" ]; then xdotool windowsize $(xdotool getactivewindow) 100% 100% elif [ "$1" == "minimized" ]; then xdotool windowminimize $(xdotool getactivewindow) else xdotool windowsize $(xdotool getactivewindow) $1 fi }

Test resizing to each of the defined sizes

for size in "${sizes[@]}"; do resize_window $size sleep 2 # Allow time for the program to adapt to the new size done

Cleanup

kill $CMATRIX_PID

Manual Observation Tests

Supplementing automated tests, manual testing involves changing the terminal size randomly and observing whether the poetic content is disrupted. This is necessary because user behavior can be unpredictable, and the automated tests may not cover all possible variations in window adjustments. While resizing, it's important to pay attention to details such as font rendering, character alignment, and spacing between lines and stanzas to ensure that the readability and presentation are uncompromised.

File Format Handling

cmatrix must handle Unicode files correctly to display Tang poetry. This necessitates verifying that the program accepts a variety of Unicode file encodings such as UTF-8, UTF-16, and that any byte-order mark (BOM) is appropriately managed. For this test, different files, each encoded in a distinct Unicode format, will be presented to the program to ensure consistent rendering of the poems.

Encoding Compatibility Tests

A set of example poetry files will be created with different Unicode encodings. The cmatrix program will be executed with the -t option for each file, and the output will be examined. Any rendering issues or errors will indicate problems with how the program handles specific encodings.

sh

!/bin/bash

List of example poetry files with different encodings

files=("poem_utf8.txt" "poem_utf16le.txt" "poem_utf16be.txt")

for file in "${files[@]}"; do cmatrix -t -f $file

User validation required to confirm correct display

read -p "Press ENTER after validating the display for $file"

done

Stability and Visual Consistency

Stability and visual consistency are paramount for the '-t' option. These are the indicators of a seamless user experience. The tests for these criteria involve running cmatrix with the poetry display for extended periods and in different system states, such as high CPU load or while other processes are running that could affect display performance.

Longevity Tests

The longevity test involves running cmatrix with the '-t' option continuously, switching between multiple poetry files and the matrix effect over several hours. This stress test will expose any inconsistencies or degradation in performance that could occur over time.

sh

!/bin/bash

Running cmatrix in poetry mode in a loop

for ((i=0; i<48; i++)); do cmatrix -t -f "poem_$(($i % 10)).txt" sleep 10 # Static display duration for each file done

Memory Leak and Resource Utilization Checks

Testing for memory leaks and responsible resource utilization is critical. valgrind is a powerful tool that can be used to detect any memory leaks in the application. By executing cmatrix under valgrind and observing the report, any memory not properly freed can be identified and fixed.

Valgrind Memory Leak Detection

To assess the memory integrity of the -t option implementation, cmatrix can be run under valgrind using the following command, then interacted with as a user would to ensure all pathways are covered:

sh valgrind --leak-check=yes cmatrix -t

The output of valgrind must be carefully reviewed to pinpoint exact locations in the code where leaks occur, if any. Appropriate fixes must then be implemented, followed by re-running the tests until valgrind indicates no leaks are present.

Summary

The testing phase for the new '-t' option in cmatrix is comprehensive and multidimensional, addressing terminal size compatibility, file format handling, stability, and visual consistency, as well as memory leaks and resource utilization. This methodical approach ensures that the end-user experience is not only functionally reliable but also upholds the visual enchantment that cmatrix aims to deliver.

In the subsequent step, to demonstrate the successful integration and functionality of these features, it is necessary to provide example poetry files in Unicode format. These files should contain a selection of Tang poetry, appropriately formatted to be processed and displayed by the modified program.

Creating Example Poetry Files for CMatrix '-t' Option

As part of the cmatrix project's new feature that allows the display of Tang poetry, we need to create several Unicode text files containing different pieces of Tang poetry. These files are meant to serve as the primary content for the '-t' option and must be properly formatted to be compatible with the program's text display capabilities. The cmatrix program's modified version should be able to read these files and seamlessly integrate the contents within the scrolling matrix effect on the terminal.

File Formatting Standards

Tang poetry is traditionally composed in classical Chinese, which necessitates the use of Unicode to accurately represent the characters. Therefore, the creation of example poetry files must adhere to Unicode formatting standards. For the sake of compatibility across different systems and configurations, UTF-8 is the chosen encoding for these files. UTF-8 is widely supported and can handle all the characters needed for the Tang poetry without requiring special configuration by the user.

Each poem should be separated into its own text file. Within each file, the poems will be formatted to ensure that when displayed, they align with the columns of the matrix effect, do not exceed the terminal width, and are easily readable. These formatting constraints require careful attention to line wrapping, indentation, and interline spacing.

Naming Convention

To maintain order and ease of access to the poetry files, a systematic naming convention will be adopted. Each file will be named using the format tangpoem.txt, where is a sequential identifier starting from 001. This naming strategy will facilitate automated testing and user selection of poems for display.

Creating the Files

A selection of Tang poems will be chosen to provide a diverse range of content for testing and demonstration. Below are examples of how the poem content will be structured within the text files:

plaintext

tang_poem_001.txt

靜夜思 李白

床前明月光, 疑是地上霜。 舉頭望山月, 低頭思故鄉。

plaintext

tang_poem_002.txt

早發白帝城 李白

朝辭白帝彩雲間, 千里江陵一日還。 兩岸猿聲啼不住, 輕舟已過萬重山。

File Preparation and Testing

To ensure these files are functional within the context of cmatrix, they will undergo a rigorous preparation and testing process:

Poetry Selection: Poems are selected from a reputable source that provides accurate representations of the original Tang poetry.

Text Editing: The selected poems are transcribed into text files using a plain text editor that supports UTF-8 encoding.

Encoding Verification: Each file's encoding is verified using tools like file or iconv on Unix-like systems, ensuring that UTF-8 encoding is consistently applied.

Formatting Check: A script is used to validate the format of each poem, confirming proper alignment, spacing, and that lines do not exceed a predefined character limit suitable for standard terminal widths.

Integration Testing: The files are then integrated with the cmatrix program and manually tested to confirm that the poetry displays correctly within the matrix effect when the '-t' option is activated. Automated testing scripts are also created to test each file in sequence.

Review and Revision: The output is reviewed, and any necessary adjustments are made to the poem files to address visual inconsistencies or formatting issues detected during testing.

Repository Inclusion

Once created and validated, these example poetry files will be included in the project repository under a dedicated directory named poetry. This ensures that testers and users have immediate access to content that is ready for use with the new '-t' feature. The directory structure would be as follows:

plaintext cmatrix/ ├── src/ ├── include/ ├── poetry/ │ ├── tang_poem_001.txt │ ├── tang_poem_002.txt │ └── ... └── README.md

Quality Assurance

Quality assurance for the poetry files involves both technical correctness and cultural sensitivity. The technical aspect ensures that the files work with the software without causing encoding issues, crashes, or unexpected behavior. The cultural aspect requires that the poems are presented respectfully and authentically, with proper credit given to the original poets.

Conclusion

In summary, the creation of Tang poetry example files for the cmatrix program is an essential step in demonstrating the new '-t' option's functionality. By following the outlined process for file preparation and inclusion in the project repository, we ensure that the poetry display feature is accessible, reliable, and respectful of the cultural heritage it represents.

Good documentation is essential for new features. The help files and any online documentation should be updated to reflect the addition of the '-t' option for displaying Tang poetry.

Updating Documentation and Help Files for CMatrix '-t' Option

README File Updates

The README.md file serves as the first point of reference for users looking to understand the functionalities and options available in the cmatrix program. With the introduction of the '-t' option to display Tang poetry, the following additions and updates should be made to the README.md file:

New Feature Description

Under the "Features" section, add the following entry:

Tang Poetry Display (-t): Enjoy the serene beauty of classic Tang dynasty poetry elegantly integrated into the matrix effect. Activate this feature with the '-t' option followed by the path to a Unicode text file containing Tang poetry.

Usage Section Update

Expand the "Usage" section to include the '-t' option:

-t [FILE] : Enable Tang poetry display using the specified text file.

Provide an example command showing how to use the new option:

cmatrix -t poetry/tang_poem_001.txt

File Location Information

Include a new subsection titled "Tang Poetry Files" to inform users about the location and format of the poetry files:

Tang Poetry Files

The Tang poetry files are located in the 'poetry/' directory of the cmatrix repository. Each file is formatted in UTF-8 encoding and contains one poem. The files follow a naming convention: 'tangpoem.txt'. When using the '-t' option, provide the path to your desired poetry file.

In-Program Help Updates

The in-program help, typically accessible by running cmatrix --help or cmatrix -h, requires updating to include guidance on using the '-t' option. This help is usually defined in the source code where command-line options are processed. The following addition should be made to the in-program help output:

-t [FILE] Display Tang poetry from the specified file. The file must be in Unicode (UTF-8) format and located in the 'poetry/' directory of the cmatrix installation. Example: cmatrix -t poetry/tang_poem_001.txt

Man Page Update

The manual page (man cmatrix) is often consulted for more detailed information on the usage of the program. It is crucial to update this documentation to incorporate the new '-t' option. In the "OPTIONS" section, the following entry should be added:

-t FILE Enable the display of Tang poetry. This option requires a path to a Unicode text file that contains the desired Tang poem. The cmatrix program reads and displays the contents of this file, integrating it into the matrix effect. The poetry files should be placed in the 'poetry/' directory and must be encoded in UTF-8 to ensure proper rendering. Example usage: cmatrix -t poetry/tang_poem_001.txt

In the "FILES" section, a description of the poetry file directory and naming convention should be included:

FILES /usr/share/cmatrix/poetry/ This directory contains the Tang poetry files for use with the '-t' option. Each file is named following the pattern 'tangpoem.txt' and contains one poem in UTF-8 encoding.

Additional Documentation Updates

If the cmatrix project maintains additional documentation such as a FAQ, Wiki, or user guide, these resources should also be updated to reflect the new functionality:

FAQ Section: Add a question about how to display Tang poetry with cmatrix, providing brief instructions and directing users to the README for more information.

Wiki/Guide: Create a new page or section that specifically addresses the poetry display feature. It should provide a detailed explanation of how the feature works, showcase usage examples, and offer troubleshooting tips if the poetry is not displaying correctly.

Code Comments: Ensure that the source code includes comments explaining the implementation of the '-t' option, as this will assist future contributors in understanding the changes made to introduce the Tang poetry feature.

Version Update Considerations

It is essential that the documentation reflects the version of cmatrix in which the '-t' option was introduced. If the version number has been updated to signify the addition of the new feature, this should be indicated at the top of the README file and in any other version-specific documentation. The changelog should detail the addition of the '-t' option and any other changes or improvements made in the release.

Documentation Accessibility

To maintain accessibility, ensure that the documentation is clear and easy to understand. Avoid technical jargon where possible or provide explanations for terms that may not be widely understood. The documentation should cater to both new users and those with more experience using command-line tools.

Localization and Internationalization

If cmatrix supports localization, consider translating the updated documentation into other supported languages. This would involve working with translators or the community to provide accurate and culturally appropriate translations that reflect the new '-t' option and its usage.

Preparing for Release

With all code changes completed and tested, and the documentation updated, the final step is to prepare for the release. This includes updating version numbers, creating a changelog entry, and possibly tagging the repository.

Incrementing the Version Number

Version numbering is a critical aspect of software release management, as it provides users with an indicator of the software's stage of development and the introduction of new features or bug fixes. The Semantic Versioning (SemVer) system is a commonly accepted standard for version numbers, which follows the MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH format. According to this system, the addition of the new '-t' option to cmatrix warrants an increment in the minor version number as it introduces new functionality in a backward-compatible manner.

To increment the version number for cmatrix:

Identify the current version number from the source code, often defined in a file such as version.h, CMakeLists.txt, or possibly in documentation files where the version is mentioned.

Determine the appropriate new version number. If the current version is, for instance, 1.2.0, the new version with the added '-t' option should be 1.3.0.

Update the version number in all locations where it appears. This may include:

The version.h file or its equivalent, where a #define directive states the version.

Build scripts such as CMakeLists.txt or configure.ac, where the version number is included for package configuration.

The top of the README.md file, where the version number is often displayed prominently for users.

The manual page file cmatrix.1 or equivalent, which should display the current version in the .TH macro line.

Any additional documentation or metadata files that reference the version number.

After making these changes, conduct a thorough review to ensure consistency across the entire codebase and documentation.

Creating a Changelog Entry

A changelog is a document that contains a curated, chronologically ordered list of notable changes for each version of a project. It serves to inform users and contributors about what has changed in each version. For cmatrix, a changelog entry for the introduction of the '-t' option should include:

The new version number as the heading.

The date of the release in parentheses following the version number.

A description of the major changes introduced, focusing on the new feature.

A list of any minor changes or bug fixes included in the release.

Credits to contributors who assisted with the new feature's development.

An example changelog entry might look as follows:

[1.3.0] - 2023-04-15

Added

Changed

Fixed

Contributors

Ensure the changelog is updated in the CHANGELOG.md file or wherever the project maintains its release history.

Committing Changes and Tagging the Repository

Committing changes to the repository involves staging all modified, added, or removed files and then creating a commit with an informative message. An example commit process might be:

Stage the changes:

git add version.h CMakeLists.txt README.md cmatrix.1 ```

Commit the changes with a clear and concise message:

git commit -m "Bump version to 1.3.0 and update changelog for '-t' option feature"

Tagging the repository is the final step in preparing a release and provides a snapshot of the project at a particular point in the version history. Tags are often used to mark release points. To create a tag, use:

git tag -a v1.3.0 -m "Release 1.3.0 with Tang poetry display feature"

Once the tag is created, push the changes and tags to the remote repository to make them available to other contributors and users:

git push origin master git push origin --tags

The origin represents the name of the remote repository, and master is the branch to which the changes are pushed. Adjust the branch name and remote repository alias as appropriate for the cmatrix project.

Pre-Release Checklist

Before officially releasing the new version, it is imperative to go through a pre-release checklist to ensure no critical steps are missed. This checklist may include:

Verifying that all new code changes pass the build process without errors or warnings.

Conducting a final round of testing across different platforms and terminal configurations.

Checking that all documentation, including README, man pages, and in-program help, reflects the new version number and features accurately.

Ensuring that any third-party dependencies or libraries are up to date and compatible with the new release.

Reviewing and merging any outstanding pull requests that should be included in the release.

Confirming that the license file and any legal notices are updated and compliant with new code contributions.

Finalizing the Release

With all the necessary steps completed, and after the pre-release checklist has been thoroughly reviewed, the new version of cmatrix is ready to be released. This will often involve creating a new release on platforms such as GitHub, where the tagged version can be associated with binary files and source code archives for users to download. Additionally, communicate the release through appropriate channels such as the project's website, mailing lists, social media, or developer forums to alert the user community of the new features and improvements available in version 1.3.0.

Cyclopropinon commented 9 months ago

Cool idea! Would love to see it being implemented!