Programming Forums > Application Development > C++

Maxmackey · Apr 2nd, 2008, 12:07 AM

Hello, new to the forums and my apologies if this is the wrong place for this

I want to know if this is possible, if a program already exists, or how hard it would be to make such a program, if I need to pay someone to make it.

I am running a full screen game similar to World of Warcraft, if anyone has played it.
I am trying to find a program, that will detect text that is sent to me/displayed on my screen in the game. I would then like the program to make a loud obnoxious noise, once that string of text is detected.

I.E:
"Selected 'X' target"
Program then emits a loud noise.

Jessehk · Apr 2nd, 2008, 1:03 AM

Well, this could be way off base since I've never played WoW. I do know that WoW can be controlled through a scripting language called Lua.

This might be useful, but I really don't know. http://www.wowwiki.com/Lua

Jimbo · Apr 2nd, 2008, 1:17 AM

Your program could take a screenshot and then try to OCR some meaning out of it. Probably too much work for an unreliable solution though

Maxmackey · Apr 2nd, 2008, 2:29 AM

Not QUITE what I was looking for but the LUA link did give me some info.

Ive been tooling around with the games files, and have discovered that everything I type is stored in an in game log.

So, theoretically, I suppose the easiest way to make a program like this would be to have a program that opens up the text file, searches for the text, and if it exists to then make the noise.

Anyone know if this is possible?

Heres some example of the text:
[04/01/08 23:27:07] Lothir -> WreckLoose : Quick Major Health V of Purifying [ Casting... ]
[04/01/08 23:27:07] Indestructible Fyakki -> WreckLoose [ Missed ]
[04/01/08 23:27:07] WreckLoose -> Indestructible Fyakki : Cloak of Thorns IV [ 137 pierce ]

So lets say if the program detected:
Indestructible Fyakki -> WreckLoose [ Missed ]
I would want it to make a sound.

Jabo · Apr 2nd, 2008, 7:17 AM

Sounds like you're wanting to make a gamebot, which is most likely against the game TOS

peaceofpi · Apr 2nd, 2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxmackey

So, theoretically, I suppose the easiest way to make a program like this would be to have a program that opens up the text file, searches for the text, and if it exists to then make the noise.

Anyone know if this is possible?

http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/files.html

Maxmackey · Apr 2nd, 2008, 1:20 PM

I am NOT making a game bot.

The program will be used to notify me when someone is sending me a group message.

If you want details:
Someone in my group will be saying "Selected Valkor the Impaler" I then wish to have the program notify me, either if im asleep or just alt+tabbed, so I can then start the game and join them.

PhilBon · Apr 2nd, 2008, 7:39 PM

I would make sure that you make a copy of the file before opening it and reading it. There are some programs that if they try to reopen an open file it will fail. Make sure you sure some kind of error handling.

Watchman · May 3rd, 2008, 5:49 PM

You have been reported - again. Have a nice day.

Apr 2nd, 2008, 12:07 AM	#1
Maxmackey Unverified User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Detect a string of text in a running program. Hello, new to the forums and my apologies if this is the wrong place for this I want to know if this is possible, if a program already exists, or how hard it would be to make such a program, if I need to pay someone to make it. I am running a full screen game similar to World of Warcraft, if anyone has played it. I am trying to find a program, that will detect text that is sent to me/displayed on my screen in the game. I would then like the program to make a loud obnoxious noise, once that string of text is detected. I.E: "Selected 'X' target" Program then emits a loud noise.

Apr 2nd, 2008, 1:03 AM	#2
Jessehk The Oblivious One Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 648 Rep Power: 4	Re: Detect a string of text in a running program. Well, this could be way off base since I've never played WoW. I do know that WoW can be controlled through a scripting language called Lua. This might be useful, but I really don't know. http://www.wowwiki.com/Lua __________________ Dr. Zoidberg: [ecstatic] I'm going to a movie... with FRIENDS!

Apr 2nd, 2008, 1:17 AM	#3
Jimbo Battle Programmer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bellevue, WA, USA Posts: 770 Rep Power: 3	Re: Detect a string of text in a running program. Your program could take a screenshot and then try to OCR some meaning out of it. Probably too much work for an unreliable solution though __________________ <insert disclaimer here> <insert shameless plug for Visual Studio here>

Apr 2nd, 2008, 2:29 AM	#4
Maxmackey Unverified User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Re: Detect a string of text in a running program. Not QUITE what I was looking for but the LUA link did give me some info. Ive been tooling around with the games files, and have discovered that everything I type is stored in an in game log. So, theoretically, I suppose the easiest way to make a program like this would be to have a program that opens up the text file, searches for the text, and if it exists to then make the noise. Anyone know if this is possible? Heres some example of the text: [04/01/08 23:27:07] Lothir -> WreckLoose : Quick Major Health V of Purifying [ Casting... ] [04/01/08 23:27:07] Indestructible Fyakki -> WreckLoose [ Missed ] [04/01/08 23:27:07] WreckLoose -> Indestructible Fyakki : Cloak of Thorns IV [ 137 pierce ] So lets say if the program detected: Indestructible Fyakki -> WreckLoose [ Missed ] I would want it to make a sound. Last edited by Maxmackey; Apr 2nd, 2008 at 2:52 AM.

Apr 2nd, 2008, 7:17 AM	#5
Jabo Not a user? Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 308 Rep Power: 2	Re: Detect a string of text in a running program. Sounds like you're wanting to make a gamebot, which is most likely against the game TOS

Apr 2nd, 2008, 1:20 PM	#7
Maxmackey Unverified User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Re: Detect a string of text in a running program. I am NOT making a game bot. The program will be used to notify me when someone is sending me a group message. If you want details: Someone in my group will be saying "Selected Valkor the Impaler" I then wish to have the program notify me, either if im asleep or just alt+tabbed, so I can then start the game and join them.

Apr 2nd, 2008, 7:39 PM	#8
PhilBon Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 172 Rep Power: 4	Re: Detect a string of text in a running program. I would make sure that you make a copy of the file before opening it and reading it. There are some programs that if they try to reopen an open file it will fail. Make sure you sure some kind of error handling.

May 3rd, 2008, 5:49 PM	#9
Watchman Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Re: Detect a string of text in a running program. You have been reported - again. Have a nice day.

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Programming Forums > Application Development > C++

Detect a string of text in a running program.