Actions

3.0 Aliases: Difference between revisions

From Iron Realms Nexus Client Documentation

Line 58: Line 58:
[[Image:3.0-reflex-tab-alias-arl.png]]
[[Image:3.0-reflex-tab-alias-arl.png]]


== Matching Options Explained ==
== Understanding Matching Options ==


Matching is used for creating the command for the alias you are creating. There are five settings.
The "Matching" section helps you set up the command for the alias you're creating. It offers five different settings.


[[File:alias-matching.png]]
[[image:3.0-alias-matching.png]]


=== Alias Text ===
=== Alias Text ===


This field is required and contains the alias text. Anything can be used to create your alias. Typically they are very short and easy to remember. for example I may use the text 'sh' and later create an action that will do 'say hello world!'.
This mandatory field is where you input the alias text. You can use anything to create your alias, but it's usually best to keep it short and memorable. For instance, you might use 'sh' and later assign it an action like 'say hello world!'.


This works hand in hand with the 'Matching Type' option. See below.
The Alias Text field interacts closely with the 'Matching Type' option, explained further below.


=== Whole Words Only ===  
=== Whole Words Only ===


If checked, the alias will only match whole words.  
When this checkbox is ticked, the alias will only recognize whole words.


For example, my alias text is 'sh'
Consider an alias text like 'sh':


In this case, if I type in 'sha' it will NOT match. However, 'sh a' WILL work.
If you type 'sha', it will NOT be recognized as your alias. However, if you type 'sh a', it will be recognized.


If I uncheck 'Whole words only', then 'sha' will work.  
If you uncheck the 'Whole words only' box, then 'sha' would be recognized as the alias.


In almost all cases you will just want to keep 'Whole words only' checked. Remember that whole words are separated by spaces and punctuation is considered part of a word.
In most cases, it's best to keep 'Whole words only' checked. Note that words are considered whole if they are separated by spaces, and any punctuation is considered part of the word.


=== Match Case ===  
=== Match Case ===


If checked, capitalization must match.  
With this checkbox ticked, the alias will be case sensitive.


For example, if checked, 'sh' is not the same as 'SH'.  
For instance, if this option is enabled, 'sh' would not be seen as the same as 'SH'.


=== Alias Name ===
=== Alias Name ===


(Optional) The name of the alias. The name is an identifier that will show up in your list of reflexes. It is not required for your alias and has nothing to do with the actual operation of the alias.
(Optional) This is simply a label for your alias. It helps identify the alias in your list of reflexes. It isn't necessary for the operation of the alias and doesn't impact its functionality.


=== Matching Type ===
=== Matching Type ===


There are three options for matching text.
This option defines how your alias text will be recognized. There are three possibilities:


* Begins with: Will only match a command that starts with your alias text in it.
*Begins with: The system will only recognize a command that starts with your alias text.
* Exact match: Will only match an alias that exactly matches your alias text.
*Exact match: The system will only recognize an input that is identical to your alias text.
* Regular expression: This will match any 'regular expression' patterns. This is somewhat advanced, but good to learn. See the examples below.
*Regular expression: This advanced option allows the system to match regular expression patterns.


In most cases you will want to use 'Begins with'.
 
Typically, the 'Begins with' option is the most useful for most situations.


== Action Options Explained ==
== Action Options Explained ==

Revision as of 05:18, 21 June 2023

Aliases are simply convenient shortcuts you can make for more complex in-game actions. They are often used during in-game combat to perform actions more quickly. Aliases can also be combined with certain changeable elements (known as variables) to make even more versatile shortcuts.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of aliases:

  • Typing "dh" instead of the longer "DRINK HEALTH" command.
  • Using "t jeremy" to designate Jeremy as your in-game target.
  • Creating a safeguard for a command you might accidentally activate, such as "GIVE" or "QUIT".
  • Setting up a shortcut like "cg" to perform the longer command of "consecrate ground with holysymbol".

How to Create a New Alias

Aliases are categorized as a type of reflex. This means they are quick actions performed with ease. To create and manage aliases, you'll need to go to the "Reflexes" settings option, which is located in the settings window.

Here’s how you can access this tab:

  • Look for a gear icon on the main game screen, situated in the lower right corner.
  • Click on this gear icon to open the settings window.
  • Within the settings window, find and click on the "Reflexes" button.
  • Here, you will be able to create new aliases and manage existing ones for more efficient gameplay.

Step 1. Open the settings page and click the 'Reflexes' tab.

Creating a new alias is simple. Begin by accessing the settings window. You can do this by clicking on the gear icon, typically located in the lower right corner of your game screen. When you click on this icon, you will be presented with the settings window.

Select the "Reflexes" button and a new window will appear in your browser, where you'll be able to manage and create aliases as well as many other settings.

Step 2. Click the 'Add New' Button and select 'Add an Alias'.

Within the settings window, you will see options to create different types of reflexes. For our purpose, we want to create an alias.

Here are the steps to create an alias:

  1. Look for the "Add New" button, which is usually located in the left section of the window.
  2. Click on this "Add New" button.
  3. A menu will appear. From this menu, select "Add an Alias".


By doing this, you have created a new alias, but it doesn't have any instructions yet – it's undefined. Next, you'll need to define what this alias should do.

Step 3. Aliases Options.

In the alias creation area, you will find three main sections for setting up your aliases. They are not clearly labeled, but can be identified as "Enabled", "Matching", and "Actions".

  1. Enabled: This section has a checkbox that you can toggle on or off. When this checkbox is ticked, it means that the alias is turned on and ready to be used. If it's not ticked, the alias is turned off and the system won't use it.
  2. Matching: Here, you will assign a command to your alias, which is typically a shorter version of a longer command. For example, you could use 'arl' as an alias for 'apply restoration to legs'. This short command is what you will type into the game to trigger the alias.
  3. Actions: This section defines the outcome that takes place when the alias command is entered into the game. For instance, if you have set 'arl' as your alias for 'apply restoration to legs', typing 'arl' into the game will execute the full command 'apply restoration to legs'.


These three sections work together to create a streamlined experience by allowing you to use shorter commands for actions you perform frequently in the game.

Understanding Matching Options

The "Matching" section helps you set up the command for the alias you're creating. It offers five different settings.

Alias Text

This mandatory field is where you input the alias text. You can use anything to create your alias, but it's usually best to keep it short and memorable. For instance, you might use 'sh' and later assign it an action like 'say hello world!'.

The Alias Text field interacts closely with the 'Matching Type' option, explained further below.

Whole Words Only

When this checkbox is ticked, the alias will only recognize whole words.

Consider an alias text like 'sh':

If you type 'sha', it will NOT be recognized as your alias. However, if you type 'sh a', it will be recognized.

If you uncheck the 'Whole words only' box, then 'sha' would be recognized as the alias.

In most cases, it's best to keep 'Whole words only' checked. Note that words are considered whole if they are separated by spaces, and any punctuation is considered part of the word.

Match Case

With this checkbox ticked, the alias will be case sensitive.

For instance, if this option is enabled, 'sh' would not be seen as the same as 'SH'.

Alias Name

(Optional) This is simply a label for your alias. It helps identify the alias in your list of reflexes. It isn't necessary for the operation of the alias and doesn't impact its functionality.

Matching Type

This option defines how your alias text will be recognized. There are three possibilities:

  • Begins with: The system will only recognize a command that starts with your alias text.
  • Exact match: The system will only recognize an input that is identical to your alias text.
  • Regular expression: This advanced option allows the system to match regular expression patterns.


Typically, the 'Begins with' option is the most useful for most situations.

Action Options Explained

Once you have decided on the text for your alias, you can initiate a single action, or a series of multiple actions. Actions will fire in the order they are listed.

Above is a simple example of three separate actions that will happen when an alias is entered into the game.

Simplified Scripting

The Nexus client allows for twelve different simplified scripting actions for use in aliases. In most cases instantly returning a command is the best option. However, the Nexus client will allow you to loop through commands, use if statements, wait commands, highlight text, and much more.

All of these options, with full explanations and examples can be found here: simplified scripting.

Below is an example of a simple alias which opens a door for you if one is in your way, while trying to move south.

The first action chosen is the basic "send a command", which sends the text "south" to the game. This is just like typing south into the command line. Next, we have the "wait for" action, which creates a temporary trigger, waiting for the words "There is a door in the way.". If we get that message, then we send the next action which is, again, "send a command". In this case we send two commands, one to open the door, and another to move south.


Another slightly more advanced option, would be if you wanted to override the basic SAY command to rotate between speech patterns.

To explain this alias step by step. In the first "talk" alias, we set a local var called "talk_counter" which increments by 1 every time we talk. Based on the value of that var, we choose a different version of talking to send to the client. (Sloshing around), or (Waving his hands) for example. The labels tell the If blocks, where to go based on the value of "talk_counter". When we reach the final If result, instead of going to a label, the script simple continues to the next line. At this point, we set the value of talk_counter back to 0, so we can start the loop all over again. Also note, the use to the "Stop" command, to prevent the script from continuing after reaching the end of a specific label.

As you might have surmised, this creates a problem if you try to "SAY TO" somebody. To fix this, we create a second alias which handles the "SAY TO" input.

In this second alias, we set two local variables, and change the alias to "sayto", so that we can capture the specific case of talking to a person instead of talking in general.

Advanced Scripting

There are two main advanced scripting options. You can Call function or you can Execute script. Both options allow for the use of javascript. You can learn more and functions here and more about javascript here.

Expansions

Aliases support expansions, which allow you to add on-the-spot modifications to the command you send to the game.

For example, let's say you want to make an alias that picks up an item and puts it into your pack, called pp. To do this, you can simply make an alias with pp as the alias text, and two actions (use Add Action to add the second one), get @suffix and put @suffix in pack. The 'suffix' in this case is anything that comes after the alias in your command.

For both actions, disable the include prefix and suffix option, and you are done. See Put Pack Alias.

The available expansions are:

  • @match - the matched text
  • @suffix - anything coming after the matched text
  • @prefix - anything coming in front of the matched text; this only makes sense for regular expressions

Tip: You can use @line to send the original command along with the aliased commands - this is useful if you want to perform additional actions when sending a particular command, instead of replacing it.

Here is more information about expansions.

Examples

Learn how to create more aliases on the examples page.