Search order for files in DAT archives.
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 3:36 pm
These are the three rules that fallout2.exe uses to search for data files.
If patch000.dat is found.
Search order:
- patch000.dat
- critter_dat and master_dat (from fallout2.cfg)
If patch000.dat does not exist but patch001.dat, patch002.dat, ... patchNNN.dat exist. (Must be at least two patch dats, and order must be consecutive).
Search order:
- patch003.dat (highest NNN found)
- patch002.dat
- patch001.dat
- critter_dat and master_dat (from fallout2.cfg)
Default searching rule (same as Fallout1).
Search order:
- critter_patches and master_patches (from fallout2.cfg)
- critter_dat and master_dat (from fallout2.cfg)
So to create a mod:
Rename patch000.dat (from fallout 1.02d patch) to patch001.dat
Create your mod and archive it as patch002.dat
This should allow us to create and distribute mods without having to include all files from patch000.dat. It will also make it easier to play fallout with more than one mod active.
Note: The directory listing in the dat file *must* be in lexicographical (sorted) order. If you create your own dat files, ensure that this holds true.
If patch000.dat is found.
Search order:
- patch000.dat
- critter_dat and master_dat (from fallout2.cfg)
If patch000.dat does not exist but patch001.dat, patch002.dat, ... patchNNN.dat exist. (Must be at least two patch dats, and order must be consecutive).
Search order:
- patch003.dat (highest NNN found)
- patch002.dat
- patch001.dat
- critter_dat and master_dat (from fallout2.cfg)
Default searching rule (same as Fallout1).
Search order:
- critter_patches and master_patches (from fallout2.cfg)
- critter_dat and master_dat (from fallout2.cfg)
So to create a mod:
Rename patch000.dat (from fallout 1.02d patch) to patch001.dat
Create your mod and archive it as patch002.dat
This should allow us to create and distribute mods without having to include all files from patch000.dat. It will also make it easier to play fallout with more than one mod active.
Note: The directory listing in the dat file *must* be in lexicographical (sorted) order. If you create your own dat files, ensure that this holds true.