User-visible Changes in PCC2
============================

  This file lists major new features and important bugfixes, intended
  for users. For technical details for developers, see the ChangeLog
  file. Recent versions also show a list of fixed PRs on the website.


2.1
        new: show auto task prediction on starchart; coupled to "ship
          trails" option (from PCC1/c2ng) [#393]
        new: prevent auto-tasks from getting lost accidentally. Auto
          tasks now remain for one turn before disappearing; thus,
          exiting the task screen while having a half-setup task no
          longer discards the task immediately
        new: export simulation setup

04/May/2025 -- 2.0.17
        new: Windows release now built with a different toolchain
          (MinGW cross compiler; minimum Windows version now probably
          Windows 7)
        improved: robustness improvements and minor bugfixes

27/Apr/2024 -- 2.0.16
        new: filter ship missions by category
        new: for level-restricted hull functions, function list shows
          turns until function becomes available
        new: auto task: build base, factories, etc.
        improved: ship prediction shows fighters built from cargo

01/Jan/2024 -- 2.0.15
        new: chart: enter zoom level manually (Z, from PCC1)
        improved: chart: in distance mode, Warp/Time now uses actual
          movement formulas to show precise predictions
        improved: chart: do no longer try to lock onto markers that
          are not visible
        improved: console command completion made smarter (from c2ng)
        improved: build queue dialog shows build queue graphically
        fix: combat using of asymmetric fighter intercept (different
          FighterKillOdds) was played wrong
        fix: simulator: Shield Generator caused ships to start with
          discharged weapons [#448]
        fix: crash in Edit Commands dialog [#449]

18/Dec/2022 -- 2.0.14
        new: chart: display minefields after decay (Alt-Y, from PCC1)
        new: chart: 'x' to switch between ship position and waypoint
          (from PCC1)
        improved: ship-task prediction considers towing
        improved: when locking at a planet, consider time. Sometimes,
          farther move will be faster [#440]
        improved: support left-align configuration for export
        improved: autobuild speeds accessible to scripts
        fix: allow wrapped map with gap

11/Apr/2022 -- 2.0.13
        new: taxation can show relative (percentage) growth
        new: when drawing circles, type <digit> W or <digit> G to
          make a circle of N^2 (or 2*N^2) ly
        improved: load fuel onto mate when setting up a chunnel
        fix: crash when primary-enemy value is out of range
        fix: crash in base task editor with pre-existing parts [#442]
        fix: tax effect prediction did not recognize multiple types
          of effects (hiss, terraforming) at the same time
        fix: FLAK simulator uses configured ESB, not host's

29/Sep/2021 -- 2.0.12
        new: auto-warp can be turned off in configuration
        new: ESC offers save-without-exit and exit-without-save
        improved: updated FLAK support: add simple 3D mode, and fix
          some bugs (including crashes)
        improved: build queue manager shows planned builds, summary
        improved: new interpreter functions (Pref(), AddPref)
        fix: simulator now correctly implements Aggressor/Opponent
          distinction for PHost, also shows roles of a ship in VCR

16/Mar/2021 -- 2.0.11
        new: sell torpedoes/fighters [#420]
        improved: hyperdrive uses engine's default speed, not warp 2,
          for better tow resistance [#419]
        improved: simulator: small details to avoid inconsistencies
          (e.g. prevent setting Cloak+Kill at the same time)
        improved: more reliably delete minefields that are gone
        fix: PCC2 was not showing some ships you scanned when it
          thought they were destroyed

01/Dec/2020 -- 2.0.10
        new: will receive files attached to RST/UTIL.DAT
        new: ship abilities (hullfuncs) now shown as icons

18/Apr/2020 -- 2.0.9
        new: build queue manager (Q on base screen)
        improved: planet scan (F5) reworked
        improved: nav chart now allows setting up allied chunnels

23/Nov/2019 -- 2.0.8
        new: F7 in selection manager shows selected objects
        new: F6 has a "ships exactly at" filter, useful for planets
        new: what-if function in taxation (W). Shows how happiness
          and growth changed if you had terraformers/hissers.
        improved: information display (hull function damage levels,
          resources for waiting build orders)
        improved: prediction (mainly THost pythagoras bug, mine decay)
          (old PCC1 features)
        improved: new interpreter functions (ByName(), UCase(), LCase())
        improved: interpreter PCC1 compatiblity, error handling

17/Jun/2019 -- 2.0.7
        new: simulator: sort/filter hull list (an old PCC1 feature)
        new: simulator: edit alliances/enemies (an old CCBSIM feature)
        new: feed ship history from VCRs (an old PCC1 feature)
        new: view util.dat (Alt-U) (an old PCC1 feature)

23/Feb/2019 -- 2.0.6
        new: add ability to simulate Red Wind Cloaked Fighter Bays,
          Saber Shield Generator [#239, #243, #254, #260]
        bugfix: Listbox().Run did not work [#389]

19/Aug/2018 -- 2.0.5
        new: plugins can now provide help pages and extend/replace
          existing help pages
        bugfix: plugin installation failed on virgin system [#299]
        bugfix: self-tow could lead to crash [#374]
        bugfix: ship/planet sims did not use experience [#373]
        bugfix: foreign ship names were not shown [#378]

01/May/2018 -- 2.0.4
        new: explain ship predictions (Q). Shows what missions and orders
          were considered in computing the fuel usage.
        new: save/load export settings. c2export option '-c' to use a saved
          settings file
        new: interpreter: DirectoryEntry() function
        improved: many prediction and display issues. Borg assimilation was
          totally off, tax population growth now honors terraform and hiss.
        improved: combat: simulator shows weapon specs, combat details
          window offers ship spec sheet (S)
        bugfix: undo-supply-sale could allow you to buy too much [#362]
        bugfix: intercept chain could lead to crash [#371]

25/Nov/2017 -- 2.0.3
        new: show a planet's/ship's messages (Shift-M), show message
          flags on starchart (Alt-N)
        bugfix: a handful

15/Jan/2017 -- 2.0.2
        new: interpreter 'Call' command
        new: wildcard expansion for Windows version to make c2mgrep
          actually useful
        improved: planetary taxation prediction honors Hissss
        improved: planetary defense prediction honors experience
        improved: some minor display improvements
        bugfix: many interpreter-related ones, including possible crashes

02/Jul/2016 -- 2.0.1
        new: MapTruehullByPlayerRace and SRace support
        improved: ship predictions now on a par with PCC 1.x
        bugfix: multiple crashes

05/Mar/2016 -- 2.0
        improved: give advice when cloning unclonable ships
        bugfix: multiple crashes

20/Jul/2015 -- 1.99.26
        new: full support for Remote Control
        new: ship prediction (Ctrl-N) and cargo summary on visual scan (Ctrl-C)
        new: ability to unpack turn files
        new: ion storm forecast
        new: export detailed bill/cargo summary/fleet cost summary
        new: marker tags
        new: show ranges on starchart (Ctrl-R)
        new: search/go to chunnel mate (Alt-M, Ctrl-M)
        improved: object selection dialogs and control screens
        improved: "[X]" window icon now closes PCC2 from most places
        improved: simulator
        bugfix: protect against more invalid data from host

02/May/2015 -- 1.99.25
        new: plugins. Press F5 on the PCC2 or PlayVCR game selection to open
          the plugin manager. Windows users can double-click a plugin to
          install it.
        improved: precise host version detection, so version dependencies
          are now handled correctly
        improved: messages
          reply to anonymous now works
          decode headers of message-to-self-and-others
        improved: notifications
          use word-wrap (d'ooh!)
          show and confirm notifications from Auto Task editors
          "go to" takes you to Auto Task screen if appropriate
        improved: interpreter: more and better hooks, commands, and properties
        improved: help file
        bugfix: PHost "alliance" commands were wrong

01/Mar/2015 -- 1.99.24
        new: Game Settings (RST password, message language, etc.)
        bugfix: "reset location" would mess up clans/torps on planets

12/Jan/2015 -- 1.99.23
        new: alliance editor
        new: reset location (Alt-R) on all control screens
        new: search opens minefield/ion/ufo info (not starchart)
        new: mini-map in minefield/ion/ufo info
        new: can now go from the VCR details view to actual unit
        new: implement thousands-separator, show-clans options
        improved simulator:
          watch sample battle for minimum/maximum damage for a unit, etc.
          NuHost ability "squadron"
          abilities configurable for planets
          ship costs can include ship tech

16/Feb/2014 -- 1.99.22
        improved simulator: NuHost abilities "double beam/torp recharge",
          "triple beam kill", "elusive" can now be simulated
        improved interpreter:
          added optimisation
          added some commands
          added local subroutines, types

21/Sep/2013 -- 1.99.21
        improved interpreter:
          added script interpreter manual
          added Rich-Text functions
          added some more PCC 1.x features
        improved message reader, imperial stat
        bugfix: character-set confusion in pcc2.ini, lru.ini
        bugfix: crash when canceling a build order that conflicts with a clone

24/Mar/2013 -- 1.99.20
        improved internal storage of game data. This allows new use cases,
          including new history features:
          - PCC2 now knows that if you're getting a v3.5 RST and don't
            scan your minefield, it's gone
          - if a ship changes its hull type, PCC2 forgets its other
            properties as the ship was obviously destroyed and a new one
            built
        improved object list formatting to include ship type and comment,
          like PCC 1.x
        improved display details on control screens:
          added mission warning (yellow if PCC2 thinks it'll fail)
          added build queue position display on starbases
          fuel usage goes red if ship has no fuel and no-fuel-move is off
        added filter to avoid mouse jumps when switching into starchart
          under Windows
        added predefined expressions for Label configuration (Alt-L)
        added storage of last search/label expressions
        improved behaviour of search and selection to be more like PCC 1.x
        bugfix: correct order of Fed +25% bonus in simulation for PHost/Nu
        bugfix: PCC2 allowed lowering tech after building tech 10 torps or
          beams, causing a red status on the TRN
        bugfix: the interpreter's First and Rest functions accidentally
          had their parameters swapped compared to PCC 1.x
        bugfix: PCC2 crashed when a fleet leader was captured

19/Dec/2012 -- 1.99.19a
        fixed PHost 4 combat support

17/Dec/2012 -- 1.99.19
        added configuration dialog (Alt-P on race screen) and a handful
          of new options
        added starchart configuration dialog (Alt-O on starchart)
        added circular wrap support
        added canned markers (Ctrl-M or '1 m' to '9 m' to place one in
          the starchart or a scanner, configure using config dialog)
        added support for per-game pcc2.ini
        added turn/result/starchart file backup function
        added "Struct nnn" command to interpreter
        added property list to console (Alt-V)
        added option '-F' for c2export
        improved file requester: show links to Desktop and My Files
          in Windows
        improved VCR internals, especially for FLAK. PCC2 loads FLAK
          combat normally, plays it within the client, and allows
          "add to simulation" like for normal combat. Also, the NuHost
          simulator now knows that Lizard planets only take 100% damage.

09/Jun/2012 -- 1.99.18 (eighteenth beta release)
        added ExploreMap support
        added predefined/LRU list for search function
        added combat score/build point display: 's' on combat diagram,
          and on individual VCRs
        improved interpreter: report errors caused by a hook run in
          the background
        improved input handling: keypad friendliness, some more keys
          available for binding

21/Jan/2012 -- 1.99.17 (seventeenth beta release)
        added fleet support (F10)
        added multi-unit cargo transfer ('d' on ship screen)
        added clone support (on ship's 'b' menu)
        added export feature:
          added Export global action
          added new command line utility: c2export
        added tab completion on console
        improved starchart widget: Alt-M, Alt-I, Alt-U, etc. now work on all
          starcharts that have keyboard focus (use 'y' to focus on the
          scanner and reconfigure its settings)
        improved interpreter:
          added 'Lock' function
          improved file error handling
          improved serialisation (suspend-to-disk)
        improved c2mgrep: '-z' to look in ZIP files
        bugfix: potential crash in message parser
        bugfix: crash on cargo history [Roman Perelshtein]
        bugfix: allow fixing allied ships [Roman Perelshtein]

25/Nov/2011 -- 1.99.16 (sixteenth beta release)
        added auto task support (RET on ship/planet/base)
          added notification messages (Alt-N on player screen)
          added persistent storage of multi-turn scripts (scriptX.cc)
        added process manager (Alt-Q)
        added VCR information display ('l', 'r' on VCR selector)
        added mark range feature ('r' on starchart)
        added ship cost calculator ('s' on starbase screen)
        improved nav chart: chunnel support, recenter, more warp circles
        improved planet scan: ground combat prediction, "won't die" rule
        improved Tim-VCR: 10% faster, NuHost support
        improved combat diagram: tooltips, two color schemes
        improved ammo building: display weapon specs, build from ship
          screen ('b')
        improved several widgets (mining, mine sweep, ...)
        improved interpreter: 2-3x faster for many routines
        bugfix: AltGr characters should now work under Windows

18/Sep/2011 -- 1.99.15 (fifteenth beta release)
        added help system ('h' or Alt-H almost everywhere)
        added global actions ('g' on player screen)
        added ship history screen (f6)
        updated PHost configuration support
          added support for upcoming BaseTechCost option
        improved interpreter:
          added access to VCRs ('Vcr(...)')
          added hash/dictionary datatype ('a := NewHash()')
        improved installer: we now detect (sort-of) Winplan32, which has
          the VCR integration built in, so we no longer need our whacky
          integration program.
        bugfix: movement prediction for PHost occasionally moved ships
          too far [Alexander Weigand]

18/Jun/2011 -- 1.99.14 (fourteenth beta release)
        added Detailed Bill function ('d') to ship build screen
        added Beam up Multiple support to cargo transfer
        added Combat Diagram (Tab on VCR selection)
        added population prediction (PHost-only) for taxation
        added Imperial Statistics
        improved simulator:
          added Fleet Cost Comparison (Ctrl-C)
          added context menu with sort functions
          added ability to simulate planets with experience
        improved starchart: prefix arg support
        improved c2mgrep: added missing file types
        bugfix: PCC2 was confusing web and normal minefields when minefield
          Ids were re-used

22/Apr/2011 -- 1.99.13 (thirteenth beta release)
        added ion storm information window
        added selection load/save
        added message parser. In addition to parsing regular reports, it
          can now also parse and later plot scores reported by messages,
          such as "PTScore Used", or "Tons Sunk".
        added registration display on game selector
        added new command line utility: c2mgrep to search for messages
        added PCC2 server module (separate project)
        improved font display: PCC2 now has regular and bold fonts
        improved message reader: added "go to object" ('g', 'x') and
          "write to file" ('w') functions
        improved file selection dialog
        improved warp speed dialog ('y' for hyperdrive)
        improved script interpreter:
          added varargs functions ("Function foo(a, b, c, stuff())")
          added access to incoming messages
        bugfix: many display errors

20/Feb/2011 -- 1.99.12 (twelfth beta release)
        added Unicode support. PCC2 now uses UTF-8 internally, and supports
          platform-specific locale conventions. That is, it will now
          support Russian/German/etc. file names on any properly configured
          computer, no matter what character set the game is actually
          using. Fonts now have Unicode encoding and support Latin and
          Cyrillic characters. Remember to invoke pcc-v2 with the correct
          "-charset" parameter for your game to see subspace messages
          correctly.
        added c2reshack program for developers. This is an all-new-and-
          improved version of the piced program, which got never completed.
        improved script interpreter:
          added file I/O.
          added arrays (this is a new feature which PCC 1.x does not have).
        bugfix: GUI maketurn didn't generate registered turns [FireAge].

24/Oct/2010 -- 1.99.11 (eleventh beta release)
        added graphical Maketurn, Unpack, and Sweep
        added command-line Maketurn utility (c2mkturn)
        improved game selection a lot
        improved resource handling
          errors are no longer fatal
          instead of a folder containing a bunch of vplX.bmp's, you can
            now also use a folder containing a bunch of vplX.jpg's
        bugfix: FLAK simulator was offered in PCC2, but didn't work
        bugfix: PHost wrapped-map support was broken since probably beta9
        bugfix: if you don't have a fizz.bin file, PCC2 now allows you to
          play unregistered, and does no longer crash after your turn
        Windows: updated to SDL-1.2.14, SDL_image-1.2.10. In particular,
          this fixes the crash upon Winplan's vpl19.bmp.

08/Aug/2010 -- 1.99.10 (tenth beta release)
        added information display on the starchart
        added waypoint change to starchart's distance mode
        added sticky mouse feature (pcc2.ini 'Chart.MouseStickiness')
        added multi-selection support (e.g. Alt-. for selection manager)
        added optimizer to script compiler
        improved script support. Most keybindings are now scripted and
          are therefore usable from the starchart and modifiable.

01/Jun/2010 -- 1.99.9 (nineth beta release)
        added script interpreter
          added user keymaps that contain various keys, those are active
            on control screens and in the starchart
          added keymap debugger
        bugfix: ships having any ship-specific ability (hullfunc) were
          treated as if they had all possible abilities by accident

14/Mar/2010 -- 1.99.8 (eighth beta release)
        added expression evaluation:
          added search function (F7, c-h)
          added object labels (Alt-L on starchart)
          added proper mission conditions and labels
          added console (Alt-C)
        Windows: changed preferred compiler to MinGW

01/Jan/2010 -- 1.99.7 (seventh beta release)
        added ship scanner list view ('l' on ship scanner). The list can be
          sorted using the right mouse button or '#'/'\' (like in PCC 1.x).
        added ship specification view ('s' on ship/ship build screen)
        added "give ship"/"give planet" interface ('g' on control screen)
        added remote control interface ('r' on ship screen/visual scanner)
        added auxiliary command editor (m-e in player screen)

15/Nov/2009 -- 1.99.6 (sixth beta release)
        added tooltips in score display and control screen starcharts
        added team configuration support: team members' units are displayed
          in yellow, not red, and default to be friendly in simulator.
          Scores can display sums by team.
        improved ship building: added 'u' key, ship order no longer blocks
          minerals for part building
        improved font and map display quality
        improved wrapped map support
        improved PVCR simulation speed

04/Jul/2009 -- 1.99.5 (fifth beta release)
        general: 'L', m-r in scanner starchart
        ship commands: c-f, c-z
        planet commands: auto tax
        starchart: ship trails
        added mine lay/scoop prediction on ship screen
        added file dump utility (c2dump)

30/May/2009 -- 1.99.4 (fourth beta release)
        ship commands: 'b'
        general: f9/s-f9/c-f9, ins, 'y'
        starchart: 'm', 'u', 'l', 'd' (information)
        starchart: 'c', 'v', 'p', del, m-f9 (drawing)
        starchart: animated movement
        simulator: 'r', '*', 'F', c-up/down, "randomize fcodes" option
        improved structure building: now looks and feels just as in PCC 1.x
        added command-line unpacker (c2unpack)
        added game-directory cleanup tool (c2sweep)
        added full support for chartX.cc; all data types are now preserved
          and/or displayed. In particular, ship and planet properties are
          maintained, making the comment function work.
        redone screen update; now much cleaner than before
        bugfix: building capital ships may have caused red/yellow alerts

16/Dec/2008 -- third beta release
        new Windows installer
        planet commands: c-s, autobuild
        improved cargo transfer: unload, supply sale, overload
        improved ship building: pictures, more controls
        added prefix argument handling
        added full hull function support (PHost 4.1)
        added screen history (Backspace, Alt-Backspace)
        added visual scan ('l')
        added basic chartX.cc support: drawings, planet history
        added cmdX.txt support
        added fizz.bin support; PCC2's game directories should now
          be accepted by Tim's tools
        added util.dat support
        added score display (stat.cc/score.cc)
        completely redone config handling

02/Dec/2006 -- second beta release
        added battle simulator
        added FLAK
        added new resource manager, including object caching
        added many smaller commands
        fixed many crashes
        many internal changes

16/Jan/2004 -- first "complete" beta release
        fix: shiplist.txt was not read
        game selector in client
        player screen commands: message reader 'm' and editor 'w'
        ship commands: 'm', 'w', c-j, c-s, c-p
        planet commands: f8, 'b', 'd', 'm', 't'
        base commands: 'a', 'b'
        general: f5/s-f5/c-f5
        User Interface: added "skinning" back-end. It is now way more
          flexible. In theory, you'll be able to display every control
          on a control screen someday.
        User Interface: most control screen tiles correctly adapt to
          translated texts and changing fonts. No more labels running
          into values, no more dirt on the screen! (well, almost.)
        Memory handling changed to a more efficient scheme.
        new build system which allows modularity

03/Mar/2003
        planet commands: 'f', 'u'
        base commands: 'x', 'c', 'u', f8, 'm', 'r', c-r, 't'
        ship commands: 'u', c-i, c-t
        PHost 4 support: pconfig, hullfunc, shiplist.txt
        PHost 4 combat support: experience, death rays

02/Dec/2002
        added sound. Sounds best with PHost. A Multitraf salvo, a
          Wachowski movie -- where's the difference? :-)
        saving outgoing messages
        double-click :)
        improved resource management

20/Oct/2002
        several fixes to PlayVCR (including that ugly timer problem)

07/Oct/2002
        character set translation (-charset)
        PlayVCR accepts battle number again
        PlayVCR supports "close-me" button ("X" in window frame)
        wheel-mouse support
        more commands in pcc-v2

15/Sep/2002
        PlayVCR has a game selector (-dir option)
        saving game data (game directories of TRN files)

01/Sep/2002
        PlayVCR accepts battle number on command line
        added '-r' option (rewrite turn) to un-trn
        many fixes to VCR
        loads TRN files
        control screens have scanners

09/Jun/2002
        basic national-language support
        control screen basics
        supports external resources (cc.res, Winplan BMP / WPVCR.DLL)
        loads message files
        VCR supports any bit depth
        VCR shows distance, fighter count, result

13/Feb/2002
        first release featuring a rudimentary VCR, un-trn, and something
          called `pcc-v2' which does nothing interesting :)
