I'm making a game server browser that, when loaded, runs through an array of IP's and sends a query to each of them - each of these IP's returns some data. When I receive this data, I want to parse it and store it in to the array

I'm making a game server browser that holds all the game data in an array which is a custom data structure. The array holds information like IP, number of players, name of server etc.

When the program loads, I want it to loop through the servers array and query all the IP's in there (the IP's are pre-set). The game servers will send back some data, which I want to parse and stick back in to the right array value corresponding to the IP (ie information like game server name, number of players etc).

What would be the best way to do this? At the moment, when the form loads I've got it looping through the array and sending off the query string, but when it returns, how do I find the right array etc? Would I be best off to just make a function that searches the array for the IP that has been returned, find the matching array value and enter the data in there using that? Or is there a better method?

Another problem I have is that the Winsock control will not only be used for handling the return of query data from servers - it may also handle other data such as login information. How would I go about telling the Winsock control what sort of data it should be expecting? What I mean is, if I'm logging in, when data is returned, I want it to validate the user, but if I'm getting server query data back, I want it to parse it or something.
thanks,kvarnerexpress

 

 

 

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What protocol are you using? TCP or UDP?

If you are using UDP protocol, it will make things easier for you, but UDP is a connectionless protocol, meaning, there is no permanent connection made between clien and a server.

If you are using TCP protocol, that will be a bit more difficult. You will need an array of Winsock controls, that will be used for each connection with the client.
FOr example, use one Winsock control to listen for incoming connections, and an array of Winsock controls to accept incoming data for each client.

It would look something like this:


This is just an example, there is a lot of example code on Planet Source Code (PSC)

As for recognition of incoming data, you will need to design your own protocol, and make a parser for that. Maybe something like this:

For login data:


For client incoming data


This is ofcourse just an idea, off head... If I come up with something better, I'll post it here. Hope I helped.

 

 

 

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