GDW recently defined a standard data format for storing world UPPs
for Traveller sectors. Their hope is make it easier for people to
share sector data between various Traveller software packages.
Marc Miller presented this standard in a recent issue of Challenge,
along with a Sector Generator written in Applesoft Basic for Apple II
computers. He describes a format for storing world data for a
Traveller sector as sequential file of text.
The format takes into account hex location, UPP, trade classifications,
system bases, Interstellar Allegiance, Trade Zone, and existence of
gas giants. Most notably missing are planetary names. This is
probably to keep the size of files small enough for easy manipulation
with really memory-poor personal computers (64 Kbytes).
I have not included the list of standard codes to be used in the world
descriptions. Most of it is real straight forward, simple, UPP stuff.
The only other things were codes for bases, trade notations, and
allegiances. If anyone wants to see a complete list, drop me a note,
and I can real-mail you a photocopy.
As a note, GDW has already made three of their sectors available in
this format (Spinward Marches, Solomani Rim, and Gvurrdon).
I would be interested in hearing what people think of this idea of a
standard exchange format for Sector information.
-Mike
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An excerpt from the article 'Electronically Exploring the Traveller
Universe' by Marc W. Miller, published in Challenge No. 26.
Copyright 1986, by Game Designers' Workshop.
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The Standard UPP Format for worlds saves basic data generated
in accordance with world generation rules in Traveller.
All Data for a sector is contained in one file (if disk space or
available memory precludes it all being in one file, two or more may
be necessary). Each record in the file is one world UPP.
Each record is divided into six fields:
Hex Location: Bytes 1-4. The hexagon location of the world within a
sector map. Values range from 0101 to 3240.
UPP: Bytes 6-14. The actual generated UPP. Byte 6 is starport type;
byte 7 is world size; byte 13 is always a hyphen (-); byte 14 is
tech level.
Bases: Byte 16. A single code letter for any bases in the system.
Trade Classifications: Bytes 18-32. Up to five 2-letter trade
classifications can be held in this field. Each classification
is separated from the others by a space. It is possible to generate
some of these trade classifications from the world UPP, but they
are computed and included as part of the world data to allow quick
scanning and analysis of the data.
Allegiance: Bytes 33-34. A 2-letter code for the interstellar
government which claims the allegiance of the world.
Travel Zone: Byte 36. If the world is travel zoned, then this field
holds the letter A (for Amber) or R (for Red).
Gas Giant: Byte 38. If the system has one or more gas giants, then
this field has a G.
Tradeworld: Byte 40. Reserved for later use.
Explored?: Byte 42. Reserved for later use.