Locks

Introduction

Locks are a very important part of MUSH building - they help give the world its "flavour", by enforcing rules and conditions.

Basically you could define a lock thus:

A locked object cannot be used unless the thing attempting to use it passes the lock

This is a rather broad definition. There are various types of lock (use, mail, enter, teleport) and so on, so the word "use" in the definition above has a fairly general meaning.

Examples of locks

A locked exit prevents players from passing through it. eg.
```
@lock east = sex:m*
```
This only allows "male" character to use the "east" exit.
A locked player or object cannot be taken (picked up). eg,
```
@lock mirror = #0
```
This prevents anyone from taking the mirror.
A locked room can display a different description than when it is unlocked.
```
@lock here = Iswizard/1
&Iswizard here = [hasflag(%#, WIZARD)]
@succ here = You notice a secret exit behind the fireplace.
```
This would show a description about a secret exit to wizards only.

Success and failure messages

You should generally set a "success" and "failure" message on any object which is locked, so that the player attempting to pass the lock sees an explanatory message. For example:


@lock east = +key
@succ east = You unlock the door and go through it.
@fail east = You must be carrying the key to go through this door.

You should also set "other success" and "other failure" messages on a locked object, so that others in the same room see what is happening to the player.


@osucc east = unlocks the door and passes through.
@ofail east = tugs uselessly at the door.

These messages are covered in more detail in a subsequent page.

Click on Lock Messages for more details about messages that are triggered by attempting to use locked objects.

@LOCK syntax


  @lock[/<switch>] <object>=<key>

Locks <object> to a specific key(s). <object> can be specified as <name> or #<number>, or as 'me' or 'here'. Boolean expressions are allowed, using '&' (and), '|' (or), '!' (not), and parentheses ('(' and ')') for grouping. To lock to a player, prefix their name with '*' (ex. '*Moonchilde').

Example:

@lock Purse = me|*Darling

will lock object purse so that only you or player Darling can take it.

There are further topics on locks:

Comments to Gammon Software support

Page updated on Wednesday, 15 December 2004