Let's remove, or at least increase, get_dist's maximum return value

ID:2890043
 
Sep 21 2023, 9:21 am
Resolved
get_dist() can now return values over 127. If one or both atoms isn't on the map, infinity is returned instead.

Note that the maximum distance allowed for verbs' "set src" and for verb arguments is still shy of 127.
Applies to:Dream Daemon
Status: Resolved (515.1617)
This issue has been resolved.
get_dist(loc, loc) has a maximum of 127.

In the BYONDiscord, the question of why this limitation exists has been floated a couple of times. The response is "Historical reasons" and has more recently been followed by a notion that Lummox JR would be interested in increasing it, followed by some musings about improving pathfinding code.

It seems to me that this 127 number is archaic and is really showing its age. I'm not the only one who would appreciate the ability to get more accurate measurements at increased distances rather than having to guess after a nebulous 127 tiles.

If there's developmental buy-in to improve pathfinding code, increasing the maximum on a fundamental like get_dist() is a great place to start.
Oct 10 2023, 3:16 pm
Lummox JR resolved issue with message:
get_dist() can now return values over 127. If one or both atoms isn't on the map, infinity is returned instead.

Note that the maximum distance allowed for verbs' "set src" and for verb arguments is still shy of 127.