printing a string that unfolds with Python

xadrith · 07-23-2008, 11:49 AM

I'm currently designing a text-based game with Python and I was
wondering if there was a way to "unfold" text in a string one
letter at a time. I wanted to use this for certain dramatic
effect, such as unfolding particular parts of the plotline.

An example would be...

As you move deeper into the darkness of the room, the smell of
death becomes too much to bear.

Instead of this being static and all at once, I want each letter
to be drawn one at a time, one after another.

If this is possible, I'd gratefully appreciate any information
to get this working... also, if it IS possible, is there also a
way to set the pace for scrolling the characters?

Thanks for ANY reply, whatsoever!!!

x.D

rocket357 · 07-23-2008, 12:51 PM

Create a function like such:

Code:

def unfold_message(msg,delay):
    try:
        delay=float(delay)
    except ValueError:
        delay=0.100
    for char in msg:
        time.sleep(delay)
        sys.stdout.write(char)
        sys.stdout.flush()
    print

then call it like such:

Code:

my_message = """As you move deeper into the darkness of the room, 
the smell of death becomes too much to bear."""

unfold_message(my_message, 0.100)

This will add a slight delay (one-tenth of a second, though you can modify that to suit your needs) to each character.

smoked kipper · 07-23-2008, 12:53 PM

Of course you can, just use a loop to print one character at a time, something like:

Code:

for c in some_string:
    print c,
    delay()

(obviously you want to flesh this out a bit.)

Or if you need to do other stuff while it's printing (e.g. check for input), maybe maintain an index.

Code:

i=0
while whatever_condition:
    ... do some stuff...
    print some_string[i],
    i+=1
    ... do some more stuff...

edit:
Bah, beaten to it, and with a superior implementation.

edit2:
One thing to note, if you expect (hope?) that people will play the game more than once, you might want to add some way to break out of this delay (e.g. pressing escape will break the loop and just print the message), since once you know what to expect, you tend to just want to get on with it. Of course, this depends on how long the message is...

rocket357 · 07-23-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoked kipper

One thing to note, if you expect (hope?) that people will play the game more than once, you might want to add some way to break out of this delay (e.g. pressing escape will break the loop and just print the message), since once you know what to expect, you tend to just want to get on with it. Of course, this depends on how long the message is...

Excellent point that I hadn't considered =)

xadrith · 07-23-2008, 01:13 PM

Thank you both for your prompt replies and very helpful information. I was looking all over google for something like this and I just didn't know quite how to word it, many thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoked kipper

edit2:
One thing to note, if you expect (hope?) that people will play the game more than once, you might want to add some way to break out of this delay (e.g. pressing escape will break the loop and just print the message), since once you know what to expect, you tend to just want to get on with it. Of course, this depends on how long the message is...

Also, smoked kipper, that second note will be good to keep in mind, definitely. The main goal of designing this game is to apply knowledge gained from this new language to a fun and engaging project, and as I learn more, I will go back and tweak it until, well, I'm happy with it, and... it's fun to play.

The ability to skip through dialogue is a feature no good game should do without. User freedom is paramount.

x.D