Version 0.996

QoL: multiple output flags, last-letter verification for ?, !, ":"

modules/cfxNDB.lua

@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 cfxNDB = {}
-cfxNDB.version = "1.1.0"
+cfxNDB.version = "1.2.0"
 
 --[[--
 	cfxNDB:
-	Copyright (c) 2021 by Christian Franz and cf/x AG
+	Copyright (c) 2021, 2022 by Christian Franz and cf/x AG
 	
 	Zone enhancement that simulates an NDB for a zone.
 	If zone is linked, the NDB's location is updated 
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ cfxNDB.version = "1.1.0"
 		  - paused flag, paused handling 
 		  - startNDB() can accept string 
 		  - stopNDB() can accept string
+	1.2.0 - DML full integration 
 		  
 --]]--
 
@@ -112,13 +113,19 @@ function cfxNDB.createNDBWithZone(theZone)
 	-- paused 
 	theZone.paused = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "paused", false) 
 	
+	-- watchflags 
+	theZone.ndbTriggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "triggerMethod", "change")
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "ndbTriggerMethod") then 
+		theZone.ndbTriggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "ndbTriggerMethod", "change")
+	end 
+	
 	-- on/offf query flags 
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "on?") then 
 		theZone.onFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "on?", "none")
 	end
 	
 	if theZone.onFlag then 
-		theZone.onFlagVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theZone.onFlag) -- save last value
+		theZone.onFlagVal = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.onFlag, theZone) -- trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theZone.onFlag) -- save last value
 	end
 	
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "off?") then 
@@ -126,7 +133,7 @@ function cfxNDB.createNDBWithZone(theZone)
 	end
 	
 	if theZone.offFlag then 
-		theZone.offFlagVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theZone.offFlag) -- save last value
+		theZone.offFlagVal = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.offFlag, theZone) --trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theZone.offFlag) -- save last value
 	end
 	
 	-- start it 
@@ -158,24 +165,17 @@ function cfxNDB.update()
 		end
 		
 		-- now check triggers to start/stop 
-		if theNDB.onFlagVal then 
+		if cfxZones.testZoneFlag(theNDB, theNDB.onFlag, theNDB.ndbTriggerMethod, "onFlagVal") then
-			-- see if this changed 
+			-- yupp, trigger start 
-			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theNDB.onFlag)
+			cfxNDB.startNDB(theNDB)
-			if currTriggerVal ~= theNDB.onFlagVal then
-				-- yupp, trigger start 
-				cfxNDB.startNDB(theNDB)
-				theNDB.onFlagVal = currTriggerVal
-			end			
 		end
 		
-		if theNDB.offFlagVal then 
+		
-			local currTriggerVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theNDB.offFlag)
+		if cfxZones.testZoneFlag(theNDB, theNDB.offFlag, theNDB.ndbTriggerMethod, "offFlagVal") then
-			if currTriggerVal ~= theNDB.offFlagVal then
+			-- yupp, trigger start 
-				-- yupp, trigger start 
+			cfxNDB.stopNDB(theNDB)
-				cfxNDB.stopNDB(theNDB)
+		end 
-				theNDB.offFlagVal = currTriggerVal
+		
-			end		
-		end
 	end
 end
 

modules/cfxObjectDestructDetector.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cfxObjectDestructDetector = {}
-cfxObjectDestructDetector.version = "1.1.0" 
+cfxObjectDestructDetector.version = "1.2.0" 
 cfxObjectDestructDetector.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
 	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ cfxObjectDestructDetector.verbose = false
    1.0.0 initial version, based on parashoo, arty zones  
    1.0.1 fixed bug: trigger.MISC.getUserFlag()
    1.1.0 added support for method, f! and destroyed! 
+   1.2.0 DML / Watchflag support 
    
    
    Detect when an object with OBJECT ID as assigned in ME dies 
@@ -73,13 +74,21 @@ function cfxObjectDestructDetector.processObjectDestructZone(aZone)
 	end
 	
 	-- new method support
-	aZone.method = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "method", "flip")
+	aZone.oddMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "method", "flip")
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "oddMethod") then 
+		aZone.oddMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "oddMethod", "flip")
+	end
+	
 	
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "f!") then 
-		aZone.outDestroyFlag = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f!", -1)
+		aZone.outDestroyFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f!", "*none")
 	end
-		if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "destroyed!") then 
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "destroyed!") then 
-		aZone.outDestroyFlag = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "destroyed!", -1)
+		aZone.outDestroyFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "destroyed!", "*none")
+	end
+
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "objectDestroyed!") then 
+		aZone.outDestroyFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "objectDestroyed!", "*none")
 	end
 end
 --
@@ -95,6 +104,7 @@ function cfxObjectDestructDetector:onEvent(event)
 		for idx, aZone in pairs(cfxObjectDestructDetector.objectZones) do 
 			if aZone.ID == id then 
 				-- flag manipulation 
+				-- OLD FLAG SUPPORT, SOON TO BE REMOVED
 				if aZone.setFlag then 
 					trigger.action.setUserFlag(aZone.setFlag, 1)
 				end
@@ -109,10 +119,11 @@ function cfxObjectDestructDetector:onEvent(event)
 					local val = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.decreaseFlag) - 1
 					trigger.action.setUserFlag(aZone.decreaseFlag, val)
 				end
+				-- END OF OLD CODE, TO BE REMOVED 
 				
 				-- support for banging 
 				if aZone.outDestroyFlag then 
-					cfxZones.pollFlag(aZone.outDestroyFlag, aZone.method)
+					cfxZones.pollFlag(aZone.outDestroyFlag, aZone.oddMethod, aZone)
 				end
 				
 				-- invoke callbacks 

modules/cfxReconMode.lua

@@ -1,11 +1,14 @@
 cfxReconMode = {}
-cfxReconMode.version = "1.4.1"
+cfxReconMode.version = "1.5.0"
 cfxReconMode.verbose = false -- set to true for debug info  
 cfxReconMode.reconSound = "UI_SCI-FI_Tone_Bright_Dry_20_stereo.wav" -- to be played when somethiong discovered
 
 cfxReconMode.prioList = {} -- group names that are high prio and generate special event
 cfxReconMode.blackList = {} -- group names that are NEVER detected. Comma separated strings, e.g. {"Always Hidden", "Invisible Group"}
 
+cfxReconMode.removeWhenDestroyed = true 
+cfxReconMode.activeMarks = {} -- all marks and their groups, indexed by groupName 
+
 cfxReconMode.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
 	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
@@ -42,7 +45,9 @@ VERSION HISTORY
 	   - recon sound 
 	   - read all flight groups at start to get rid of the 
 	   - late activation work-around 
- 
+ 1.5.0 - removeWhenDestroyed()
+	   - autoRemove()
+	   - readConfigZone creates default config zone so we get correct defaulting 
  
  cfxReconMode is a script that allows units to perform reconnaissance
  missions and, after detecting units, marks them on the map with 
@@ -279,14 +284,16 @@ function cfxReconMode.removeMarkForArgs(args)
 	local theID = args[4]
 	local theName = args[5]
 	
---	if not theGroup then return end 
+	-- only remove if it wasn't already removed.
---	if not theGroup:isExist then return end 
+	-- this method is called async *and* sync!
+	if cfxReconMode.activeMarks[theName] then 
+		trigger.action.removeMark(theID)
+		-- invoke callbacks
+		cfxReconMode.invokeCallbacks("removed", theSide, theScout, theGroup, theName)
+		cfxReconMode.activeMarks[theName] = nil -- also remove from list of groups being checked
+	end 
 	
-	trigger.action.removeMark(theID)
+	cfxReconMode.detectedGroups[theName] = nil -- some housekeeping. 
-	cfxReconMode.detectedGroups[theName] = nil 
-	
-	-- invoke callbacks
-	cfxReconMode.invokeCallbacks("removed", theSide, theScout, theGroup, theName)
 end 
 
 
@@ -294,18 +301,23 @@ function cfxReconMode.detectedGroup(mySide, theScout, theGroup, theLoc)
 	-- put a mark on the map 
 	if cfxReconMode.applyMarks then 
 		local theID = cfxReconMode.placeMarkForUnit(theLoc, mySide, theGroup)
-	
+		local gName = theGroup:getName()
+		local args = {mySide, theScout, theGroup, theID, gName}
+		cfxReconMode.activeMarks[gName] = args
 		-- schedule removal if desired 
-		if cfxReconMode.marksFadeAfter > 0 then 
+		if cfxReconMode.marksFadeAfter > 0 then 	
-			args = {mySide, theScout, theGroup, theID, theGroup:getName()}
 			timer.scheduleFunction(cfxReconMode.removeMarkForArgs, args, timer.getTime() + cfxReconMode.marksFadeAfter)
 		end
 	end 
+	
 	-- say something
 	if cfxReconMode.announcer then 
 		trigger.action.outTextForCoalition(mySide, theScout:getName() .. " reports new ground contact " .. theGroup:getName(), 30)
+		trigger.action.outText("+++recon: announced for side " .. mySide, 30)
 		-- play a sound 
 		trigger.action.outSoundForCoalition(mySide, cfxReconMode.reconSound)
+	else 
+		--trigger.action.outText("+++recon: announcer off", 30)
 	end 
 	
 	-- see if it was a prio target 
@@ -420,6 +432,38 @@ function cfxReconMode.updateQueues()
 	end 
 end
 
+function cfxReconMode.isGroupStillAlive(gName)
+		local theGroup = Group.getByName(gName)
+		if not theGroup then return false end 
+		if not theGroup:isExist() then return false end 
+		local allUnits = theGroup:getUnits()
+		for idx, aUnit in pairs (allUnits) do 
+			if aUnit:getLife() >= 1 then return true end 
+		end
+		return false 
+end
+
+function cfxReconMode.autoRemove()
+	-- schedule next call 
+	timer.scheduleFunction(cfxReconMode.autoRemove, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/cfxReconMode.ups)
+	
+	local toRemove = {}
+	-- scan all marked groups, and when they no longer exist, remove them 
+	for idx, args in pairs (cfxReconMode.activeMarks) do
+		-- args = {mySide, theScout, theGroup, theID, gName}
+		local gName = args[5]
+		if not cfxReconMode.isGroupStillAlive(gName) then 
+			-- remove mark, remove group from set 
+			table.insert(toRemove, args)
+		end
+	end 
+	
+	for idx, args in pairs(toRemove) do 
+		cfxReconMode.removeMarkForArgs(args)
+		trigger.action.outText("+++recn: removed mark: " .. args[5], 30)
+	end
+end
+
 -- event handler 
 function cfxReconMode:onEvent(event) 
 	if not event then return end 
@@ -509,10 +553,11 @@ function cfxReconMode.readConfigZone()
 		if cfxReconMode.verbose then
 			trigger.action.outText("+++rcn: no config zone!", 30) 
 		end 
-		return 
+		theZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone("reconModeConfig")
-	end 
+	else  
-	if cfxReconMode.verbose then 
+		if cfxReconMode.verbose then 
-		trigger.action.outText("+++rcn: found config zone!", 30) 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++rcn: found config zone!", 30) 
+		end 
 	end 
 	
 	cfxReconMode.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
@@ -539,10 +584,13 @@ function cfxReconMode.readConfigZone()
 	
 	cfxReconMode.applyMarks = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "applyMarks", true)
 	cfxReconMode.announcer = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "announcer", true)
-	
+	-- trigger.action.outText("recon: announcer is " .. dcsCommon.bool2Text(cfxReconMode.announcer), 30) -- announced
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "reconSound") then 
 		cfxReconMode.reconSound = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "reconSound", "<nosound>")
 	end
+	
+	cfxReconMode.removeWhenDestroyed = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "autoRemove", true)
+	
 end
 
 --
@@ -563,7 +611,13 @@ function cfxReconMode.start()
 	
 	-- start update cycle
 	cfxReconMode.updateQueues()
-		
+	
+	-- if dead groups are removed from map,
+	-- schedule housekeeping 
+	if cfxReconMode.removeWhenDestroyed then 
+		cfxReconMode.autoRemove()
+	end
+	
 	if cfxReconMode.autoRecon then 
 		-- install own event handler to detect 
 		-- when a unit takes off and add it to scout

modules/cloneZone.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cloneZones = {}
-cloneZones.version = "1.4.0"
+cloneZones.version = "1.4.1"
 cloneZones.verbose = false  
 cloneZones.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ cloneZones.uniqueCounter = 9200000 -- we start group numbering here
 	1.3.1 - groupTracker interface 
 		  - trackWith: attribute
 	1.4.0 - Watchflags 
+	1.4.1 - trackWith: accepts list of trackers 
 	
 --]]--
 
@@ -548,14 +549,31 @@ function cloneZones.handoffTracking(theGroup, theZone)
 		return 
 	end
 	local trackerName = theZone.trackWith
-	if trackerName == "*" then trackerName = theZone.name end 
+	--if trackerName == "*" then trackerName = theZone.name end 
-	local theTracker = groupTracker.getTrackerByName(trackerName)
+	-- now assemble a list of all trackers
-	if not theTracker then 
+	if cloneZones.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
-		trigger.action.outText("+++clne: <" .. theZone.name .. ">: cannot find tracker named <".. trackerName .. ">", 30) 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++clne: clone pass-off: " .. trackerName, 30)
-		return 
+	end 
+	
+	local trackerNames = {}
+	if dcsCommon.containsString(trackerName, ',') then
+		trackerNames = dcsCommon.splitString(trackerName, ',')
+	else 
+		table.insert(trackerNames, trackerName)
+	end
+	for idx, aTrk in pairs(trackerNames) do 
+		local theName = dcsCommon.trim(aTrk)
+		if theName == "*" then theName = theZone.name end 
+		local theTracker = groupTracker.getTrackerByName(theName)
+		if not theTracker then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++clne: <" .. theZone.name .. ">: cannot find tracker named <".. theName .. ">", 30) 
+		else 
+			groupTracker.addGroupToTracker(theGroup, theTracker)
+			 if cloneZones.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++clne: added " .. theGroup:getName() .. " to tracker " .. theName, 30)
+			 end
+		end 
 	end 
-
-	groupTracker.addGroupToTracker(theGroup, theTracker)
 end
 
 function cloneZones.spawnWithTemplateForZone(theZone, spawnZone)

modules/dcsCommon.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 dcsCommon = {}
-dcsCommon.version = "2.5.7"
+dcsCommon.version = "2.5.8"
 --[[-- VERSION HISTORY
  2.2.6 - compassPositionOfARelativeToB
 	   - clockPositionOfARelativeToB
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ dcsCommon.version = "2.5.7"
 	   - stringIsPositiveNumber()
  2.5.6 - corrected stringEndsWith() bug with str
  2.5.7 - point2text(p) 
+ 2.5.8 - string2GroupCat()
 	   
 --]]--
 
@@ -1782,6 +1783,30 @@ dcsCommon.version = "2.5.7"
 		return t 
 	end
 
+	function dcsCommon.string2GroupCat(inString)
+
+		if not inString then return 2 end -- default ground 
+		inString = inString:lower()
+		inString = dcsCommon.trim(inString)
+
+		local catNum = tonumber(inString)
+		if catNum then 
+			if catNum < 0 then catNum = 0 end 
+			if catNum > 4 then catNum = 4 end 
+			return catNum 
+		end
+	
+		catNum = 2 -- ground default 
+		if dcsCommon.stringStartsWith(inString, "grou") then catNum = 2 end 
+		if dcsCommon.stringStartsWith(inString, "air") then catNum = 0 end
+		if dcsCommon.stringStartsWith(inString, "hel") then catNum = 1 end
+		if dcsCommon.stringStartsWith(inString, "shi") then catNum = 3 end
+		if dcsCommon.stringStartsWith(inString, "trai") then catNum = 4 end
+
+		return catNum
+	end
+
+
 	-- recursively show the contents of a variable
 	function dcsCommon.dumpVar(key, value, prefix, inrecursion)
 		if not inrecursion then 

modules/delayFlags.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 delayFlag = {}
-delayFlag.version = "1.2.0"
+delayFlag.version = "1.2.1"
 delayFlag.verbose = false  
 delayFlag.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ delayFlag.flags = {}
 		  - pauseDelay?
 		  - unpauseDelay?
 	1.2.0 - Watchflags 
+	1.2.1 - method goes to dlyMethod
+	      - delay done is correctly inited 
 	
 --]]--
 
@@ -86,15 +88,18 @@ function delayFlag.createTimerWithZone(theZone)
 	end
 	
 	
-	theZone.method = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "method", "flip")
+	theZone.delayMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "method", "flip")
 	
-	-- out flag 
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "delayMethod") then
-	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "out!") then 
+		theZone.delayMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "delayMethod", "flip")
-		theZone.delayDoneFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "out!", -1)
 	end
 	
+	-- out flag 
+	theZone.delayDoneFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "out!", "*<none>")
+
+	
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "delayDone!") then 
-		theZone.delayDoneFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "delayDone!", -1)
+		theZone.delayDoneFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "delayDone!", "*<none>")
 	end
 
 	-- stop the press!
@@ -205,10 +210,11 @@ function delayFlag.update()
 				-- end timer 
 				aZone.delayRunning = false 
 				-- poll flag 
-				cfxZones.pollFlag(aZone.delayDoneFlag, aZone.method, aZone)
+				if delayFlag.verbose or aZone.verbose then 
-				if delayFlag.verbose then 
 					trigger.action.outText("+++dlyF: banging on " .. aZone.delayDoneFlag, 30)
-				end 
+				end
+				cfxZones.pollFlag(aZone.delayDoneFlag, aZone.delayMethod, aZone)
+ 
 			end
 		end
 		

modules/groupTrackers.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 groupTracker = {}
-groupTracker.version = "1.0.0"
+groupTracker.version = "1.1.0"
 groupTracker.verbose = false 
 groupTracker.ups = 1 
 groupTracker.requiredLibs = {
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ groupTracker.trackers = {}
 --[[--
 	Version History 
 	1.0.0 - Initial version 
+	1.1.0 - filtering  added 
+	      - array support for trackers 
+	      - array support for trackers 
 	
 --]]--
 
@@ -37,7 +40,19 @@ end
 -- adding a group to a tracker - called by other modules and API
 -- 
 function groupTracker.addGroupToTracker(theGroup, theTracker)
-	if groupTracker.verbose then 
+	-- check if filtering is enabled for this tracker
+	if theTracker.groupFilter then 
+		cat = theGroup:getCategory()
+		if not cat then return end -- strange, but better safe than sorry
+		if cat ~= theTracker.groupFilter then 
+			if groupTracker.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++gTrk: Tracker <" .. theTracker.name .. "> rejected <" .. theGroup:getName() .. "> for class mismatch. Expect: " .. theTracker.groupFilter .. " received: " .. cat , 30)
+			end
+			return 
+		end 
+	end
+
+	if groupTracker.verbose or theTracker.verbose then 
 		trigger.action.outText("+++gTrk: will add group <" .. theGroup:getName() .. "> to tracker " .. theTracker.name, 30)
 	end 
 	
@@ -96,6 +111,13 @@ function groupTracker.createTrackerWithZone(theZone)
 		-- we may need to zero this flag 
 	end
 	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "groupFilter") then 
+		local filterString = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "groupFilter", "2") -- ground 
+		theZone.groupFilter = dcsCommon.string2GroupCat(filterString)
+		if groupTracker.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++gTrck: filtering " .. theZone.groupFilter .. " in " .. theZone.name, 30)
+		end 
+	end	
 end
 
 --
@@ -121,7 +143,7 @@ function groupTracker.checkGroups(theZone)
 		
 		if isDead then 
 			-- bang deceased
-			if groupTracker.verbose then 
+			if groupTracker.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
 				trigger.action.outText("+++gTrk: dead group detected in " .. theZone.name .. ", discarding.", 30)
 			end
 			if theZone.tRemoveGroup then 
@@ -157,6 +179,35 @@ end
 function groupTracker.trackGroupsInZone(theZone)
 
 	local trackerName = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "addToTracker:", "<none>")
+	
+	local theGroups = cfxZones.allGroupsInZone(theZone, nil)
+	
+	-- now init array processing
+	local trackerNames = {}
+	if dcsCommon.containsString(trackerName, ',') then
+		trackerNames = dcsCommon.splitString(trackerName, ',')
+	else 
+		table.insert(trackerNames, trackerName)
+	end
+	
+	for idx, aTrk in pairs(trackerNames) do 
+		local theName = dcsCommon.trim(aTrk)
+		if theName == "*" then theName = theZone.name end 
+		local theTracker = groupTracker.getTrackerByName(theName)
+		if not theTracker then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++gTrk-TW: <" .. theZone.name .. ">: cannot find tracker named <".. theName .. ">", 30) 
+		else 
+			for idy, aGroup in pairs(theGroups) do
+				groupTracker.addGroupToTracker(aGroup, theTracker)
+				if cloneZones.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++gTrk-TW: added " .. theGroup:getName() .. " to tracker " .. theName, 30)
+				end
+			end
+		end 
+	end 
+	
+	-- old code, non-array capable
+	--[[--
 	if trackerName == "*" then trackerName = theZone.name end 
 	
 	local theTracker = groupTracker.getTrackerByName(trackerName)
@@ -172,7 +223,7 @@ function groupTracker.trackGroupsInZone(theZone)
 		end
 		groupTracker.addGroupToTracker(aGroup, theTracker)
 	end
-	
+	--]]--
 end
 
 
@@ -215,7 +266,7 @@ function groupTracker.start()
 	end
 	
 	-- find and process all zones that want me to immediately add
-	-- units to the tracker 
+	-- units to the tracker. Must run AFTER we have gathered all trackers
 	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("addToTracker:")
 	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
 		groupTracker.trackGroupsInZone(aZone) -- process attributes
@@ -234,9 +285,3 @@ if not groupTracker.start() then
 	messenger = nil 
 end
 
---[[--
-	add a pass to immediately add units in zones with 'addToTracker' 
-	after zone pass 
-	
-	add an output flag for the total number of units it watches, so when that changes, a change is instigated automatically 
---]]--

modules/messenger.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 messenger = {}
-messenger.version = "1.2.0"
+messenger.version = "1.2.1"
 messenger.verbose = false 
 messenger.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ messenger.messengers = {}
 	1.1.1 - firewalled coalition to msgCoalition
 		  - messageOn?
 		  - messageOff?
-	1.2.0 - triggerMethod (original Watchflag integration) 
+	1.2.0 - msgTriggerMethod (original Watchflag integration) 
-	
+	1.2.1 - qoL: <n> = newline, <z> = zone name, <v> = value 
 --]]--
 
 function messenger.addMessenger(theZone)
@@ -40,9 +40,24 @@ end
 --
 -- read attributes
 --
+function messenger.preProcMessage(inMsg, theZone)
+	if not inMsg then return "<nil inMsg>" end
+	local formerType = type(inMsg)
+	if formerType ~= "string" then inMsg = tostring(inMsg) end  
+	if not inMsg then inMsg = "<inMsg is incompatible type " .. formerType .. ">" end 
+	local outMsg = ""
+	-- replace line feeds 
+	outMsg = inMsg:gsub("<n>", "\n")
+	if theZone then 
+		outMsg = outMsg:gsub("<z>", theZone.name)
+	end
+	return outMsg
+end 
+
 function messenger.createMessengerWithZone(theZone)
 	-- start val - a range
-	theZone.message = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "message", "") 
+	local aMessage = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "message", "") 
+	theZone.message = messenger.preProcMessage(aMessage, theZone)
 
 	theZone.spaceBefore = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "spaceBefore", false)
 	theZone.spaceAfter = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "spaceAfter", false)
@@ -55,8 +70,11 @@ function messenger.createMessengerWithZone(theZone)
 	
 	theZone.duration = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "duration", 30)
 	
-	-- triggerMethod
+	-- msgTriggerMethod
-	theZone.triggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "triggerMethod", "change")
+	theZone.msgTriggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "triggerMethod", "change")
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "msgTriggerMethod") then 
+		theZone.msgTriggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "msgTriggerMethod", "change")
+	end 
 	
 	-- trigger flag f? in? messageOut?
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "f?") then 
@@ -124,6 +142,7 @@ function messenger.getMessage(theZone)
 	-- replace *zone and *value wildcards 
 	msg = string.gsub(msg, "*name", zName)
 	msg = string.gsub(msg, "*value", zVal)
+	msg = string.gsub(msg, "<v>", zVal) 
 	
 	return msg 
 end
@@ -163,7 +182,7 @@ function messenger.update()
 	for idx, aZone in pairs(messenger.messengers) do
 		-- make sure to re-start before reading time limit
 		-- new trigger code 
-		if cfxZones.testZoneFlag(aZone, 				aZone.triggerMessagerFlag, aZone.triggerMethod, 			"lastMessageTriggerValue") then 
+		if cfxZones.testZoneFlag(aZone, 				aZone.triggerMessagerFlag, aZone.msgTriggerMethod, 			"lastMessageTriggerValue") then 
 			if messenger.verbose then 
 					trigger.action.outText("+++msgr: triggered on in? for <".. aZone.name ..">", 30)
 				end
@@ -171,14 +190,14 @@ function messenger.update()
 		end 
 		
 		-- old trigger code 		
-		if cfxZones.testZoneFlag(aZone, aZone.messageOffFlag, "change", "lastMessageOff") then 
+		if cfxZones.testZoneFlag(aZone, aZone.messageOffFlag, aZone.msgTriggerMethod, "lastMessageOff") then 
 			aZone.messageOff = true
 			if messenger.verbose then 
 				trigger.action.outText("+++msg: messenger <" .. aZone.name .. "> turned ***OFF***", 30)
 			end 
 		end
 		
-		if cfxZones.testZoneFlag(aZone, 				aZone.messageOnFlag, "change", "lastMessageOn") then 
+		if cfxZones.testZoneFlag(aZone, 				aZone.messageOnFlag, aZone.msgTriggerMethod, "lastMessageOn") then 
 			aZone.messageOff = false
 			if messenger.verbose then 
 				trigger.action.outText("+++msg: messenger <" .. aZone.name .. "> turned ON", 30)

modules/raiseFlag.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 raiseFlag = {}
-raiseFlag.version = "1.2.0"
+raiseFlag.version = "1.2.1"
 raiseFlag.verbose = false 
 raiseFlag.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ raiseFlag.flags = {}
 	1.0.1 - synonym "raiseFlag!"
 	1.1.0 - DML update
 	1.2.0 - Watchflag update 
+	1.2.1 - support for 'inc', 'dec', 'flip'
 	
 --]]--
 function raiseFlag.addRaiseFlag(theZone)
@@ -42,7 +43,8 @@ function raiseFlag.createRaiseFlagWithZone(theZone)
 		theZone.raiseFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "raiseFlag!", "<none>") -- the flag to raise 
 	end 
 	
-	theZone.flagValue = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "value", 1) -- value to set to
+	theZone.flagValue = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "value", "inc") -- value to set to. default is command 'inc' 
+	theZone.flagValue = theZone.flagValue:lower()
 
 	theZone.minAfterTime, theZone.maxAfterTime = cfxZones.getPositiveRangeFromZoneProperty(theZone, "afterTime", -1)
 
@@ -77,7 +79,19 @@ function raiseFlag.triggered(args)
 	local theZone = args.theZone 
 	if theZone.raiseStopped then return end 
 	-- if we get here, we aren't stopped and do the flag pull
-	cfxZones.setFlagValue(theZone.raiseFlag, theZone.flagValue, theZone)
+	local command = theZone.flagValue
+	command = dcsCommon.trim(command)
+	if command == "inc" or command == "dec" or command == "flip" then 
+		cfxZones.pollFlag(theZone.raiseFlag, command, theZone)
+		if raiseFlag.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++rFlg - raising <" .. theZone.raiseFlag .. "> with method " .. command ,30)
+		end
+	else 
+		cfxZones.setFlagValue(theZone.raiseFlag, theZone.flagValue, theZone)
+		if raiseFlag.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++rFlg - raising <" .. theZone.raiseFlag .. "> to value: " .. theZone.flagValue ,30)
+		end
+	end
 end
 
 --
@@ -163,4 +177,7 @@ end
 if not raiseFlag.start() then 
 	trigger.action.outText("cfx Raise Flag aborted: missing libraries", 30)
 	raiseFlag = nil 
-end
+end
+
+-- add rnd(a,b) support to value 
+-- better: if value is a range, make it a random. problem: negative values are legal, so we need formula

modules/unitZone.lua

@@ -1,11 +1,19 @@
 unitZone={}
-unitZone.version = "1.0.0"
+unitZone.version = "1.1.0"
 unitZone.verbose = false 
 unitZone.ups = 1 
 unitZone.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
 	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
 }
+--[[--
+	Version History 
+	1.0.0 - Initial Version
+	1.1.0 - DML flag integration 
+		  - method/uzMethod 
+		  
+--]]--
+
 unitZone.unitZones = {}
 
 function unitZone.addUnitZone(theZone)
@@ -62,7 +70,17 @@ function unitZone.createUnitZone(theZone)
 	-- coalition 
 	theZone.uzCoalition = cfxZones.getCoalitionFromZoneProperty(theZone, "coalition", 0) -- 0 = all
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "uzCoalition") then 
-		cfxZones.uzCoalition = cfxZones.getCoalitionFromZoneProperty(theZone, "uzCoalition", 0)
+		theZone.uzCoalition = cfxZones.getCoalitionFromZoneProperty(theZone, "uzCoalition", 0)
+	end
+	
+	if unitZone.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++uZne: set coa " .. theZone.uzCoalition .. " for <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
+	end
+
+	-- DML M;ethod 
+	theZone.uzMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "method", "inc")
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "uzMethod") then 
+		theZone.uzMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "uzMethod", "inc")
 	end
 
 	theZone.enterZone = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "enterZone!", "<none>")
@@ -184,16 +202,16 @@ end
 --
 function unitZone.bangState(theZone, newState)
 	
-	cfxZones.pollFlag(theZone.changeZone, "inc", theZone)
+	cfxZones.pollFlag(theZone.changeZone, theZone.uzMethod, theZone)
 	if newState then 
-		cfxZones.pollFlag(theZone.enterZone, "inc", theZone)
+		cfxZones.pollFlag(theZone.enterZone, theZone.uzMethod, theZone)
 		if unitZone.verbose then 
-			trigger.action.outText("+++uZone: banging enter!  on <" .. theZone.enterZone .. "> for " .. theZone.name, 30)
+			trigger.action.outText("+++uZone: banging enter! with <" .. theZone.uzMethod .. "> on <" .. theZone.enterZone .. "> for " .. theZone.name, 30)
 		end 
 	else 
-		cfxZones.pollFlag(theZone.exitZone, "inc", theZone)
+		cfxZones.pollFlag(theZone.exitZone, theZone.uzMethod, theZone)
 		if unitZone.verbose then 
-			trigger.action.outText("+++uZone: banging exit! on <" .. theZone.exitZone .. "> for " .. theZone.name, 30)
+			trigger.action.outText("+++uZone: banging exit! with <" .. theZone.uzMethod .. "> on <" .. theZone.exitZone .. "> for " .. theZone.name, 30)
 		end
 	end
 end

modules/xFlags.lua

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 xFlags = {}
 xFlags.version = "1.0.1"
 xFlags.verbose = false 
-xFlags.ups = 1 -- overwritten in get config!
+xFlags.ups = 1 -- overwritten in get config when configZone is present
 xFlags.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
 	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@ xFlags.requiredLibs = {
 	Version History 
 	1.0.0 - Initial version 
 	1.0.1 - allow flags names for ops as well 
-	        modelled on cfxZones.testFlagByMethodForZone()
+	1.1.0 - Watchflags harmonization 
+	
 --]]--
 xFlags.xFlagZones = {}
 
@@ -75,9 +76,13 @@ function xFlags.createXFlagsWithZone(theZone)
 	
 	theZone.matchNum = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "#hits", 0)
 	
-	theZone.lookFor = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "lookFor", "change") -- (<>=[number or reference flag], off, on, yes, no, true, false, change
+	theZone.xTriggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "xTriggerMethod", "change") -- (<>=[number or reference flag], off, on, yes, no, true, false, change
-	theZone.lookFor = string.lower(theZone.lookFor)
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "xTrigger") then 
-	theZone.lookFor = dcsCommon.trim(theZone.lookFor)
+		theZone.xTriggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "xTrigger", "change")
+	end 
+	
+	theZone.xTriggerMethod = string.lower(theZone.xTriggerMethod)
+	theZone.xTriggerMethod = dcsCommon.trim(theZone.xTriggerMethod)
 	
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "xReset?") then 
 		theZone.xReset = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "xReset?", "<none>")
@@ -104,7 +109,7 @@ function xFlags.evaluateFlags(theZone)
 	end
 	
 	-- now perform comparison flag by flag 
-	local op = theZone.lookFor
+	local op = theZone.xTriggerMethod
 	local hits = 0
 	local checkSum = ""
 	local firstChar = string.sub(op, 1, 1) 
@@ -116,6 +121,9 @@ function xFlags.evaluateFlags(theZone)
 		rNum = cfxZones.getFlagValue(remainder, theZone)
 	end 
 	
+	-- this mimics cfxZones.testFlagByMethodForZone method (and is 
+    -- that method's genesis), but is different enough not to invoke that 
+	-- method 
 	for i = 1, #theZone.flagNames do 
 		local lastHits = hits 
 		if op == "change" then 
@@ -167,7 +175,7 @@ function xFlags.evaluateFlags(theZone)
 			end
 
 		else 
-			trigger.action.outText("+++xF: unknown lookFor: <" .. op .. ">", 30)
+			trigger.action.outText("+++xF: unknown xTriggerMethod: <" .. op .. ">", 30)
 			return 0, ""
 		end
 		if xFlags.verbose and lastHits ~= hits then