Version 1.1.0

Persistence

modules/RNDFlags.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 rndFlags = {}
-rndFlags.version = "1.3.1"
+rndFlags.version = "1.3.2"
 rndFlags.verbose = false 
 rndFlags.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
@@ -29,8 +29,10 @@ rndFlags.requiredLibs = {
 	      - added zonal verbosity 
 		  - added 'rndDone!' flag 
 		  - rndMethod defaults to "inc"
+	1.3.2 - moved flagArrayFromString to dcsCommon
 
 --]]
+
 rndFlags.rndGen = {}
 
 function rndFlags.addRNDZone(aZone)
@@ -38,6 +40,8 @@ function rndFlags.addRNDZone(aZone)
 end
 
 function rndFlags.flagArrayFromString(inString)
+	return dcsCommon.flagArrayFromString(inString, rndFlags.verbose)
+	--[[--
 	if string.len(inString) < 1 then 
 		trigger.action.outText("+++RND: empty flags", 30)
 		return {} 
@@ -88,6 +92,7 @@ function rndFlags.flagArrayFromString(inString)
 		trigger.action.outText("+++RND: <" .. #flags .. "> flags total", 30)
 	end 
 	return flags
+	--]]--
 end
 
 --

modules/cfxCargoReceiver.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cfxCargoReceiver = {}
-cfxCargoReceiver.version = "1.2.1" 
+cfxCargoReceiver.version = "1.2.2" 
 cfxCargoReceiver.ups = 1 -- once a second 
 cfxCargoReceiver.maxDirectionRange = 500 -- in m. distance when cargo manager starts talking to pilots who are carrying that cargo
 cfxCargoReceiver.requiredLibs = {
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ cfxCargoReceiver.requiredLibs = {
   - 1.2.0 method
 		  f!, cargoReceived!
   - 1.2.1 cargoMethod 
+  - 1.2.2 removed deprecated functions 
+		  corrected pollFlag bug (not passing zone along)
+		  distance to receiver is given as distance to zone boundary 
   
   
   CargoReceiver is a zone enhancement you use to be automatically 
@@ -39,13 +42,15 @@ function cfxCargoReceiver.processReceiverZone(aZone) -- process attribute and ad
 	-- isCargoReceiver flag and we are good
 	aZone.isCargoReceiver = true 
 	-- we can add additional processing here 
-	aZone.autoRemove = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "autoRemove", false) -- maybe add a removedelay
+	aZone.autoRemove = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "autoRemove", false) -- maybe add a removeDelay
-	
+	aZone.removeDelay = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(aZone, "removeDelay", 1)
+	if aZone.removeDelay < 1 then aZone.removeDelay = 1 end 
 	aZone.silent = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(aZone, "silent", false)
 	
 	--trigger.action.outText("+++rcv: recognized receiver zone: " .. aZone.name , 30)
 	
 	-- same integration as object destruct detector for flags
+	--[[--
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "setFlag") then 
 		aZone.setFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "setFlag", "999")
 	end
@@ -70,7 +75,7 @@ function cfxCargoReceiver.processReceiverZone(aZone) -- process attribute and ad
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "f-1") then 
 		aZone.decreaseFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f-1", "999")
 	end
-	
+	--]]--
 	-- new method support
 	aZone.cargoMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "method", "inc")
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "cargoMethod") then 
@@ -79,9 +84,7 @@ function cfxCargoReceiver.processReceiverZone(aZone) -- process attribute and ad
 	
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "f!") then 
 		aZone.outReceiveFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "f!", "*<none>")
-	end
+	elseif cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "cargoReceived!") then 
-
-	if cfxZones.hasProperty(aZone, "cargoReceived!") then 
 		aZone.outReceiveFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(aZone, "cargoReceived!", "*<none>")
 	end
 	
@@ -112,7 +115,25 @@ end
 --
 -- cargo event happened. Called by Cargo Manager
 --
+function cfxCargoReceiver.removeCargo(args)
+	-- asynch call
+	if not args then return end 
+	local theObject = args.theObject 
+	local theZone = args.theZone 
+	if not theObject then return end 
+	if not theObject:isExist() then 
+		-- maybe blew up? anyway, we are done 
+		return
+	end 
+	if args.theZone.verbose or cfxCargoReceiver.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++crgR: removed object <" .. theObject.getName() .. "> from cargo zone <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
+	end 
+	
+	theObject:destroy()
+end
+
 function cfxCargoReceiver.cargoEvent(event, object, name) 
+	-- usually called from cargomanager 
 	--trigger.action.outText("Cargo Receiver: event <" .. event .. "> for " .. name, 30)
 	if not event then return end 
 	if event == "grounded" then 
@@ -135,6 +156,7 @@ function cfxCargoReceiver.cargoEvent(event, object, name)
 				cfxCargoReceiver.invokeCallback("deliver", object, name, aZone)
 				
 				-- set flags as indicated
+				--[[--
 				if aZone.setFlag then 
 					trigger.action.setUserFlag(aZone.setFlag, 1)
 				end
@@ -149,16 +171,20 @@ function cfxCargoReceiver.cargoEvent(event, object, name)
 					local val = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(aZone.decreaseFlag) - 1
 					trigger.action.setUserFlag(aZone.decreaseFlag, val)
 				end
-				
+				--]]--
 				if aZone.outReceiveFlag then 
-					cfxZones.pollFlag(aZone.outReceiveFlag, aZone.cargoMethod)
+					cfxZones.pollFlag(aZone.outReceiveFlag, aZone.cargoMethod, aZone)
 				end
 				
 				--trigger.action.outText("+++rcv: " .. name .. " delivered in zone " .. aZone.name, 30)
 				--trigger.action.outSound("Quest Snare 3.wav")
 				if aZone.autoRemove then 
-					-- maybe schedule this in a few seconds?
+					-- schedule this for in a few seconds?
-					object:destroy()
+					local args = {}
+					args.theObject = object 
+					args.theZone = aZone 
+					timer.scheduleFunction(cfxCargoReceiver.removeCargo, args, timer.getTime() + aZone.removeDelay)
+					--object:destroy()
 				end
 			end
 		end
@@ -177,11 +203,16 @@ function cfxCargoReceiver.update()
 	-- new we see if any of these are close to a delivery zone 
 	for idx, aCargo in pairs(liftedCargos) do 
 		local thePoint = aCargo:getPoint()
-		local receiver, delta = cfxZones.getClosestZone(
+		local receiver = cfxZones.getClosestZone(
 			thePoint,
 			cfxCargoReceiver.receiverZones -- must be indexed by name
 			)
 		-- we now check if we are in 'speaking range' and receiver can talk 
+		-- modify delta by distance to boundary, not 
+		-- center
+		local delta = dcsCommon.distFlat(thePoint, cfxZones.getPoint(receiver))
+		delta = delta - receiver.radius
+		
 		if (receiver.silent == false) and 
 		   (delta < cfxCargoReceiver.maxDirectionRange) then 
 			-- this cargo can be talked down. 
@@ -195,7 +226,7 @@ function cfxCargoReceiver.update()
 				local theUnit = info.unit
 				if theUnit:isExist() then 
 					local uPoint = theUnit:getPoint()
-					local currDelta = dcsCommon.dist(thePoint, uPoint)
+					local currDelta = dcsCommon.distFlat(thePoint, uPoint)
 					if currDelta < minDelta then 
 						minDelta = currDelta
 						closestUnit = theUnit
@@ -217,7 +248,7 @@ function cfxCargoReceiver.update()
 							receiver.point, 
 							thePoint, 
 							ownHeading) .. " o'clock"
-						message = receiver.name .. " is " .. math.floor(delta) .. "m at your " .. oclock
+						message = receiver.name .. " (r=" .. receiver.radius .. "m) is " .. math.floor(delta) .. "m at your " .. oclock
 					end
 					-- add agl
 					local agl = dcsCommon.getUnitAGL(aCargo)

modules/cfxMX.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 cfxMX = {}
-cfxMX.version = "1.1.0"
+cfxMX.version = "1.2.0"
+cfxMX.verbose = false 
 --[[--
  Mission data decoder. Access to ME-built mission structures
  
@@ -12,6 +13,10 @@ cfxMX.version = "1.1.0"
 	     - on start up collects a cross reference table of all 
 		   original group id 
 		 - add linkUnit for statics 
+   1.2.0 - added group name reference table 
+		 - added group type reference 
+		 - added references for allFixed, allHelo, allGround, allSea, allStatic
+		 
    
  
 --]]--
@@ -19,6 +24,11 @@ cfxMX.groupNamesByID = {}
 cfxMX.groupIDbyName = {}
 cfxMX.groupDataByName = {}
 
+cfxMX.allFixedByName = {}
+cfxMX.allHeloByName = {}
+cfxMX.allGroundByName = {}
+cfxMX.allSeaByName = {}
+cfxMX.allStaticByName ={}
 
 function cfxMX.getGroupFromDCSbyName(aName, fetchOriginal)
 	if not fetchOriginal then fetchOriginal = false end 
@@ -154,7 +164,7 @@ function cfxMX.getStaticFromDCSbyName(aName, fetchOriginal)
 	return nil, "<none>", "<none>", "<no group name>"
 end
 
-function cfxMX.createCrossReference()
+function cfxMX.createCrossReferences()
 	for coa_name_miz, coa_data in pairs(env.mission.coalition) do -- iterate all coalitions
 		local coa_name = coa_name_miz
 		if string.lower(coa_name_miz) == 'neutrals' then -- remove 's' at neutralS
@@ -178,7 +188,7 @@ function cfxMX.createCrossReference()
 							   obj_type_name == "ship" or 
 							   obj_type_name == "plane" or 
 							   obj_type_name == "vehicle" or 
-							   obj_type_name == "static" 
+							   obj_type_name == "static" -- what about "cargo"?
 							then -- (so it's not id or name)
 								local category = obj_type_name
 								if ((type(obj_type_data) == 'table') and obj_type_data.group and (type(obj_type_data.group) == 'table') and (#obj_type_data.group > 0)) then	--there's at least one group!
@@ -188,6 +198,21 @@ function cfxMX.createCrossReference()
 										cfxMX.groupNamesByID[aID] = aName
 										cfxMX.groupIDbyName[aName] = aID
 										cfxMX.groupDataByName[aName] = group_data
+										-- now make the type-specific xrefs
+										if obj_type_name == "helicopter" then 
+											cfxMX.allHeloByName[aName] = group_data 
+										elseif obj_type_name == "ship" then 
+											cfxMX.allSeaByName[aName] = group_data
+										elseif obj_type_name == "plane" then 
+											cfxMX.allFixedByName[aName] = group_data
+										elseif obj_type_name == "vehicle" then 
+											cfxMX.allGroundByName[aName] = group_data
+										elseif obj_type_name == "static" then 
+											cfxMX.allStaticByName[aName] = group_data
+										else 
+											-- should be impossible, but still
+											trigger.action.outText("+++MX: <" .. obj_type_name .. "> unknown type for <" .. aName .. ">", 30)
+										end
 									end
 								end --if has category data 
 							end --if plane, helo etc... category
@@ -212,8 +237,10 @@ function cfxMX.catText2ID(inText)
 end
  
 function cfxMX.start()
-	cfxMX.createCrossReference()
+	cfxMX.createCrossReferences()
-	trigger.action.outText("cfxMX: "..#cfxMX.groupNamesByID .. " groups processed successfully", 30)
+	if cfxMX.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("cfxMX: "..#cfxMX.groupNamesByID .. " groups processed successfully", 30)
+	end
 end
 
 -- start 

modules/cfxObjectSpawnZones.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cfxObjectSpawnZones = {}
-cfxObjectSpawnZones.version = "1.2.1"
+cfxObjectSpawnZones.version = "1.3.0"
 cfxObjectSpawnZones.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- common is of course needed for everything
 	             -- pretty stupid to check for this since we 
@@ -26,7 +26,10 @@ cfxObjectSpawnZones.verbose = false
 --   1.1.5 - spawn?, spawnObjects? synonyms
 --   1.2.0 - DML flag upgrade 
 --   1.2.1 - config zone 
---         - autoLink bug (zone instead of spaneer accessed)
+--         - autoLink bug (zone instead of spawner accessed)
+--   1.3.0 - better synonym handling 
+--         - useDelicates link to delicate when spawned 
+-- 		   - spawned single and multi-objects can be made delicates
  
 -- respawn currently happens after theSpawns is deleted and cooldown seconds have passed 
 cfxObjectSpawnZones.allSpawners = {}
@@ -58,13 +61,9 @@ function cfxObjectSpawnZones.createSpawner(inZone)
 	-- connect with ME if a trigger flag is given 
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(inZone, "f?") then 
 		theSpawner.triggerFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "f?", "none")
-	end
+	elseif cfxZones.hasProperty(inZone, "spawn?") then 
-	
-	if cfxZones.hasProperty(inZone, "spawn?") then 
 		theSpawner.triggerFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "spawn?", "none")
-	end
+	elseif cfxZones.hasProperty(inZone, "spawnObjects?") then 
-	
-	if cfxZones.hasProperty(inZone, "spawnObjects?") then 
 		theSpawner.triggerFlag = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "spawnObjects?", "none")
 	end
 	
@@ -116,6 +115,11 @@ function cfxObjectSpawnZones.createSpawner(inZone)
 	theSpawner.requestable = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(inZone, "requestable", false)
 	if theSpawner.requestable then theSpawner.paused = true end
 	
+	-- see if the spawn can be made brittle/delicte
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(inZone, "useDelicates") then 
+		theSpawner.delicateName = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(inZone, "useDelicates", "<none>")
+	end
+	
 	-- see if it is linked to a ship to set realtive orig headiong
 	
 	if inZone.linkedUnit  then
@@ -258,6 +262,16 @@ function cfxObjectSpawnZones.spawnObjectNTimes(aSpawner, theType, n, container)
 			end
 		end
 		
+		if aSpawner.delicateName and delicates then 
+			-- pass this object to the delicate zone mentioned 
+			local theDeli = delicates.getDelicatesByName(aSpawner.delicateName)
+			if theDeli then 
+				delicates.addStaticObjectToInventoryForZone(theDeli, theObject)
+			else 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++oSpwn: spawner <" .. aZone.name .. "> can't find delicates <" .. aSpawner.delicateName .. ">", 30)
+			end
+		end
+		
 		return 
 	end 
 	
@@ -302,6 +316,17 @@ function cfxObjectSpawnZones.spawnObjectNTimes(aSpawner, theType, n, container)
 				cfxCargoManager.addCargo(theObject)
 			end
 		end
+		
+		if aSpawner.delicateName and delicates then 
+			-- pass this object to the delicate zone mentioned 
+			local theDeli = delicates.getDelicatesByName(aSpawner.delicateName)
+			if theDeli then 
+				delicates.addStaticObjectToInventoryForZone(theDeli, theObject)
+			else 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++oSpwn: spawner <" .. aZone.name .. "> can't find delicates <" .. aSpawner.delicateName .. ">", 30)
+			end
+		end
+		
 		-- update rotation
 		currDegree = currDegree + degreeIncrement
 	end

modules/cfxZones.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cfxZones = {}
-cfxZones.version = "2.8.3"
+cfxZones.version = "2.8.4"
 
 -- cf/x zone management module
 -- reads dcs zones and makes them accessible and mutable 
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ cfxZones.version = "2.8.3"
 - 2.8.3   - new verifyMethod()
           - changed extractPropertyFromDCS() to also match attributes with blanks like "the Attr" to "theAttr"
 		  - new expandFlagName()
+- 2.8.4   - fixed bug in setFlagValue()
 
 --]]--
 cfxZones.verbose = false
@@ -867,11 +868,12 @@ end
 -- get closest zone returns the zone that is closest to point 
 function cfxZones.getClosestZone(point, theZones)
 	if not theZones then theZones = cfxZones.zones end
+	local lPoint = {x=point.x, y=0, z=point.z}
 	local currDelta = math.huge 
 	local closestZone = nil
 	for zName, zData in pairs(theZones) do 
 		local zPoint = cfxZones.getPoint(zData)
-		local delta = dcsCommon.dist(point, zPoint)
+		local delta = dcsCommon.dist(lPoint, zPoint) -- emulate flag compare 
 		if (delta < currDelta) then 
 			currDelta = delta
 			closestZone = zData
@@ -1276,7 +1278,7 @@ end
 function cfxZones.setFlagValue(theFlag, theValue, theZone)
 	local zoneName = "<dummy>"
 	if not theZone then 
-		trigger.action.outText("+++Zne: no zone on setFlagValue")
+		trigger.action.outText("+++Zne: no zone on setFlagValue", 30) -- mod me for detector
 	else 
 		zoneName = theZone.name -- for flag wildcards
 	end

modules/dcsCommon.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 dcsCommon = {}
-dcsCommon.version = "2.6.6"
+dcsCommon.version = "2.6.8"
 --[[-- VERSION HISTORY
  2.2.6 - compassPositionOfARelativeToB
 	   - clockPositionOfARelativeToB
@@ -82,7 +82,9 @@ dcsCommon.version = "2.6.6"
 	   - new stringRemainsStartingWith()
        - new stripLF()
 	   - new removeBlanks()
-	   
+ 2.6.7 - new menu2text()
+ 2.6.8 - new getMissionName()
+       - new flagArrayFromString()
 --]]--
 
 	-- dcsCommon is a library of common lua functions 
@@ -1882,6 +1884,21 @@ dcsCommon.version = "2.6.6"
 		return catNum
 	end
 
+	function dcsCommon.menu2text(inMenu)
+		if not inMenu then return "<nil>" end
+		local s = ""
+		for n, v in pairs(inMenu) do 
+			if type(v) == "string" then 
+				if s == "" then s = "[" .. v .. "]"  else 
+					s = s .. " | [" .. type(v) .. "]" end
+			else 
+				if s == "" then s = "[<" .. type(v) .. ">]"  else
+					s = s .. " | [<" .. type(v) .. ">]" end
+			end
+		end
+		return s
+	end
+
 	-- recursively show the contents of a variable
 	function dcsCommon.dumpVar(key, value, prefix, inrecursion)
 		if not inrecursion then 
@@ -2361,6 +2378,68 @@ function dcsCommon.latLon2Text(lat, lon)
 	return lat, lon  
 end
 
+-- get mission name. If mission file name without ".miz"
+function dcsCommon.getMissionName()
+	local mn = net.dostring_in("gui", "return DCS.getMissionName()")
+	return mn
+end
+
+function dcsCommon.flagArrayFromString(inString, verbose)
+	if not verbose then verbose = false end 
+	
+	if verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++flagArray: processing <" .. inString .. ">", 30)
+	end 
+
+	if string.len(inString) < 1 then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++flagArray: empty flags", 30)
+		return {} 
+	end
+	
+	
+	local flags = {}
+	local rawElements = dcsCommon.splitString(inString, ",")
+	-- go over all elements 
+	for idx, anElement in pairs(rawElements) do 
+		if dcsCommon.stringStartsWithDigit(anElement) and  dcsCommon.containsString(anElement, "-") then 
+			-- interpret this as a range
+			local theRange = dcsCommon.splitString(anElement, "-")
+			local lowerBound = theRange[1]
+			lowerBound = tonumber(lowerBound)
+			local upperBound = theRange[2]
+			upperBound = tonumber(upperBound)
+			if lowerBound and upperBound then
+				-- swap if wrong order
+				if lowerBound > upperBound then 
+					local temp = upperBound
+					upperBound = lowerBound
+					lowerBound = temp 
+				end
+				-- now add add numbers to flags
+				for f=lowerBound, upperBound do 
+					table.insert(flags, f)
+
+				end
+			else
+				-- bounds illegal
+				trigger.action.outText("+++flagArray: ignored range <" .. anElement .. "> (range)", 30)
+			end
+		else
+			-- single number
+			f = dcsCommon.trim(anElement) -- DML flag upgrade: accept strings tonumber(anElement)
+			if f then 
+				table.insert(flags, f)
+
+			else 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++flagArray: ignored element <" .. anElement .. "> (single)", 30)
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	if verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++flagArray: <" .. #flags .. "> flags total", 30)
+	end 
+	return flags
+end
 --
 --
 -- INIT

modules/delicates.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 delicates = {}
-delicates.version = "1.0.0"
+delicates.version = "1.1.0"
 delicates.verbose = false 
 delicates.ups = 1 
 delicates.requiredLibs = {
@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ delicates.inventory = {}
 --[[--
 	Version History 
 	1.0.0 - initial version 
+	1.1.0 - better synonym handling for f! and out!
+	      - addStaticObjectInventoryForZone
+		  - blowAll?
+		  - safetyMargin - safety margin. defaults to 10%
+	
 	
 --]]--
 function delicates.adddDelicates(theZone)
@@ -68,7 +73,7 @@ function delicates.makeZoneInventory(theZone)
 			for idy, anObject in pairs(collector) do
 				local oName = anObject:getName()
 				if type(oName) == 'number' then oName = tostring(oName) end
-				local oLife = anObject:getLife()
+				local oLife = anObject:getLife() - anObject:getLife() * theZone.safetyMargin
 				if theZone.verbose or delicates.verbose then
 					trigger.action.outText("+++deli: cat=".. aCat .. ":<" .. oName .. "> Life=" .. oLife, 30)
 				end 
@@ -91,25 +96,47 @@ function delicates.makeZoneInventory(theZone)
 	end
 end
 
+function delicates.addStaticObjectToInventoryForZone(theZone, theStatic)
+	if not theZone then return end 
+	if not theStatic then return end 
+	
+	local desc = {}
+	desc.cat = theStatic:getCategory()
+	desc.oLife = theStatic:getLife() - theStatic:getLife() * theZone.safetyMargin
+	if desc.oLife < 0 then desc.oLife = 0 end 
+	desc.theZone = theZone 
+	desc.oName = theStatic:getName() 
+	delicates.inventory[desc.oName] = desc
+	
+	if theZone.verbose or delicates.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++deli: added static <" .. desc.oName .. "> to <" .. theZone.name .. "> with minimal life = <" .. desc.oLife .. "/" .. theStatic:getLife() .. "> = safety margin of " .. theZone.safetyMargin * 100 .. "%", 30)
+	end 
+end 
+
 function delicates.createDelicatesWithZone(theZone)
 	theZone.power = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "power", 10)
 	
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "delicatesHit!") then
 		theZone.delicateHit = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "delicatesHit!", "*<none>")
-	end 
+	elseif cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "f!") then
-	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "f!") then
 		theZone.delicateHit = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "f!", "*<none>")
-	end
+	elseif cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "out!") then
-	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "out!") then
 		theZone.delicateHit = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "out!", "*<none>")
 	end
 	
+	-- safety margin
+	theZone.safetyMargin = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "safetyMargin", 0)
+	
 	-- DML Method 
 	theZone.delicateHitMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "method", "inc")
 	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "delicateMethod") then 
 		theZone.delicateHitMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "delicatesMethod", "inc")
 	end
 	
+	theZone.delicateTriggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "thriggerMethod", "change")
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "delicateTriggerMethod") then 
+		theZone.delicateTriggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "delicatesMethod", "change")
+	end
 	
 	theZone.delicateRemove = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "remove", true)
 	
@@ -117,6 +144,11 @@ function delicates.createDelicatesWithZone(theZone)
 	-- may want to filter by objects, can be passed in delicates
 	delicates.makeZoneInventory(theZone) 
 	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "blowAll?") then 
+		theZone.blowAll = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "blowAll?", "*<none>")
+		theZone.lastBlowAll = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.blowAll, theZone)
+	end
+	
 	if delicates.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
 		trigger.action.outText("+++deli: new delicates zone <".. theZone.name ..">", 30)
 	end
@@ -185,14 +217,42 @@ function delicates:onEvent(theEvent)
 	local oName = theObj:getName()
 	local desc = delicates.inventory[oName]
 	if desc then 
---		trigger.action.outText("+++deli: REGISTERED HIT -- removing!", 30)
+		-- see if damage exceeds maximum 
-		delicates.blowUpObject(desc)
+		local cLife = theObj:getLife()
-		-- remove it from further searches
+		if cLife < desc.oLife then
-		delicates.inventory[oName] = nil 
+			if desc.theZone.verbose or delicates.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++deli: BRITTLE TRIGGER: life <" .. cLife .. "> below safety margin <" .. oDesc.oLife .. ">", 30)
+			end
+			delicates.blowUpObject(desc)
+			-- remove it from further searches
+			delicates.inventory[oName] = nil
+		else 
+			if desc.theZone.verbose or delicates.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++deli: CLOSE CALL, but life <" .. cLife .. "> within safety margin <" .. oDesc.oLife .. ">", 30)
+			end
+		end
 	end
 		
---	trigger.action.outText("+++deli: we hit " .. oName, 30)
+end
 
+--
+-- blow entire zone 
+--
+function delicates.blowZone(theZone)
+	if not theZone then return end 
+	local zName = theZone.name 
+	local newInventory = {}
+	local delay = 0.7
+	for oName, oDesc in pairs (delicates.inventory) do 
+		if oDesc.theZone.name == zName then 
+			delicates.blowUpObject(oDesc, delay)
+			delay = delay + 0.2 -- stagger explosions
+		else 
+			newInventory[oName] = oDesc
+		end
+	end
+
+	delicates.inventory = newInventory
 end
 
 --
@@ -228,12 +288,12 @@ function delicates.update()
 		if theObj then 
 			local cLife = theObj:getLife()
 			if cLife >= oDesc.oLife then 
-				-- transfer to next iter 
+				-- all well, transfer to next iter 
 				newInventory[oName] = oDesc
 			else 
-				-- blow stuff up 
+				-- health beneath min. blow stuff up 
 				if oDesc.theZone.verbose or delicates.verbose then
-					trigger.action.outText(oName .. " was hit, will blow up, new health is at " .. oDesc.oLife .. ".", 30)
+					trigger.action.outText(oName .. " was hit, will blow up, current health is <" .. cLife .. ">, min health was " .. oDesc.oLife .. ".", 30)
 				end 
 				delicates.blowUpObject(oDesc)
 			end
@@ -245,6 +305,13 @@ function delicates.update()
 		end
 	end
 	delicates.inventory = newInventory
+	
+	-- now scan all zones for signals 
+	for idx, theZone in pairs(delicates.theDelicates) do 
+		if theZone.blowAll and cfxZones.testZoneFlag(theZone, theZone.blowAll, theZone.delicateTriggerMethod, "lastBlowAll") then 
+			delicates.blowZone(theZone)
+		end
+	end
 end
 
 --

modules/impostors.lua

@@ -566,5 +566,5 @@ end
 To do
 - reset? flag: will reset all to MX locationS
 - add a zone's follow ability to impostors by allowing linkedUnit to work with impostors 
-
+- impostor on idle option. when task of group goes to idle, the group turns into impostors 
 --]]--

modules/persistence.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,584 @@
+persistence = {}
+persistence.version = "1.0.0"
+persistence.ups = 1 -- once every 1 seconds 
+persistence.verbose = false 
+persistence.active = false 
+persistence.saveFileName = nil -- "mission data.txt"
+persistence.sharedDir = nil -- not yet implemented
+persistence.missionDir = nil -- set at start 
+persistence.saveDir = nil -- set at start 
+
+persistence.missionData = {} -- loaded from file 
+persistence.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+}
+--[[--
+	Version History 
+	1.0.0 - initial version
+	
+	PROVIDES LOAD/SAVE ABILITY TO MODULES
+	PROVIDES STANDALONE/HOSTED SERVER COMPATIOBILITY
+	
+--]]--
+
+-- in order to work, Host must desanitize lfs and io 
+-- only works when run as server 
+
+--
+-- flags to save. can be added to by saveFlags attribute 
+--
+persistence.flagsToSave = {} -- simple table 
+persistence.callbacks = {} -- cbblocks, dictionary
+
+
+--
+-- modules register here
+--
+function persistence.registerModule(name, callbacks)
+	-- callbacks is a table with the following entries
+	-- callbacks.persistData - method that returns a table
+	-- note that name is also what the data is saved under
+	-- and must be the one given when you retrieve it later
+	persistence.callbacks[name] = callbacks
+	if persistence.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: module <" .. name .. "> registred itself", 30)
+	end
+end
+
+function persistence.registerFlagsToSave(flagNames, theZone)
+	-- name can be single flag name or anything that 
+	-- a zone definition has to offer, including local 
+	-- flags. 
+    -- flags can be passed like this: "a, 4-19, 99, kills, *lcl"
+	-- if you pass a local flag, you must pass the zone 
+	-- or "persisTEMP" will be used 
+	
+	if not theZone then theZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone("persisTEMP") end 
+	local newFlags = dcsCommon.flagArrayFromString(flagNames, persistence.verbose)
+	
+	-- mow process all new flags and add them to the list of flags 
+	-- to save 
+	for idx, flagName in pairs(newFlags) do 
+		if dcsCommon.stringStartsWith(flagName, "*") then 
+			flagName = theZone.name .. flagName 
+		end
+		table.insert(persistence.flagsToSave, flagName)
+	end
+end
+--
+-- registered modules call this to get their data 
+--
+function persistence.getSavedDataForModule(name)
+	if not persistence.active then return nil end 
+	if not persistence.hasData then return nil end 
+	if not persistence.missionData then return end 
+	
+	return persistence.missionData[name] -- simply get the modules data block
+end
+
+
+--
+-- Shared Data API 
+--
+function persistence.getSharedDataFor(name, item) -- not yet finalized
+end
+
+function persistence.putSharedDataFor(data, name, item) -- not yet finalized
+end
+
+--
+-- helper meths
+--
+
+function persistence.hasFile(path) --check if file exists at path
+-- will also return true for a directory, follow up with isDir 
+
+    local attr = lfs.attributes(path) 
+	if attr then
+		return true, attr.mode
+	end 
+	
+	if persistence.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("isFile: attributes not found for <" .. path .. ">", 30)
+	end 
+	
+	return false, "<err>"
+end
+
+function persistence.isDir(path) -- check if path is a directory
+	local success, mode = persistence.hasFile(path)
+	if success then 
+		success = (mode == "directory")
+	end
+	return success
+end
+
+
+--
+-- Main save meths
+--
+function persistence.saveText(theString, fileName, shared, append)
+	if not persistence.active then return false end 
+	if not fileName then return false end 
+	if not shared then shared = flase end 
+	if not theString then theString = "" end 
+	
+	local path = persistence.missionDir .. fileName
+	if shared then 
+		-- we would now change the path
+		trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: NYI: shared", 30)
+		return 
+	end
+
+	local theFile = nil 
+	
+	if append then 
+		theFile = io.open(path, "a")
+	else 
+		theFile = io.open(path, "w")
+	end
+
+	if not theFile then 
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	theFile:write(theString)
+	
+	theFile:close()
+	
+	return true 
+end
+
+function persistence.saveTable(theTable, fileName, shared, append)
+	if not persistence.active then return false end 
+	if not fileName then return false end
+	if not theTable then return false end 
+	if not shared then shared = false end 
+	
+	local theString = net.lua2json(theTable)
+	
+	if not theString then theString = "" end 
+	
+	local path = persistence.missionDir .. fileName
+	if shared then 
+		-- we would now change the path
+		trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: NYI: shared", 30)
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	local theFile = nil 
+	
+	if append then 
+		theFile = io.open(path, "a")
+	else 
+		theFile = io.open(path, "w")
+	end
+
+	if not theFile then 
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	theFile:write(theString)
+	
+	theFile:close()
+	
+	return true 
+end
+
+
+function persistence.loadText(fileName) -- load file as text
+	if not persistence.active then return nil end 
+	if not fileName then return nil end
+	
+	local path = persistence.missionDir .. fileName
+	local theFile = io.open(path, "r") 
+	if not theFile then return nil end
+	
+	local t = theFile:read("*a")
+	
+	theFile:close()
+	
+	return t
+end
+
+function persistence.loadTable(fileName) -- load file as table 
+	if not persistence.active then return nil end 
+	if not fileName then return nil end
+
+	local t = persistence.loadText(fileName)
+	
+	if not t then return nil end 
+	
+	local tab = net.json2lua(t)
+
+	return tab
+end
+
+
+
+--
+-- Data Load on Start
+--
+function persistence.initFlagsFromData(theFlags)
+	-- assumes that theFlags is a dictionary containing 
+	-- flag names 
+	local flagLog = ""
+	local flagCount = 0
+	for flagName, value in pairs(theFlags) do 
+		local val = tonumber(value) -- ensure number 
+		if not val then val = 0 end 
+		trigger.action.setUserFlag(flagName, val)
+		if flagLog ~= "" then 
+			flagLog = flagLog .. ", " .. flagName .. "=" .. val 
+		else 
+			flagLog = flagName .. "=" .. val 
+		end
+		flagCount = flagCount + 1
+	end 
+	if persistence.verbose and flagCount > 0 then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: loaded " .. flagCount .. " flags from storage:\n" .. flagLog .. "", 30)
+	elseif persistence.verbose then
+		trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: no flags loaded, commencing mission data load", 30)
+	end	
+	
+	
+end
+
+function persistence.missionStartDataLoad()
+	-- check one: see if we have mission data 
+	local theData = persistence.loadTable(persistence.saveFileName)
+	
+	if not theData then 
+		if persistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: no saved data, fresh start.", 30)
+		end
+		return 
+	end -- there was no data to load
+	
+	if theData["freshMaker"] then 
+		if persistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: detected fresh start.", 30)
+		end
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	-- when we get here, we got at least some data. check it 
+	if theData["versionID"] or persistence.versionID then 
+		local vid = theData.versionID -- note: either may be nil!
+		if vid ~= persistence.versionID then 
+			-- we pretend load never happened.
+			-- simply return
+			if persistence.verbose then 
+				local curvid = persistence.versionID
+				if not curvid then curvid = "<NIL>" end 
+				if not vid then vid = "<NIL>" end 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: version mismatch\n(saved = <" .. vid .. "> vs current = <" .. curvid .. ">) - fresh start.", 30)
+			end
+			return 
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- we have valid data, and modules, after signing up 
+	-- can init from by data 
+	persistence.missionData = theData
+	persistence.hasData = true 
+	
+	-- init my flags from last save 
+	local theFlags = theData["persistence.flagData"]
+	if theFlags then 
+		persistence.initFlagsFromData(theFlags)
+	end
+	
+	-- we are done for now. modules check in 
+	-- after persistence and load their own data 
+	-- when they detect that there is data to load 
+	if persistence.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: basic import complete.", 30)
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- MAIN DATA WRITE
+--
+function persistence.collectFlagData()
+	local flagData = {}
+	for idx, flagName in pairs (persistence.flagsToSave) do 
+		local theNum = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(flagName)
+		flagData[flagName] = theNum
+
+	end
+	return flagData
+end
+
+function persistence.saveMissionData()
+	local myData = {}
+
+	-- first, handle versionID and freshMaker
+	if persistence.freshMaker then 
+		myData["freshMaker"] = true 
+	end
+	
+	if persistence.versionID then 
+		myData["versionID"] = persistence.versionID 
+	end
+		
+	-- now handle flags 
+	myData["persistence.flagData"] = persistence.collectFlagData()
+	
+	-- now handle all other modules 
+	for moduleName, callbacks in pairs(persistence.callbacks) do
+		local moduleData = callbacks.persistData()
+		if moduleData then 
+			myData[moduleName] = moduleData
+			if persistence.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: gathered data from <" .. moduleName .. ">", 30)
+			end
+		end 
+	end
+	
+	-- now save data to file 
+	persistence.saveTable(myData, persistence.saveFileName)
+end
+
+--
+-- UPDATE 
+--
+function persistence.doSaveMission()
+	-- main save entry, also from API 
+	if persistence.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: starting save", 30)
+	end
+	
+	if persistence.active then 
+		persistence.saveMissionData()
+	else 
+		if persistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: not actice. skipping save", 30)
+		end
+		return 
+	end 
+	
+	if persistence.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: mission saved", 30)
+	end
+end
+
+function persistence.noteCleanRestart()
+	persistence.freshMaker = true 
+	persistence.doSaveMission()
+	trigger.action.outText("\n\nYou can re-start the mission for a fresh start.\n\n",30)
+	
+end
+
+function persistence.update()
+	-- call me in a second to poll triggers
+	timer.scheduleFunction(persistence.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/persistence.ups)
+	
+	-- check my trigger flag 
+	if persistence.saveMission and cfxZones.testZoneFlag(persistence, persistence.saveMission, "change", "lastSaveMission") then 
+		persistence.doSaveMission()
+	end
+	
+	if persistence.cleanRestart and cfxZones.testZoneFlag(persistence, persistence.cleanRestart, "change", "lastCleanRestart") then 
+		persistence.noteCleanRestart()
+	end
+	
+	-- check my timer 
+	if persistence.saveTime and persistence.saveTime < timer.getTime() then 
+		persistence.doSaveMission()
+		-- start next cycle 
+		persistence.saveTime = persistence.saveInterval * 60 + timer.getTime()
+	end
+end
+--
+-- config & start 
+--
+
+function persistence.collectFlagsFromZone(theZone)
+	local theFlags = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "saveFlags", "*dummy")
+	persistence.registerFlagsToSave(theFlags, theZone)
+end
+
+function persistence.readConfigZone()
+	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("persistenceConfig") 
+	local hasConfig = true
+	if not theZone then 
+		hasConfig = false 
+		theZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone("persistenceConfig")
+	end 
+	
+	-- serverDir is the path from the server save directory, usually "Missions/".
+    -- will be added to lfs.writedir(). 	
+	persistence.serverDir = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "serverDir", "Missions\\")
+
+	if hasConfig then 
+		if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "saveDir")	then 
+			persistence.saveDir = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "saveDir", "")
+		else 
+			-- local missname = net.dostring_in("gui", "return DCS.getMissionName()") .. " (data)"
+			persistence.saveDir = dcsCommon.getMissionName() .. " (data)"
+		end
+	else 
+		persistence.saveDir = "" -- save dir is to main mission 
+		-- so that when no config is present (standalone debugger)
+		-- this will not cause a separate save folder 
+	end
+	
+	if persistence.saveDir == "" and persistence.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("*** WARNING: persistence is set to write to main mission directory!", 30)
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "saveFileName") then 
+		persistence.saveFileName = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "saveFileName", dcsCommon.getMissionName() .. " Data.txt")
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "versionID") then
+		persistence.versionID = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "versionID", "") -- to check for full restart 
+	end 
+	
+	persistence.saveInterval = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "saveInterval", -1) -- default to manual save
+	if persistence.saveInterval > 0 then 
+		persistence.saveTime = persistence.saveInterval * 60 + timer.getTime()
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "cleanRestart?") then 
+		persistence.cleanRestart = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "cleanRestart?", "*<none>")
+		persistence.lastCleanRestart = cfxZones.getFlagValue(persistence.cleanRestart, theZone)
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "saveMission?") then 
+		persistence.saveMission = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "saveMission?", "*<none>")
+		persistence.lastSaveMission = cfxZones.getFlagValue(persistence.saveMission, theZone)
+	end
+	
+	persistence.verbose = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "verbose", false)
+	
+	if persistence.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: read config", 30)
+	end 
+	
+end
+
+function persistence.start()
+	-- lib check 
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck then 
+		trigger.action.outText("persistence requires dcsCommon", 30)
+		return false 
+	end 
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("persistence", persistence.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+	
+	-- read config 
+	persistence.saveFileName = dcsCommon.getMissionName() .. " Data.txt"
+	persistence.readConfigZone()
+	
+	-- let's see it lfs and io are online 
+	persistence.active = false 
+	if not _G["lfs"] then 
+		if persistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++persistence requires 'lfs'", 30)
+			return false
+		end
+	end
+	if not _G["io"] then 
+		if persistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++persistence requires 'io'", 30)
+			return false
+		end
+	end
+	
+	local mainDir = lfs.writedir() .. persistence.serverDir
+	if not dcsCommon.stringEndsWith(mainDir, "\\") then 
+		mainDir = mainDir .. "\\"
+	end
+	-- lets see if we can access the server's mission directory and 
+	-- save directory 
+	-- we first try to access server's main mission directory, called "mainDir" which is usually <writeDir>/Missions/>
+	
+	if persistence.isDir(mainDir) then 
+		if persistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("persistence: main dir is <" .. mainDir .. ">", 30)
+		end
+	else 
+		if persistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: Main directory <" .. mainDir .. "> not found or not a directory", 30)
+		end 
+		return false 
+	end	
+	persistence.mainDir = mainDir
+
+	local missionDir = mainDir .. persistence.saveDir
+	if not dcsCommon.stringEndsWith(missionDir, "\\") then 
+		missionDir = missionDir .. "\\"
+	end
+	
+	-- check if mission dir exists already 
+	local success, mode = persistence.hasFile(missionDir)
+	if success and mode == "directory" then 
+		-- has been allocated, and is dir
+		if persistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: saving mission data to <" .. missionDir .. ">", 30)
+		end
+	elseif success then 
+		if persistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: <" .. missionDir .. "> is not a directory", 30)
+		end
+		return false 
+	else 
+		-- does not exist, try to allocate it
+		if persistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: will now create <" .. missionDir .. ">", 30)
+		end		
+		local ok, mkErr = lfs.mkdir(missionDir)
+		if not ok then 
+			if persistence.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: unable to create <" .. missionDir .. ">: <" .. mkErr .. ">", 30)
+			end
+			return false
+		end
+		if persistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++persistence: created <" .. missionDir .. "> successfully, will save mission data here", 30)
+		end 
+	end
+	
+	persistence.missionDir = missionDir
+	
+	persistence.active = true -- we can load and save data 
+    persistence.hasData = false -- we do not have save data 
+	
+	-- from here on we can read and write files in the missionDir 	
+	-- read persistence attributes from all zones 
+	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("saveFlags")
+	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
+		persistence.collectFlagsFromZone(aZone) -- process attributes
+		-- we do not retain the zone, it's job is done
+	end
+
+	if persistence.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++persistence is active", 30)
+	end	
+	
+	-- we now see if we can and need load data 
+	persistence.missionStartDataLoad()
+	
+	-- and start updating 
+	persistence.update()
+	
+	
+	return persistence.active 
+end
+
+--
+-- go!
+--
+
+if not persistence.start() then 
+	if persistence.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++ persistence not available", 30)
+	end
+	-- we do NOT remove the methods so we don't crash 
+end
+
+-- add zones for saveFlags so authors can easily save flag values 

modules/radioMenus.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 radioMenu = {}
-radioMenu.version = "1.0.1"
+radioMenu.version = "1.1.0"
 radioMenu.verbose = false 
 radioMenu.ups = 1 
 radioMenu.requiredLibs = {
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ radioMenu.menus = {}
 	Version History 
 	1.0.0 Initial version 
 	1.0.1 spelling corrections
+	1.1.0 removeMenu 
+	      addMenu 
+		  menuVisible 
 	
 --]]--
 function radioMenu.addRadioMenu(theZone)
@@ -32,17 +35,60 @@ end
 --
 -- read zone 
 -- 
+function radioMenu.installMenu(theZone)
+	if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+		theZone.rootMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenu(theZone.rootName, nil) 
+	else 
+		theZone.rootMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenuForCoalition(theZone.coalition, theZone.rootName, nil) 
+	end
+	
+	local menuA = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "itemA", "<no A submenu>")
+	if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+		theZone.menuA = missionCommands.addCommand(menuA, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "A"})
+	else 
+		theZone.menuA = missionCommands.addCommandForCoalition(theZone.coalition, menuA, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "A"})
+	end 
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "itemB") then 
+		local menuB = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "itemB", "<no B submenu>")
+		if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+			theZone.menuB = missionCommands.addCommand(menuB, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "B"})
+		else 
+			theZone.menuB = missionCommands.addCommandForCoalition(theZone.coalition, menuB, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "B"})
+		end
+	end
+
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "itemC") then 
+		local menuC = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "itemC", "<no C submenu>")
+		if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+			theZone.menuC = missionCommands.addCommand(menuC, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "C"})
+		else 
+			theZone.menuC = missionCommands.addCommandForCoalition(theZone.coalition, menuC, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "C"})
+		end
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "itemD") then 
+		local menuD = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "itemD", "<no D submenu>")
+		if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+			theZone.menuD = missionCommands.addCommand(menuD, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "D"})
+		else 
+			theZone.menuD = missionCommands.addCommandForCoalition(theZone.coalition, menuD, theZone.rootMenu, radioMenu.redirectMenuX, {theZone, "D"})
+		end
+	end
+end
+
 function radioMenu.createRadioMenuWithZone(theZone)
-	local rootName = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "radioMenu", "<No Name>")
+	theZone.rootName = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "radioMenu", "<No Name>")
 	
 	theZone.coalition = cfxZones.getCoalitionFromZoneProperty(theZone, "coalition", 0)
 	
-	if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+	theZone.menuVisible = cfxZones.getBoolFromZoneProperty(theZone, "menuVisible", true)
-		theZone.rootMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenu(rootName, nil) 
-	else 
-		theZone.rootMenu = missionCommands.addSubMenuForCoalition(theZone.coalition, rootName, nil) 
-	end
 	
+	-- install menu if not hidden
+	if theZone.menuVisible then 
+		radioMenu.installMenu(theZone)
+	end
+	--[[--
 	-- now do the two options
 	local menuA = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "itemA", "<no A submenu>")
 	if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
@@ -78,6 +124,7 @@ function radioMenu.createRadioMenuWithZone(theZone)
 		end
 	end
 	
+	--]]--
 	
 	-- get the triggers & methods here 
 	theZone.radioMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "method", "inc")
@@ -85,6 +132,8 @@ function radioMenu.createRadioMenuWithZone(theZone)
 		theZone.radioMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "radioMethod", "inc")
 	end
 	
+	theZone.radioTriggerMethod = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "radioTriggerMethod", "change")
+	
 	theZone.itemAChosen = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "A!", "*<none>")
 	theZone.cooldownA = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "cooldownA", 0)
 	theZone.mcdA = 0
@@ -105,6 +154,16 @@ function radioMenu.createRadioMenuWithZone(theZone)
 	theZone.mcdD = 0
 	theZone.busyD = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "busyD", "Please stand by (<s> seconds)")
 	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "removeMenu?") then 
+		theZone.removeMenu = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "removeMenu?", "*<none>")
+		theZone.lastRemoveMenu = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.removeMenu, theZone)
+	end
+	
+	if cfxZones.hasProperty(theZone, "addMenu?") then 
+		theZone.addMenu = cfxZones.getStringFromZoneProperty(theZone, "addMenu?", "*<none>")
+		theZone.lastAddMenu = cfxZones.getFlagValue(theZone.addMenu, theZone)
+	end
+	
 	if radioMenu.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
 		trigger.action.outText("+++radioMenu: new radioMenu zone <".. theZone.name ..">", 30)
 	end
@@ -189,13 +248,44 @@ end
 --
 -- Update -- required when we can enable/disable a zone's menu
 --
---[[--
+
 function radioMenu.update()
 	-- call me in a second to poll triggers
 	timer.scheduleFunction(radioMenu.update, {}, timer.getTime() + 1/radioMenu.ups)
 	
+	-- iterate all menus
+	for idx, theZone in pairs(radioMenu.menus) do 
+		if theZone.removeMenu 
+		and cfxZones.testZoneFlag(theZone, theZone.removeMenu, theZone.radioTriggerMethod, "lastRemoveMenu") 
+		and theZone.menuVisible
+		then 
+			if theZone.verbose or radioMenu.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++menu: removing <" .. dcsCommon.menu2text(theZone.rootMenu) .. "> for <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
+			end 
+			
+			if theZone.coalition == 0 then 
+				missionCommands.removeItem(theZone.rootMenu) 
+			else 
+				missionCommands.removeItemForCoalition(theZone.coalition, theZone.rootMenu) 
+			end
+			
+			theZone.menuVisible = false 
+		end
+		
+		if theZone.addMenu 
+		and cfxZones.testZoneFlag(theZone, theZone.addMenu, theZone.radioTriggerMethod, "lastAddMenu") 
+		and (not theZone.menuVisible)
+		then 
+			if theZone.verbose or radioMenu.verbose then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++menu: adding menu from <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
+			end 
+			
+			radioMenu.installMenu(theZone) -- auto-handles coalition
+			theZone.menuVisible = true 
+		end
+	end
 end
---]]--
+
 
 --
 -- Config & Start
@@ -238,7 +328,7 @@ function radioMenu.start()
 	end
 	
 	-- start update 
-	--radioMenu.update()
+	radioMenu.update()
 	
 	trigger.action.outText("cfx radioMenu v" .. radioMenu.version .. " started.", 30)
 	return true 
@@ -251,7 +341,5 @@ if not radioMenu.start() then
 end
 
 --[[--
-	to do: turn on/off via flags
 	callbacks for the menus 
-	one-shot items 
 --]]--

modules/theDebugger.lua

@@ -1,13 +1,15 @@
 -- theDebugger 
 debugger = {}
-debugger.version = "1.0.1"
+debugger.version = "1.1.1"
 debugDemon = {}
-debugDemon.version = "1.0.0"
+debugDemon.version = "1.1.1"
 
 debugger.verbose = false 
 debugger.ups = 4 -- every 0.25 second  
 debugger.name = "DML Debugger" -- for compliance with cfxZones 
 
+debugger.log = ""
+
 --[[--
 	Version History
 	1.0.0 - Initial version
@@ -15,14 +17,67 @@ debugger.name = "DML Debugger" -- for compliance with cfxZones
 	      - changed 'on' to 'active' in config zone 
 		  - merged debugger and debugDemon
 		  - QoL check for 'debug' attribute (no '?')
-	1.0.2 - contested! flag 
+	1.1.0 - logging 
+	      - trigger.action --> debugger for outText 
+		  - persistence of logs
+		  - save <name>
+	1.1.1 - warning when trying to set a flag to a non-int
+		  
+ 
 --]]--
 
 debugger.requiredLibs = {
 	"dcsCommon", -- always
 	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
 }
+-- note: saving logs requires persistence module 
+-- will auto-abort saving if not present 
+
+
 debugger.debugZones = {}
+debugger.debugUnits = {}
+debugger.debugGroups = {}
+debugger.debugObjects = {}
+
+--
+-- Logging & saving 
+--
+
+function debugger.outText(message, seconds, cls)
+	if not message then message = "" end 
+	if not seconds then seconds = 20 end 
+	if not cls then cls = false end 
+	
+	-- append message to log, and add a lf
+	if not debugger.log then debugger.log = "" end 
+	debugger.log = debugger.log .. message .. "\n"
+	
+	-- now hand up to trigger 
+	trigger.action.outText(message, seconds, cls)
+end
+
+function debugger.saveLog(name)
+	if not _G["persistence"] then 
+		debugger.outText("+++debug: persistence module required to save log")
+		return
+	end
+	
+	if not persistence.active then 
+		debugger.outText("+++debug: persistence module can't write. ensur you desanitize lfs and io")
+		return 
+	end
+	
+	if persistence.saveText(debugger.log, name) then 
+		debugger.outText("+++debug: log saved to <" .. persistence.missionDir .. name .. ">")
+	else 
+		debugger.outText("+++debug: unable to save log to <" .. persistence.missionDir .. name .. ">")
+	end
+end
+
+
+--
+-- tracking flags 
+--
 
 function debugger.addDebugger(theZone)
 	table.insert(debugger.debugZones, theZone)
@@ -33,7 +88,7 @@ function debugger.getDebuggerByName(aName)
 		if aName == aZone.name then return aZone end 
 	end
 	if debugger.verbose then 
-		trigger.action.outText("+++debug: no debug zone with name <" .. aName ..">", 30)
+		debugger.outText("+++debug: no debug zone with name <" .. aName ..">", 30)
 	end 
 	
 	return nil 
@@ -65,7 +120,7 @@ function debugger.createDebuggerWithZone(theZone)
 	
 	-- say who we are and what we are monitoring
 	if debugger.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
-		trigger.action.outText("---debug: adding zone <".. theZone.name .."> to look for <value " .. theZone.debugInputMethod .. "> in flag(s):", 30)
+		debugger.outText("---debug: adding zone <".. theZone.name .."> to look for <value " .. theZone.debugInputMethod .. "> in flag(s):", 30)
 	end
 	
 	-- read main debug array
@@ -77,7 +132,7 @@ function debugger.createDebuggerWithZone(theZone)
 	for idx, aFlag in pairs(flagArray) do 
 		local fVal = cfxZones.getFlagValue(aFlag, theZone)
 		if debugger.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
-			trigger.action.outText("    monitoring flag <" .. aFlag .. ">, inital value is <" .. fVal .. ">", 30)
+			debugger.outText("    monitoring flag <" .. aFlag .. ">, inital value is <" .. fVal .. ">", 30)
 		end
 		valueArray[aFlag] = fVal
 	end
@@ -226,7 +281,7 @@ function debugger.debugZone(theZone)
 			-- generate the ouput message
 			local msg = theZone.debugMsg
 			msg = debugger.processDebugMsg(msg, theZone, aFlag, oldVal, newValue)
-			trigger.action.outText(msg, 30)
+			debugger.outText(msg, 30)
 		end
 	end
 
@@ -239,7 +294,7 @@ function debugger.resetObserver(theZone)
 	for idf, aFlag in pairs(theZone.flagArray) do 
 		local fVal = cfxZones.getFlagValue(aFlag, theZone)
 		if debugger.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
-			trigger.action.outText("---debug: resetting flag <" .. aFlag .. ">, to <" .. fVal .. "> for zone <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
+			debugger.outText("---debug: resetting flag <" .. aFlag .. ">, to <" .. fVal .. "> for zone <" .. theZone.name .. ">", 30)
 		end
 		theZone.valueArray[aFlag] = fVal
 	end	
@@ -256,39 +311,39 @@ function debugger.showObserverState(theZone)
 	for idf, aFlag in pairs(theZone.flagArray) do 
 		local fVal = cfxZones.getFlagValue(aFlag, theZone)
 		if debugger.verbose or theZone.verbose then 
-			trigger.action.outText("     state of flag <" .. aFlag .. ">: <" .. theZone.valueArray[aFlag] .. ">", 30)
+			debugger.outText("     state of flag <" .. aFlag .. ">: <" .. theZone.valueArray[aFlag] .. ">", 30)
 		end
 		theZone.valueArray[aFlag] = fVal
 	end
 end
 
 function debugger.showState()
-	trigger.action.outText("---debug: CURRENT STATE <" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "> --- ", 30)
+	debugger.outText("---debug: CURRENT STATE <" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "> --- ", 30)
 	for idx, theZone in pairs(debugger.debugZones) do
 		-- show this zone's state
 		if #theZone.flagArray > 0 then 
-			trigger.action.outText("   state of observer <" .. theZone.name .. "> looking for <value " .. theZone.debugInputMethod .. ">:", 30)
+			debugger.outText("   state of observer <" .. theZone.name .. "> looking for <value " .. theZone.debugInputMethod .. ">:", 30)
 			debugger.showObserverState(theZone)
 		else 
 			if theZone.verbose or debugger.verbose then 
-				trigger.action.outText("   (empty observer <" .. theZone.name .. ">)", 30)
+				debugger.outText("   (empty observer <" .. theZone.name .. ">)", 30)
 			end
 		end
 	end
-	trigger.action.outText("---debug: end of state --- ", 30)
+	debugger.outText("---debug: end of state --- ", 30)
 end
 
 function debugger.doActivate()
 	debugger.active = true
 	if debugger.verbose or true then 
-		trigger.action.outText("+++ DM Debugger is now active", 30)
+		debugger.outText("+++ DM Debugger is now active", 30)
 	end 
 end
 
 function debugger.doDeactivate()
 	debugger.active = false
 	if debugger.verbose or true then 
-		trigger.action.outText("+++ debugger deactivated", 30)
+		debugger.outText("+++ debugger deactivated", 30)
 	end 
 end
 
@@ -339,7 +394,7 @@ function debugger.readConfigZone()
 	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("debuggerConfig") 
 	if not theZone then 
 		if debugger.verbose then 
-			trigger.action.outText("+++debug: NO config zone!", 30)
+			debugger.outText("+++debug: NO config zone!", 30)
 		end 
 		theZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone("debuggerConfig") 
 	end 
@@ -371,7 +426,7 @@ function debugger.readConfigZone()
 	debugger.ups = cfxZones.getNumberFromZoneProperty(theZone, "ups", 4)
 	
 	if debugger.verbose then 
-		trigger.action.outText("+++debug: read config", 30)
+		debugger.outText("+++debug: read config", 30)
 	end 
 end
 
@@ -398,22 +453,22 @@ function debugger.start()
 	
 	local attrZones = cfxZones.getZonesWithAttributeNamed("debug")
 	for k, aZone in pairs(attrZones) do 
-		trigger.action.outText("***Warning: Zone <" .. aZone.name .. "> has a 'debug' flag. Are you perhaps missing a '?'", 30)
+		debugger.outText("***Warning: Zone <" .. aZone.name .. "> has a 'debug' flag. Are you perhaps missing a '?'", 30)
 	end
 	
 	-- say if we are active
 	if debugger.verbose then 
 		if debugger.active then 
-			trigger.action.outText("+++debugger loaded and active", 30)
+			debugger.outText("+++debugger loaded and active", 30)
 		else 
-			trigger.action.outText("+++ debugger: standing by for activation", 30)
+			debugger.outText("+++ debugger: standing by for activation", 30)
 		end
 	end
 	
 	-- start update 
 	debugger.update()
 	
-	trigger.action.outText("cfx debugger v" .. debugger.version .. " started.", 30)
+	debugger.outText("cfx debugger v" .. debugger.version .. " started.", 30)
 	return true 
 end
 
@@ -441,6 +496,7 @@ debugDemon.verbose = false
 --[[--
 	Version History
 	1.0.0 - initial version 
+	1.1.0 - save command, requires persistence
 	
 --]]--
 
@@ -559,7 +615,7 @@ function debugDemon.executeCommand(theCommands, event)
 		local success = theInvoker(arguments, event)
 		return success
 	else 
-		trigger.action.outText("***error: unknown command <".. cmd .. ">", 30)
+		debugger.outText("***error: unknown command <".. cmd .. ">", 30)
 		return false
 	end
 	
@@ -592,7 +648,7 @@ end
 -- COMMANDS
 --
 function debugDemon.processHelpCommand(args, event)
-trigger.action.outText("*** debugger: commands are:" ..
+debugger.outText("*** debugger: commands are:" ..
 	"\n  " .. debugDemon.markOfDemon .. "show <flagname/observername> -- show current values for flag or observer" ..
 	"\n  " .. debugDemon.markOfDemon .. "set <flagname> <number> -- set flag to value <number>" ..
 	"\n  " .. debugDemon.markOfDemon .. "inc <flagname> -- increase flag by 1, changing it" ..
@@ -614,6 +670,8 @@ trigger.action.outText("*** debugger: commands are:" ..
 	"\n\n  " .. debugDemon.markOfDemon .. "start -- starts debugger" ..
 	"\n  " .. debugDemon.markOfDemon .. "stop -- stop debugger" ..
 
+	"\n\n  " .. debugDemon.markOfDemon .. "save [<filename>] -- saves debugger log to storage" ..
+
 	"\n\n  " .. debugDemon.markOfDemon .. "? or -help  -- this text", 30)
 	return true 
 end
@@ -622,14 +680,14 @@ function debugDemon.processNewCommand(args, event)
 	-- syntax new <observername> [[for] <condition>]
 	local observerName = args[1]
 	if not observerName then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** new: missing observer name.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** new: missing observer name.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 	
 	-- see if this observer already existst
 	local theObserver = debugger.getDebuggerByName(observerName)
 	if theObserver then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** new: observer <" .. observerName .. "> already exists.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** new: observer <" .. observerName .. "> already exists.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 	
@@ -638,7 +696,7 @@ function debugDemon.processNewCommand(args, event)
 	local remainderName = event.remainder
 	local rObserver = debugger.getDebuggerByName(remainderName)
 	if rObserver then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** new: observer <" .. remainderName .. "> already exists.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** new: observer <" .. remainderName .. "> already exists.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 	
@@ -655,14 +713,14 @@ function debugDemon.processNewCommand(args, event)
 	if condition == "for" then condition = args[3] end 
 	if condition then 
 		if not cfxZones.verifyMethod(condition, theZone) then 
-			trigger.action.outText("*** new: illegal trigger condition <" .. condition .. "> for observer <" .. observerName .. ">", 30)
+			debugger.outText("*** new: illegal trigger condition <" .. condition .. "> for observer <" .. observerName .. ">", 30)
 			return false 
 		end
 		theZone.debugInputMethod = condition
 	end
 	
 	debugger.addDebugger(theZone)
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debugger: new observer <" .. observerName .. "> for <" .. theZone.debugInputMethod .. ">", 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debugger: new observer <" .. observerName .. "> for <" .. theZone.debugInputMethod .. ">", 30)
 	return true 
 end
 
@@ -670,14 +728,14 @@ function debugDemon.processUpdateCommand(args, event)
 	-- syntax update <observername> [[to] <condition>]
 	local observerName = args[1]
 	if not observerName then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** update: missing observer name.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** update: missing observer name.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 	
 	-- see if this observer already existst
 	local theZone = debugger.getDebuggerByName(observerName)
 	if not theZone then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** update: observer <" .. observerName .. "> does not exist exists.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** update: observer <" .. observerName .. "> does not exist exists.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 		
@@ -685,13 +743,13 @@ function debugDemon.processUpdateCommand(args, event)
 	if condition == "to" then condition = args[3] end 
 	if condition then 
 		if not cfxZones.verifyMethod(condition, theZone) then 
-			trigger.action.outText("*** update: illegal trigger condition <" .. condition .. "> for observer <" .. observerName .. ">", 30)
+			debugger.outText("*** update: illegal trigger condition <" .. condition .. "> for observer <" .. observerName .. ">", 30)
 			return false 
 		end
 		theZone.debugInputMethod = condition
 	end
 	
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debugger: updated observer <" .. observerName .. "> to <" .. theZone.debugInputMethod .. ">", 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debugger: updated observer <" .. observerName .. "> to <" .. theZone.debugInputMethod .. ">", 30)
 	return true 
 end
 
@@ -699,21 +757,21 @@ function debugDemon.processDropCommand(args, event)
 	-- syntax drop <observername>
 	local observerName = event.remainder -- remainder
 	if not observerName then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** drop: missing observer name.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** drop: missing observer name.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 	
 	-- see if this observer already existst
 	local theZone = debugger.getDebuggerByName(observerName)
 	if not theZone then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** drop: observer <" .. observerName .. "> does not exist exists.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** drop: observer <" .. observerName .. "> does not exist exists.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 	
 	-- now simply and irrevocable remove the observer, unless it's home, 
 	-- in which case it's simply reset 
 	if theZone == debugDemon.observer then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** drop: <" .. observerName .. "> is MY PRECIOUS and WILL NOT be dropped.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** drop: <" .. observerName .. "> is MY PRECIOUS and WILL NOT be dropped.", 30)
 		-- can't really happen since it contains blanks, but
 		-- we've seen stranger things
 		return false -- allows correction 
@@ -721,7 +779,7 @@ function debugDemon.processDropCommand(args, event)
 	
 	debugger.removeDebugger(theZone)
 	
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debugger: dropped observer <" .. observerName .. ">", 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debugger: dropped observer <" .. observerName .. ">", 30)
 	return true 
 end
 -- observe command: add a new flag to observe
@@ -730,7 +788,7 @@ function debugDemon.processObserveCommand(args, event)
 	-- args[1] is the name of the flag 
 	local flagName = args[1]
 	if not flagName then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** observe: missing flag name.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** observe: missing flag name.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 	
@@ -738,7 +796,7 @@ function debugDemon.processObserveCommand(args, event)
 	if args[2] == "with" then 
 		local aName = args[3]
 		if not aName then 
-			trigger.action.outText("*** observe: missing <observer name> after 'with'.", 30)
+			debugger.outText("*** observe: missing <observer name> after 'with'.", 30)
 			return false -- allows correction 
 		end
 		aName = dcsCommon.stringRemainsStartingWith(event.remainder, aName)
@@ -746,12 +804,12 @@ function debugDemon.processObserveCommand(args, event)
 		if not withTracker then 
 --			withTracker = debugDemon.createObserver(aName)
 --			debugger.addDebugger(withTracker)
-			trigger.action.outText("*** observe: no observer <" .. aName .. "> exists", 30)
+			debugger.outText("*** observe: no observer <" .. aName .. "> exists", 30)
 			return false -- allows correction
 		end 
 	else -- not with as arg 2 
 		if #args > 1 then 
-			trigger.action.outText("*** observe: unknown command after flag name '" .. flagName .. "'.", 30)
+			debugger.outText("*** observe: unknown command after flag name '" .. flagName .. "'.", 30)
 			return false -- allows correction 
 		end
 		-- use own observer  
@@ -759,13 +817,13 @@ function debugDemon.processObserveCommand(args, event)
 	end
 	
 	if debugger.isObservingWithObserver(flagName, withTracker) then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** observe: already observing " .. flagName .. " with <" .. withTracker.name .. ">" , 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** observe: already observing " .. flagName .. " with <" .. withTracker.name .. ">" , 30)
 		return true
 	end
 	
 	-- we add flag to tracker and init value
 	debugger.addFlagToObserver(flagName, withTracker)
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debugger: now observing <" .. flagName .. "> for value " .. withTracker.debugInputMethod .. " with <" .. withTracker.name .. ">.", 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debugger: now observing <" .. flagName .. "> for value " .. withTracker.debugInputMethod .. " with <" .. withTracker.name .. ">.", 30)
 	return true
 end
 
@@ -774,7 +832,7 @@ function debugDemon.processShowCommand(args, event)
 	-- observer has precendce over flag 
 	local theName = args[1]
 	if not theName then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** show: missing observer/flag name.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** show: missing observer/flag name.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 	
@@ -785,12 +843,12 @@ function debugDemon.processShowCommand(args, event)
 	if not theObserver then 
 		-- we directly use trigger.misc
 		local fVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(theName)
-		trigger.action.outText("[" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] flag <" .. theName .. "> : value <".. fVal .. ">", 30)
+		debugger.outText("[" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] flag <" .. theName .. "> : value <".. fVal .. ">", 30)
 		return true 
 	end
 	
 	-- if we get here, we want to show an entire observer 
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] flags observed by <" .. theName .. "> looking for <value ".. theObserver.debugInputMethod .. ">:", 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] flags observed by <" .. theName .. "> looking for <value ".. theObserver.debugInputMethod .. ">:", 30)
 	local flags = theObserver.flagArray
 	local values = theObserver.valueArray
 	for idx, flagName in pairs(flags) do 
@@ -804,7 +862,7 @@ function debugDemon.processShowCommand(args, event)
 			theMark = " ! "
 			trailer = ", HIT!"
 		end 
-		trigger.action.outText(theMark .. "f:<" .. flagName .. "> = <".. fVal .. "> [current, state = <" .. values[flagName] .. ">" .. trailer .. "]", 30)
+		debugger.outText(theMark .. "f:<" .. flagName .. "> = <".. fVal .. "> [current, state = <" .. values[flagName] .. ">" .. trailer .. "]", 30)
 	end 
 	
 	return true 
@@ -836,7 +894,7 @@ function debugDemon.processSnapCommand(args, event)
 		theName = dcsCommon.stringRemainsStartingWith(event.remainder, theName)
 		theObserver = debugger.getDebuggerByName(theName)
 		if not theObserver then 
-			trigger.action.outText("*** snap: unknown observer name <" .. theName .. ">.", 30)
+			debugger.outText("*** snap: unknown observer name <" .. theName .. ">.", 30)
 			return false -- allows correction
 		end
 	end 
@@ -861,26 +919,26 @@ function debugDemon.processSnapCommand(args, event)
 	
 	local sz = dcsCommon.getSizeOfTable(snapshot)
 	debugDemon.snapshot = snapshot
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debug: new snapshot created, " .. sz .. " flags.", 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debug: new snapshot created, " .. sz .. " flags.", 30)
 	
 	return true 
 end
 
 function debugDemon.processCompareCommand(args, event)
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debug: comparing snapshot with current flag values", 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debug: comparing snapshot with current flag values", 30)
 	for flagName, val in pairs (debugDemon.snapshot) do 
 		local cVal = trigger.misc.getUserFlag(flagName)
 		local mark = '   '
 		if cVal ~= val then mark = ' ! ' end
-		trigger.action.outText(mark .. "<" .. flagName .. "> snap = <" .. val .. ">, now = <" .. cVal .. "> " .. mark, 30)
+		debugger.outText(mark .. "<" .. flagName .. "> snap = <" .. val .. ">, now = <" .. cVal .. "> " .. mark, 30)
 	end
-	trigger.action.outText("*** END", 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** END", 30)
 	return true 
 end
 
 function debugDemon.processNoteCommand(args, event)
 	local n = event.remainder
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "]: " .. n, 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "]: " .. n, 30)
 	return true
 end
 
@@ -888,7 +946,7 @@ function debugDemon.processSetCommand(args, event)
 	-- syntax set <flagname> <value>
 	local theName = args[1]
 	if not theName then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** set: missing flag name.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** set: missing flag name.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 	
@@ -900,13 +958,21 @@ function debugDemon.processSetCommand(args, event)
 	end
 	
 	if not theVal or not (tonumber(theVal)) then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** set: missing or illegal value for flag <" .. theName .. ">.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** set: missing or illegal value for flag <" .. theName .. ">.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction
 	end 
 	
-	-- we set directly, no cfxZones procing
+	theVal = tonumber(theVal) 
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debug: set flag <" .. theName .. "> to <" .. theVal .. ">", 30)
 	trigger.action.setUserFlag(theName, theVal)
+	-- we set directly, no cfxZones proccing
+	local note =""
+	-- flags are ints only?
+	if theVal ~= math.floor(theVal) then 
+		note = " [int! " .. math.floor(theVal) .. "]"
+	end
+	
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debug: set flag <" .. theName .. "> to <" .. theVal .. ">" .. note, 30)
+	
 	return true 
 end
 
@@ -914,7 +980,7 @@ function debugDemon.processIncCommand(args, event)
 	-- syntax inc <flagname>
 	local theName = args[1]
 	if not theName then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** inc: missing flag name.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** inc: missing flag name.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 	
@@ -922,7 +988,7 @@ function debugDemon.processIncCommand(args, event)
 	local nVal = cVal + 1 
 	
 	-- we set directly, no cfxZones procing
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debug: inc flag <" .. theName .. "> from <" .. cVal .. "> to <" .. nVal .. ">", 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debug: inc flag <" .. theName .. "> from <" .. cVal .. "> to <" .. nVal .. ">", 30)
 	trigger.action.setUserFlag(theName, nVal)
 	return true 
 end
@@ -931,7 +997,7 @@ function debugDemon.processFlipCommand(args, event)
 	-- syntax flip <flagname> 
 	local theName = args[1]
 	if not theName then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** flip: missing flag name.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** flip: missing flag name.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 	
@@ -939,7 +1005,7 @@ function debugDemon.processFlipCommand(args, event)
 	if cVal == 0 then nVal = 1 else nVal = 0 end 
 	
 	-- we set directly, no cfxZones procing
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debug: flipped flag <" .. theName .. "> from <" .. cVal .. "> to <" .. nVal .. ">", 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debug: flipped flag <" .. theName .. "> from <" .. cVal .. "> to <" .. nVal .. ">", 30)
 	trigger.action.setUserFlag(theName, nVal)
 	return true 
 end
@@ -952,9 +1018,9 @@ function debugDemon.processListCommand(args, event)
 		prefix = event.remainder -- dcsCommon.stringRemainsStartingWith(event.text, prefix)
 	end
 	if prefix then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] listing observers whose name contains <" .. prefix .. ">:", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] listing observers whose name contains <" .. prefix .. ">:", 30)
 	else 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] listing all observers:", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] listing all observers:", 30)
 	end
 	
 	local allObservers = debugger.debugZones
@@ -966,7 +1032,7 @@ function debugDemon.processListCommand(args, event)
 		end
 		
 		if doList then 
-			trigger.action.outText("  <" .. theName .. "> for <value " .. theZone.debugInputMethod .. "> (" .. #theZone.flagArray .. " flags)", 30)
+			debugger.outText("  <" .. theName .. "> for <value " .. theZone.debugInputMethod .. "> (" .. #theZone.flagArray .. " flags)", 30)
 		end
 	end
     return true 
@@ -976,20 +1042,20 @@ function debugDemon.processWhoCommand(args, event)
 	-- syntax: who <flagname>
 	local flagName = event.remainder -- args[1]
 	if not flagName or flagName:len()<1 then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** who: missing flag name.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** who: missing flag name.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 
 	local observers = debugger.isObserving(flagName)
 
 	if not observers or #observers < 1 then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] flag <" .. flagName .. "> is currently not observed", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] flag <" .. flagName .. "> is currently not observed", 30)
 		return false
 	end 
 
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] flag <" .. flagName .. "> is currently observed by", 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] flag <" .. flagName .. "> is currently observed by", 30)
 	for idx, theZone in pairs(observers) do 
-		trigger.action.outText("  <" .. theZone.name .. "> looking for <value " .. theZone.debugInputMethod .. ">", 30)
+		debugger.outText("  <" .. theZone.name .. "> looking for <value " .. theZone.debugInputMethod .. ">", 30)
 	end
 	
 	return true
@@ -1001,7 +1067,7 @@ function debugDemon.processForgetCommand(args, event)
 
 	local flagName = args[1]
 	if not flagName then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** forget: missing flag name.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** forget: missing flag name.", 30)
 		return false -- allows correction 
 	end
 	
@@ -1009,19 +1075,19 @@ function debugDemon.processForgetCommand(args, event)
 	if args[2] == "with" or args[2] == "from" then -- we also allow 'from'
 		local aName = args[3]
 		if not aName then 
-			trigger.action.outText("*** forget: missing <observer name> after 'with'.", 30)
+			debugger.outText("*** forget: missing <observer name> after 'with'.", 30)
 			return false -- allows correction 
 		end
 		
 		aName = dcsCommon.stringRemainsStartingWith(event.remainder, aName)
 		withTracker = debugger.getDebuggerByName(aName)
 		if not withTracker then 
-			trigger.action.outText("*** forget: no observer named <" .. aName .. ">", 30)
+			debugger.outText("*** forget: no observer named <" .. aName .. ">", 30)
 			return false
 		end 
 	else -- not with as arg 2 
 		if #args > 1 then 
-			trigger.action.outText("*** forget: unknown command after flag name '" .. flagName .. "'.", 30)
+			debugger.outText("*** forget: unknown command after flag name '" .. flagName .. "'.", 30)
 			return false -- allows correction 
 		end
 		-- use own observer  
@@ -1029,13 +1095,13 @@ function debugDemon.processForgetCommand(args, event)
 	end
 	
 	if not debugger.isObservingWithObserver(flagName, withTracker) then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** forget: observer <" .. withTracker.name .. "> does not observe flag <" .. flagName .. ">", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** forget: observer <" .. withTracker.name .. "> does not observe flag <" .. flagName .. ">", 30)
 		return false
 	end
 	
 	-- we add flag to tracker and init value
 	debugger.removeFlagFromObserver(flagName, withTracker)
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debugger: no longer observing " .. flagName .. " with <" .. withTracker.name .. ">.", 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debugger: no longer observing " .. flagName .. " with <" .. withTracker.name .. ">.", 30)
 	return true
 end
 
@@ -1057,23 +1123,35 @@ function debugDemon.processResetCommand(args, event)
 	local obsName = args[1]
 	if not obsName then 
 		debugger.reset() -- reset all
-		trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debug: reset complete.", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debug: reset complete.", 30)
 		return true -- allows correction 
 	end
 	
 	local withTracker = nil 
-	--if args[2] == "with" then 
+	local aName = event.remainder 
-	local aName = args[1]
-	aName = event.remainder -- dcsCommon.stringRemainsStartingWith(event.text, aName)
 	withTracker = debugger.getDebuggerByName(aName)
 	if not withTracker then 
-		trigger.action.outText("*** reset: no observer <" .. aName .. ">", 30)
+		debugger.outText("*** reset: no observer <" .. aName .. ">", 30)
 		return false
 	end 
 	
 	debugger.resetObserver(withTracker)
 	
-	trigger.action.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debugger:reset observer <" .. withTracker.name .. ">", 30)
+	debugger.outText("*** [" .. dcsCommon.nowString() .. "] debugger:reset observer <" .. withTracker.name .. ">", 30)
+	return true
+end
+
+function debugDemon.processSaveCommand(args, event)
+	-- save log to file, requires persistence module 
+	-- syntax: -save [<fileName>]
+	local aName = event.remainder
+	if not aName or aName:len() < 1 then 
+		aName = "DML Debugger Log"
+	end
+	if not dcsCommon.stringEndsWith(aName, ".txt") then 
+		aName = aName .. ".txt"
+	end
+	debugger.saveLog(aName)
 	return true 
 end
 --
@@ -1084,7 +1162,7 @@ function debugDemon.readConfigZone()
 	local theZone = cfxZones.getZoneByName("debugDemonConfig") 
 	if not theZone then 
 		if debugDemon.verbose then 
-			trigger.action.outText("+++debug: NO config zone!", 30)
+			debugger.outText("+++debug (daemon): NO config zone!", 30)
 		end 
 		theZone = cfxZones.createSimpleZone("debugDemonConfig") 
 	end 
@@ -1099,7 +1177,7 @@ function debugDemon.readConfigZone()
 	
 	
 	if debugger.verbose then 
-		trigger.action.outText("+++debug (deamon): read config", 30)
+		debugger.outText("+++debug (deamon): read config", 30)
 	end 
 end
 
@@ -1140,6 +1218,8 @@ function debugDemon.init()
 	debugDemon.addCommndProcessor("stop", debugDemon.processStopCommand)
 	debugDemon.addCommndProcessor("reset", debugDemon.processResetCommand)
 	
+	debugDemon.addCommndProcessor("save", debugDemon.processSaveCommand)
+
 	debugDemon.addCommndProcessor("?", debugDemon.processHelpCommand)
 	debugDemon.addCommndProcessor("help", debugDemon.processHelpCommand)
 
@@ -1159,7 +1239,11 @@ function debugDemon.start()
 	debugDemon.snapshot = debugDemon.createSnapshot(debugger.debugZones)
 	debugDemon.demonID = world.addEventHandler(debugDemon)
 		
-	trigger.action.outText("interactive debugDemon v" .. debugDemon.version .. " started" .. "\n  enter " .. debugDemon.markOfDemon .. "? in a map mark for help", 30)
+	debugger.outText("interactive debugDemon v" .. debugDemon.version .. " started" .. "\n  enter " .. debugDemon.markOfDemon .. "? in a map mark for help", 30)
+	
+	if not _G["persistence"] then 
+		debugger.outText("\n  note: '-save' disabled, no persistence module found", 30)
+	end
 end
 
 if debugDemon.init() then 
@@ -1170,6 +1254,11 @@ else
 end
 
 --[[--
-	- track units/groups: health changes 
+	- track units/groups/objects: health changes 
-	- track players: unit change 
+	- track players: unit change, enter, exit 
+	- inspect objects, dumping category, life, if it's tasking, latLon, alt, speed, direction 
+	
+	- exec files. save all commands and then run them from script 
+	- remove units via delete and explode
+	
 --]]--

modules/unitPersistence.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,276 @@
+unitPersistence = {}
+unitPersistence.version = '1.0.0'
+unitPersistence.verbose = false 
+unitPersistence.requiredLibs = {
+	"dcsCommon", -- always
+	"cfxZones", -- Zones, of course 
+	"persistence",
+	"cfxMX",
+}
+--[[--
+	Version History 
+	1.0.0 - initial version
+	
+	REQUIRES PERSISTENCE AND MX
+
+	Persist ME-placed ground units
+	
+--]]--
+unitPersistence.groundTroops = {} -- local buffered copy that we 
+								  -- maintain from save to save
+unitPersistence.statics = {} -- locally unpacked and buffered static objects 
+
+--
+-- Save -- Callback 
+--
+function unitPersistence.saveData()
+	local theData = {}
+	if unitPersistence.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++unitPersistence: enter saveData", 30)
+	end
+	
+	-- theData contains last save 
+	-- we save GROUND units placed by ME on. we access a copy of MX data 
+	-- for ground troups, iterate through all groups, and create 
+	-- a replacement group here and now that is used to replace the one 
+	-- that is there when it was spawned
+	for groupName, groupData in pairs(unitPersistence.groundTroops) do
+		-- we update this record live and save it to file
+		if not groupData.isDead then 
+			local gotALiveOne = false 
+			local allUnits = groupData.units
+			for idx, theUnitData in pairs(allUnits) do
+				if not theUnitData.isDead then 
+					local uName = theUnitData.name 
+					local gUnit = Unit.getByName(uName)
+					if gUnit and gUnit:isExist() then 
+						-- got a live one!
+						gotALiveOne = true 
+						-- update x and y and heading 
+						theUnitData.heading = dcsCommon.getUnitHeading(gUnit)
+						pos = gUnit:getPoint()
+						theUnitData.x = pos.x
+						theUnitData.y = pos.z -- (!!)
+						-- ground units do not use alt
+					else 
+						theUnitData.isDead = true
+					end -- is alive and exists?
+				end	-- unit not dead 
+			end -- iterate units in group 
+			groupData.isDead = not gotALiveOne
+		end -- if group is not dead 
+		if unitPersistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("unitPersistence: save - processed group <" .. groupName .. ">.", 30)
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- process all static objects placed with ME 
+	for oName, oData in pairs(unitPersistence.statics) do 
+		if not oData.isDead then 
+			-- fetch the object and see if it's still alive
+			local theObject = StaticObject.getByName(oName)
+			if theObject and theObject:isExist() then
+				oData.heading = dcsCommon.getUnitHeading(theObject)
+				pos = theObject:getPoint()
+				oData.x = pos.x
+				oData.y = pos.z -- (!!)
+				oData.isDead = theObject:getLife() < 1
+--				trigger.action.outText("deadcheck: " .. oName .. " has health=" .. theObject:getLife(), 30)
+				oData.dead = oData.isDead
+			else 
+				oData.isDead = true
+				oData.dead = true 
+--				trigger.action.outText("deadcheck: " .. oName .. " certified dead", 30)
+			end
+		end
+		if unitPersistence.verbose then 
+			local note = "(ok)"
+			if oData.isDead then note = "(dead)" end 
+			trigger.action.outText("unitPersistence: save - processed group <" .. oName .. ">. " .. note, 30)
+		end
+	end
+	
+	theData.version = unitPersistence.version
+	theData.ground = unitPersistence.groundTroops
+	theData.statics = unitPersistence.statics
+	return theData
+end
+
+--
+-- Load Mission Data
+--
+function unitPersistence.loadMission()
+	local theData = persistence.getSavedDataForModule("unitPersistence")
+	if not theData then 
+		if unitPersistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("unitPersistence: no save date received, skipping.", 30)
+		end
+		return
+	end
+	
+	if theData.version ~= unitPersistence.version then 
+		trigger.action.outText("\nWARNING!\nUnit data was saved with a different (older) version!\nProceed with caution, fresh start is recommended.\n", 30)
+	end
+	
+	-- we just loaded an updated version of unitPersistence.groundTroops	
+	-- now iterate all groups, update their positions and 
+	-- delete all dead groups or units
+	-- because they currently should exist is the game 
+	-- note: if they don't exist in-game that is because mission was 
+	-- edited after last save 
+	local mismatchWarning = false 
+	if theData.ground then 
+		for groupName, groupData in pairs(theData.ground) do
+			local theGroup = Group.getByName(groupName)
+			if not theGroup then 
+				mismatchWarning = true 
+			elseif groupData.isDead then
+				theGroup:destroy()
+			else 
+				local newGroup = dcsCommon.clone(groupData)
+				local newUnits = {}
+				for idx, theUnitData in pairs(groupData.units) do 
+					-- filter all dead groups 
+					if theUnitData.isDead then 
+						-- skip it
+						
+					else 
+						-- add it to new group
+						table.insert(newUnits, theUnitData)
+					end
+				end
+				-- replace old unit setup with new 
+				newGroup.units = newUnits
+
+				local cty = groupData.cty 
+				local cat = groupData.cat 
+				
+				-- destroy the old group 
+				--theGroup:destroy() -- will be replaced 
+				
+				-- spawn new one 
+				theGroup = coalition.addGroup(cty, cat, newGroup)
+				if not theGroup then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++ failed to add modified group <" .. groupName .. ">")
+				end
+				if unitPersistence.verbose then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++unitPersistence: updated group <" .. groupName .. "> of cat <" .. cat .. "> for cty <" .. cty .. ">", 30)
+				end 
+			end 
+		end
+	else 
+		if unitPersistence.verbose then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++unitPersistence: no ground unit data.", 30)
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- and now the same for static objects 
+	if theData.statics then 
+		for name, staticData in pairs(theData.statics) do
+			local theStatic = StaticObject.getByName(name)
+			if not theStatic then 
+				mismatchWarning = true 
+			else
+				local newStatic = dcsCommon.clone(staticData)
+				local cty = staticData.cty 
+				local cat = staticData.cat
+				-- spawn new one, replacing same.named old, dead if required 
+				gStatic =  coalition.addStaticObject(cty, newStatic)
+				if not gStatic then 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++ failed to add modified static <" .. name .. ">")
+				end
+				if unitPersistence.verbose then 
+					local note = ""
+					if newStatic.dead then note = " (dead)" end 
+					trigger.action.outText("+++unitPersistence: updated static <" .. name .. "> for cty <" .. cty .. ">" .. note, 30)
+				end 
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	
+	if mismatchWarning then 
+		trigger.action.outText("\n+++WARNING: \nSaved data does not match mission. You should re-start from scratch\n", 30)
+	end
+	-- set mission according to data received from last save 
+	if unitPersistence.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("unitPersistence: units set from save data.", 30)
+	end
+end
+
+--
+-- Start
+--
+function unitPersistence.start()
+	-- lib check 
+	if (not dcsCommon) or (not dcsCommon.libCheck) then 
+		trigger.action.outText("unit persistence requires dcsCommon", 30)
+		return false 
+	end 
+	if not dcsCommon.libCheck("unit persistence", unitPersistence.requiredLibs) then
+		return false 
+	end
+
+	-- see if we even need to persist 
+	if not persistence.active then 
+		return true -- WARNING: true, but not really
+	end	
+	
+	-- sign up for save callback 
+	callbacks = {}
+	callbacks.persistData = unitPersistence.saveData
+	persistence.registerModule("unitPersistence", callbacks)
+	
+	-- create a local copy of the entire groundForces data that 
+	-- we maintain internally. It's fixed, and we work on our 
+	-- own copy for speed
+	for gname, data in pairs(cfxMX.allGroundByName) do
+		local gd = dcsCommon.clone(data) -- copy the record
+		gd.isDead = false -- init new field to alive
+		-- coalition and country 
+		gd.cat = cfxMX.catText2ID("vehicle")
+		local gGroup = Group.getByName(gname)
+		if not gGroup then 
+			trigger.action.outText("+++warning: group <" .. gname .. "> does not exist in-game!?", 30)
+		else
+			local firstUnit = gGroup:getUnit(1)
+			gd.cty = firstUnit:getCountry()
+			unitPersistence.groundTroops[gname] = gd
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- make local copies of all static MX objects 
+	-- that we also maintain internally, and convert them to game 
+	-- spawnable objects 
+	for name, mxData in pairs(cfxMX.allStaticByName) do
+		-- statics in MX are built like groups, so we have to strip 
+		-- the outer shell and extract all 'units' which are actually 
+		-- objects. And there is usually only one 
+		for idx, staticData in pairs(mxData.units) do 
+			local theStatic = dcsCommon.clone(staticData)
+			theStatic.isDead = false 
+			theStatic.groupId = mxData.groupId
+			theStatic.cat = cfxMX.catText2ID("static")
+			local gameOb = StaticObject.getByName(theStatic.name)
+			if not gameOb then 
+				trigger.action.outText("+++warning: static object <" .. theStatic.name .. "> does not exist in-game!?", 30)
+			else 
+				theStatic.cty = gameOb:getCountry()
+				unitPersistence.statics[theStatic.name] = theStatic
+			end
+		end
+	end
+	
+	-- when we run, persistence has run and may have data ready for us
+	if persistence.hasData then
+		unitPersistence.loadMission()
+	end
+	
+	return true 
+end
+
+if not unitPersistence.start() then 
+	if unitPersistence.verbose then 
+		trigger.action.outText("+++ unit persistence not available", 30)
+	end
+	unitPersistence = nil 
+end