Obsolete Custom Code in 1914: Twilight in the East

Module Support
1

I am receiving an Obsolete code error message when I try to open the mod. Does anybody know how to fix that?

2

Here’s a prior thread about this family of modules.

You can get an older version of VASSAL from the release archive linked in that thread. Anything from version 3.5.8 and older should run it. If you go all the way back to 3.2.17, the module will run just fine, but 3.5.x will probably pop up a warning message about deprecated methods but ultimately let you run it anyway.

3

Sigh! This is why custom code should always be made available in source form.

You may have some luck

  • downloading 1914: Twilight in the East module,
  • unpack it as a zip file,
  • extract the *.class files (with directory structure) into a new Zip archive
  • de-compile the byte code into source code using some Java Decompiler
  • Recompile the Java code against a newer Vassal Vengine.jar (see Creating Custom Classes)

If you are not familiar with Java coding, you may want to hook up with your local friendly Java developer.

Yours,
Christian

4

Also, be aware that if you go all the way back to 3.2.x, you will also need to install an old version of Java on your system (versions 5 to 8, a.k.a. 1.5 to 1.8, are required for 3.2.x), so I strongly recommend you stick with 3.5.8 and just live with the warnings.

5

The long-term solution here is for someone to adopt Twilight in the East (and the other modules using George Hayward’s custom code) and fix them.

You may not need to decompile the class files in the module, as George reused his custom classes widely. The source code I was given is here.

6

Ok, thank you for your replies. I think Ill wait for somebody to adopt it and fix. Maybe Ill get lucky…

7

I’m afraid you’ll wait forever with that approach. You’re better off organizing a solution if you want it to happen.

8

Grap an updated module from

Note, I will delete this file after a few days, so consider to download it now, and then update to the Vassal library. In this module, I’ve updated the custom code - no idea if it works or not, as I’m not familiar with the game nor the module and have no expectations about what should happen or not. I’ve added notes on how to update the custom code to the module, as a well as a PDF of the rules and playbook.

Yours,
Christian

9

Ok Ive downloaded thx. I dont get the error anymore but there seems to be some things missing. Ill figure it out as I work through it. This is my first time playing. Thx again.

10

The module has been updated (version 2.14.0) with newly compiled custom code - thanks to @uckelman for the pointer to the source code.

The new version

  • Has a document that gives information about where to find the custom source and how to compile and update the module.
  • Includes the rule book as a PDF
  • Includes the play book as a PDF

Note that some of the scenarios (embedded .vsav files) probably need to be updated, as the maps seems to be distorted.

Peter (@pdietrich2) give me co-ownership, and I used that to update the module. I’ve since removed myself as owner. Communication about the module should probably go to Peter (@pdietrich2).

Yours,
Christian

1 Like
11

Hi Chris,

may i place this your comments on consimworld ?

Peter

12

Yes you can. Im new at doing this sort of thing.

13

I guess this is for me? If so, please go ahead.

@fumbles Please remember to click Solved if you feel the problem has been solved - only you can do that, and it helps people see that there’s a solution to the issue.

Yours,
Christian