Added new IBT system for Ideas, Bugs and Typos (thanks Frenze)

changelog

@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ Xlist (mlist, olist, rlist, zlist, slist, tlist, qlist)
 (lots of major bugfixes too)
 @
 tbaMUD 3.61
+[Oct 24 2009] - Jamdog
+  Added new IBT system for Ideas, Bugs and Typos (thanks Frenze)
 [Oct 23 2009] - Rumble
   Fixed bug in renumbering zone table after deleting mobiles. (thanks Drefs)
   Fixed bug in renumbering zone table after deleting objects. (thanks Drefs)

src/act.h

@@ -224,11 +224,6 @@ ACMD(do_gen_tog);
 #define SCMD_PAGELENGTH  31
 #define SCMD_SCREENWIDTH 32
 
-/* do_gen_write */
-ACMD(do_gen_write);
-#define SCMD_BUG  0
-#define SCMD_TYPO 1
-#define SCMD_IDEA 2
 /* do_quit */
 ACMD(do_quit);
 #define SCMD_QUI  0

src/act.other.c

@@ -684,71 +684,6 @@ ACMD(do_display)
   send_to_char(ch, "%s", CONFIG_OK);
 }
 
-ACMD(do_gen_write)
-{
-  FILE *fl;
-  char *tmp;
-  const char *filename;
-  struct stat fbuf;
-  time_t ct;
-
-  switch (subcmd) {
-  case SCMD_BUG:
-    filename = BUG_FILE;
-    break;
-  case SCMD_TYPO:
-    filename = TYPO_FILE;
-    break;
-  case SCMD_IDEA:
-    filename = IDEA_FILE;
-    break;
-  default:
-    return;
-  }
-
-  ct = time(0);
-  tmp = asctime(localtime(&ct));
-
-  if (IS_NPC(ch)) {
-    send_to_char(ch, "Monsters can't have ideas - Go away.\r\n");
-    return;
-  }
-
-  skip_spaces(&argument);
-  delete_doubledollar(argument);
-
-  if (!*argument) {
-    send_to_char(ch, "That must be a mistake...\r\n");
-    return;
-  }
-  mudlog(NRM, LVL_GOD, FALSE, "%s %s: %s", GET_NAME(ch), CMD_NAME, argument);
-
-  if (stat(filename, &fbuf) < 0) {
-    perror("SYSERR: Can't stat() file");
-    /* SYSERR_DESC: This is from do_gen_write() and indicates that it cannot
-     * call the stat() system call on the file required.  The error string at
-     * the end of the line should explain what the problem is. */
-    return;
-  }
-  if (fbuf.st_size >= CONFIG_MAX_FILESIZE) {
-    send_to_char(ch, "Sorry, the file is full right now.. try again later.\r\n");
-    return;
-  }
-  if (!(fl = fopen(filename, "a"))) {
-    perror("SYSERR: do_gen_write");
-    /* SYSERR_DESC: This is from do_gen_write(), and will be output if the file
-     * in question cannot be opened for appending to.  The error string at the
-     * end of the line should explain what the problem is. */
-
-    send_to_char(ch, "Could not open the file.  Sorry.\r\n");
-    return;
-  }
-  fprintf(fl, "%-8s (%6.6s) [%5d] %s\n", GET_NAME(ch), (tmp + 4),
-	  GET_ROOM_VNUM(IN_ROOM(ch)), argument);
-  fclose(fl);
-  send_to_char(ch, "Okay.  Thanks!\r\n");
-}
-
 #define TOG_OFF 0
 #define TOG_ON  1
 ACMD(do_gen_tog)

src/act.wizard.c

@@ -4178,9 +4178,6 @@ ACMD(do_file)
     char *file;         /* The file location, relative to the working dir. */
     int read_backwards; /* Should the file be read backwards by default? */
   } fields[] = {
-    { "bugs",           LVL_GOD,    BUG_FILE,            TRUE},
-    { "typos",          LVL_GOD,    TYPO_FILE,           TRUE},
-    { "ideas",          LVL_GOD,    IDEA_FILE,           TRUE},
     { "xnames",         LVL_GOD,    XNAME_FILE,          TRUE},
     { "levels",         LVL_GOD,    LEVELS_LOGFILE,      TRUE},
     { "rip",            LVL_GOD,    RIP_LOGFILE,         TRUE},

src/constants.c

@@ -156,6 +156,9 @@ const char *player_bits[] = {
   "INVST",
   "CRYO",
   "DEAD",    /* You should never see this flag on a character in game. */
+  "IBT_BUG",
+  "IBT_IDEA",
+  "IBT_TYPO",
   "UNUSED1",
   "UNUSED2",
   "UNUSED3",
@@ -296,6 +299,7 @@ const char *connected_types[] = {
   "Help edit",
   "Quest edit",
   "Preference edit",
+  "IBT edit",
   "\n"
 };
 
@@ -913,6 +917,14 @@ const char *history_types[] = {
   "auction",
   "\n"
 };
+
+/** Flag names for Ideas, Bugs and Typos (defined in ibt.h) */
+const char *ibt_bits[] = {
+  "Resolved",
+  "Important",
+  "InProgress",
+  "\n"
+};
 /* --- End of constants arrays. --- */
 
 /* Various arrays we count so we can check the world files.  These

src/constants.h

@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ extern const char *trig_types[];
 extern const char *otrig_types[];
 extern const char *wtrig_types[];
 extern const char *history_types[];
+extern const char *ibt_bits[];
 extern size_t room_bits_count;
 extern size_t action_bits_count;
 extern size_t affected_bits_count;

src/db.c

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@
 #include "modify.h"
 #include "shop.h"
 #include "quest.h"
+#include "ibt.h"
 #include <sys/stat.h>
 
 /*  declarations of most of the 'global' variables */
@@ -357,12 +358,6 @@ ACMD(do_reboot)
       send_to_char(ch, "Cannot read handbook\r\n");
     if (file_to_string_alloc(BACKGROUND_FILE, &background) < 0)
       send_to_char(ch, "Cannot read background\r\n");
-    if (file_to_string_alloc(BUG_FILE, &background) < 0)
-      send_to_char(ch, "Cannot read bugs file\r\n");
-    if (file_to_string_alloc(TYPO_FILE, &background) < 0)
-      send_to_char(ch, "Cannot read typos file\r\n");
-    if (file_to_string_alloc(IDEA_FILE, &background) < 0)
-      send_to_char(ch, "Cannot read ideas file\r\n");
     if (help_table) {
       free_help_table();
     index_boot(DB_BOOT_HLP);
@@ -403,15 +398,6 @@ ACMD(do_reboot)
   } else if (!str_cmp(arg, "background")) {
     if (file_to_string_alloc(BACKGROUND_FILE, &background) < 0)
       send_to_char(ch, "Cannot read background\r\n");
-  } else if (!str_cmp(arg, "bugs")) {
-    if (file_to_string_alloc(BUG_FILE, &bugs) < 0)
-      send_to_char(ch, "Cannot read bugs\r\n");
-  } else if (!str_cmp(arg, "typos")) {
-    if (file_to_string_alloc(TYPO_FILE, &typos) < 0)
-      send_to_char(ch, "Cannot read typos\r\n");
-  } else if (!str_cmp(arg, "ideas")) {
-    if (file_to_string_alloc(IDEA_FILE, &ideas) < 0)
-      send_to_char(ch, "Cannot read ideas\r\n");
   } else if (!str_cmp(arg, "greetings")) {
     if (file_to_string_alloc(GREETINGS_FILE, &GREETINGS) == 0)
       prune_crlf(GREETINGS);
@@ -666,9 +652,6 @@ void boot_db(void)
   file_to_string_alloc(POLICIES_FILE, &policies);
   file_to_string_alloc(HANDBOOK_FILE, &handbook);
   file_to_string_alloc(BACKGROUND_FILE, &background);
-  file_to_string_alloc(BUG_FILE, &bugs);
-  file_to_string_alloc(TYPO_FILE, &typos);
-  file_to_string_alloc(IDEA_FILE, &ideas);
   if (file_to_string_alloc(GREETINGS_FILE, &GREETINGS) == 0)
     prune_crlf(GREETINGS);
 
@@ -728,6 +711,15 @@ void boot_db(void)
   load_banned();
   read_invalid_list();
 
+  log("Loading Ideas.");
+  load_ibt_file(SCMD_IDEA);
+
+  log("Loading Bugs.");
+  load_ibt_file(SCMD_BUG);
+
+  log("Loading Typos.");
+  load_ibt_file(SCMD_TYPO);
+
   if (!no_rent_check) {
     log("Deleting timed-out crash and rent files:");
     update_obj_file();
@@ -2793,6 +2785,258 @@ char *fread_string(FILE *fl, const char *error)
   return (strlen(buf) ? strdup(buf) : NULL);
 }
 
+/* Read a numerical value from a given file */
+int fread_number(FILE *fp)
+{
+  int number;
+  bool sign;
+  char c;
+
+  do
+  {
+    if( feof( fp ) )
+    {
+      log( "%s", "fread_number: EOF encountered on read." );
+      return 0;
+    }
+    c = getc( fp );
+  }
+  while( isspace( c ) );
+
+  number = 0;
+
+  sign = FALSE;
+  if( c == '+' )
+    c = getc( fp );
+  else if( c == '-' ) {
+    sign = TRUE;
+    c = getc( fp );
+  }
+
+  if(!isdigit(c)) {
+    log( "fread_number: bad format. (%c)", c );
+    return 0;
+  }
+
+  while(isdigit(c)) {
+    if(feof(fp)) {
+      log( "%s", "fread_number: EOF encountered on read." );
+      return number;
+    }
+    number = number * 10 + c - '0';
+    c = getc( fp );
+  }
+
+  if( sign )
+    number = 0 - number;
+
+  if( c == '|' )
+    number += fread_number( fp );
+  else if( c != ' ' )
+    ungetc( c, fp );
+
+  return number;
+}
+
+/* Read to end of line from a given file into a static buffer */
+char *fread_line(FILE *fp)
+{
+  static char line[MAX_STRING_LENGTH];
+  char *pline;
+  char c;
+  int ln;
+
+  pline = line;
+  line[0] = '\0';
+  ln = 0;
+
+  /* Skip blanks.     */
+  /* Read first char. */
+  do {
+    if(feof(fp)) {
+      log("fread_line: EOF encountered on read.");
+      *pline = '\0';
+      return (line);
+    }
+    c = getc( fp );
+  }
+  while(isspace(c));
+
+  /* Un-Read first char */
+  ungetc( c, fp );
+
+  do {
+    if(feof(fp)) {
+      log("fread_line: EOF encountered on read.");
+      *pline = '\0';
+      return ( line );
+    }
+    c = getc( fp );
+    *pline++ = c;
+    ln++;
+    if( ln >= ( MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1 ) ) {
+      log("fread_line: line too long");
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+  while( (c != '\n') && (c != '\r') );
+
+  do
+  {
+    c = getc(fp);
+  }
+  while( c == '\n' || c == '\r' );
+
+  ungetc( c, fp );
+  pline--;
+  *pline = '\0';
+
+  /* Since tildes generally aren't found at the end of lines, this seems workable. Will enable reading old configs. */
+  if( line[strlen(line) - 1] == '~' )
+    line[strlen(line) - 1] = '\0';
+
+  return (line);
+}
+
+/* Read to end of line from a given file and convert to flag values, then return number of ints */
+int fread_flags(FILE *fp, int *fg, int fg_size)
+{
+  char line[MAX_STRING_LENGTH];
+  char *pline, *tmp_txt, val_txt[MAX_INPUT_LENGTH];
+  char c;
+  int ln,i;
+
+  pline = line;
+  line[0] = '\0';
+  ln = 0;
+
+  /* Skip blanks.     */
+  /* Read first char. */
+  do {
+    if(feof(fp)) {
+      log("fread_flags: EOF encountered on read.");
+      *pline = '\0';
+      return (0);
+    }
+    c = getc( fp );
+  }
+  while(isspace(c));
+
+  /* Un-Read first char */
+  ungetc( c, fp );
+
+  do {
+    if(feof(fp)) {
+      log("fread_flags: EOF encountered on read.");
+      *pline = '\0';
+      return (0);
+    }
+    c = getc( fp );
+    *pline++ = c;
+    ln++;
+    if( ln >= ( MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1 ) ) {
+      log("fread_flags: line too long");
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+  while( (c != '\n') && (c != '\r') );
+
+  do
+  {
+    c = getc(fp);
+  }
+  while( c == '\n' || c == '\r' );
+
+  ungetc( c, fp );
+  pline--;
+  *pline = '\0';
+
+  /* Since tildes generally aren't found at the end of lines, this seems workable. Will enable reading old configs. */
+  if( line[strlen(line) - 1] == '~' )
+    line[strlen(line) - 1] = '\0';
+
+  /* We now have a line of text with all the flags on it - let's convert it */
+  for (i=0,tmp_txt=line;tmp_txt && *tmp_txt && i<fg_size;i++) {
+    tmp_txt = one_argument(tmp_txt,val_txt);  /* Grab a number  */
+    fg[i]   = atoi(val_txt);                  /* Convert to int */
+  }
+
+  return (i);
+}
+
+/* Read one word from a given file (into static buffer). */
+char *fread_word(FILE *fp)
+{
+   static char word[MAX_STRING_LENGTH];
+   char *pword;
+   char cEnd;
+
+   do
+   {
+      if( feof( fp ) )
+      {
+         log( "fread_word: EOF encountered on read.");
+         word[0] = '\0';
+         return word;
+      }
+      cEnd = getc( fp );
+   }
+   while( isspace( cEnd ) );
+
+   if( cEnd == '\'' || cEnd == '"' )
+   {
+      pword = word;
+   }
+   else
+   {
+      word[0] = cEnd;
+      pword = word + 1;
+      cEnd = ' ';
+   }
+
+   for( ; pword < word + MAX_STRING_LENGTH; pword++ )
+   {
+      if( feof( fp ) )
+      {
+         log( "fread_word: EOF encountered on read.");
+         *pword = '\0';
+         return word;
+      }
+      *pword = getc( fp );
+      if( cEnd == ' ' ? isspace( *pword ) : *pword == cEnd )
+      {
+         if( cEnd == ' ' )
+            ungetc( *pword, fp );
+         *pword = '\0';
+         return word;
+      }
+   }
+   log( "fread_word: word too long");
+   return NULL;
+}
+
+/* Read to end of line in a given file (for comments) */
+void fread_to_eol(FILE *fp)
+{
+  char c;
+
+  do {
+    if(feof(fp)) {
+      log( "%s", "fread_to_eol: EOF encountered on read." );
+      return;
+    }
+    c = getc( fp );
+  }
+  while( c != '\n' && c != '\r' );
+
+  do {
+    c = getc( fp );
+  }
+  while( c == '\n' || c == '\r' );
+
+  ungetc( c, fp );
+}
+
 /* Called to free all allocated follow_type structs */
 static void free_followers(struct follow_type *k)
 {

src/db.h

@@ -100,9 +100,9 @@
 #define HANDBOOK_FILE	LIB_TEXT"handbook"  /* handbook for new immorts	*/
 #define HELP_FILE       "help.hlp"
 
-#define IDEA_FILE	LIB_MISC"ideas"	   /* for the 'idea'-command	*/
+#define IDEAS_FILE	LIB_MISC"ideas"	   /* for the 'idea'-command	*/
-#define TYPO_FILE	LIB_MISC"typos"	   /*         'typo'		*/
+#define TYPOS_FILE	LIB_MISC"typos"	   /*         'typo'		*/
-#define BUG_FILE	LIB_MISC"bugs"	   /*         'bug'		*/
+#define BUGS_FILE	LIB_MISC"bugs"	   /*         'bug'		*/
 #define MESS_FILE	LIB_MISC"messages" /* damage messages		*/
 #define SOCMESS_FILE	LIB_MISC"socials"  /* messages for social acts	*/
 #define SOCMESS_FILE_NEW LIB_MISC"socials.new"  /* messages for social acts with aedit patch*/
@@ -243,6 +243,11 @@ char *fread_action(FILE *fl, int nr);
 int   create_entry(char *name);
 void  zone_update(void);
 char  *fread_string(FILE *fl, const char *error);
+int   fread_number(FILE *fp);
+char  *fread_line(FILE *fp);
+int   fread_flags(FILE *fp, int *fg, int fg_size);
+char  *fread_word(FILE *fp);
+void  fread_to_eol(FILE *fp);
 long  get_id_by_name(const char *name);
 char  *get_name_by_id(long id);
 void  save_mud_time(struct time_info_data *when);

src/interpreter.c

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
 #include "quest.h"
 #include "asciimap.h"
 #include "prefedit.h"
+#include "ibt.h"
 
 /* local (file scope) functions */
 static int perform_dupe_check(struct descriptor_data *d);
@@ -99,7 +100,7 @@ cpp_extern const struct command_info cmd_info[] = {
   { "brief"    , "br"      , POS_DEAD    , do_gen_tog  , 0, SCMD_BRIEF },
   { "buildwalk", "buildwalk", POS_STANDING, do_gen_tog , LVL_BUILDER, SCMD_BUILDWALK },
   { "buy"      , "bu"      , POS_STANDING, do_not_here , 0, 0 },
-  { "bug"      , "bug"     , POS_DEAD    , do_gen_write, 0, SCMD_BUG },
+  { "bug"      , "bug"     , POS_DEAD    , do_ibt      , 0, SCMD_BUG },
 
   { "cast"     , "c"       , POS_SITTING , do_cast     , 1, 0 },
   { "cedit"    , "cedit"   , POS_DEAD    , do_oasis_cedit, LVL_IMPL, 0 },
@@ -171,7 +172,7 @@ cpp_extern const struct command_info cmd_info[] = {
   { "house"    , "house"   , POS_RESTING , do_house    , 0, 0 },
 
   { "inventory", "i"       , POS_DEAD    , do_inventory, 0, 0 },
-  { "idea"     , "id"      , POS_DEAD    , do_gen_write, 0, SCMD_IDEA },
+  { "idea"     , "id"      , POS_DEAD    , do_ibt      , 0, SCMD_IDEA },
   { "imotd"    , "imo"     , POS_DEAD    , do_gen_ps   , LVL_IMMORT, SCMD_IMOTD },
   { "immlist"  , "imm"     , POS_DEAD    , do_gen_ps   , 0, SCMD_IMMLIST },
   { "info"     , "info"    , POS_SLEEPING, do_gen_ps   , 0, SCMD_INFO },
@@ -300,7 +301,7 @@ cpp_extern const struct command_info cmd_info[] = {
   { "track"    , "track"   , POS_STANDING, do_track    , 0, 0 },
   { "transfer" , "transfer", POS_SLEEPING, do_trans    , LVL_GOD, 0 },
   { "trigedit" , "trigedit", POS_DEAD    , do_oasis_trigedit, LVL_BUILDER, 0 },
-  { "typo"     , "typo"    , POS_DEAD    , do_gen_write, 0, SCMD_TYPO },
+  { "typo"     , "typo"    , POS_DEAD    , do_ibt      , 0, SCMD_TYPO },
   { "tlist"    , "tlist"   , POS_DEAD    , do_oasis_list, LVL_BUILDER, SCMD_OASIS_TLIST },
   { "tcopy"    , "tcopy"   , POS_DEAD    , do_oasis_copy, LVL_GOD, CON_TRIGEDIT },
   { "tstat"    , "tstat"   , POS_DEAD    , do_tstat    , LVL_BUILDER, 0 },
@@ -1222,6 +1223,7 @@ void nanny(struct descriptor_data *d, char *arg)
     { CON_HEDIT, hedit_parse },
     { CON_QEDIT, qedit_parse },
     { CON_PREFEDIT, prefedit_parse },
+    { CON_IBTEDIT, ibtedit_parse },
     { -1, NULL }
   };
 

src/modify.c

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include "dg_scripts.h" /* for trigedit_string_cleanup */
 #include "modify.h"
 #include "quest.h"
+#include "ibt.h"
 
 /* local (file scope) function prototpyes  */
 static char *next_page(char *str, struct char_data *ch);
@@ -152,6 +153,7 @@ void string_add(struct descriptor_data *d, char *str)
         case CON_TRIGEDIT:
         case CON_HEDIT:
         case CON_QEDIT:
+        case CON_IBTEDIT:
 	  free(*d->str);
           *d->str = d->backstr;
           d->backstr = NULL;
@@ -192,6 +194,7 @@ void string_add(struct descriptor_data *d, char *str)
       { CON_PLAYING, playing_string_cleanup },
       { CON_HEDIT, hedit_string_cleanup },
       { CON_QEDIT  , qedit_string_cleanup },
+      { CON_IBTEDIT, ibtedit_string_cleanup },
       { -1, NULL }
     };
 

src/oasis.h

@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ struct oasis_olc_data {
   struct social_messg *action;   /* Aedit uses this one      */
   struct trig_data *trig;
   struct prefs_data *prefs;      /* used for 'prefedit'      */
+  struct ibt_data *ibt;          /* used for 'ibtedit'       */
   int script_mode;
   int trigger_position;
   int item_type;
@@ -127,6 +128,7 @@ extern const char *nrm, *grn, *cyn, *yel;
 #define OLC_ACTION(d)  (OLC(d)->action)   /**< Action structure     */
 #define OLC_HELP(d)    (OLC(d)->help)     /**< Hedit structure      */
 #define OLC_PREFS(d)   (OLC(d)->prefs)    /**< Preferences structure */
+#define OLC_IBT(d)     (OLC(d)->ibt)      /**< IBT (idea/bug/typo) structure */
 /* Other macros. */
 #define OLC_EXIT(d)		(OLC_ROOM(d)->dir_option[OLC_VAL(d)])
 

src/structs.h

@@ -193,6 +193,9 @@
 #define PLR_INVSTART     14   /**< Player should enter game wizinvis */
 #define PLR_CRYO         15   /**< Player is cryo-saved (purge prog) */
 #define PLR_NOTDEADYET   16   /**< (R) Player being extracted */
+#define PLR_BUG          17   /**< Player is writing a bug    */
+#define PLR_IDEA         18   /**< Player is writing an idea  */
+#define PLR_TYPO         19   /**< Player is writing a typo   */
 
 /* Mobile flags: used by char_data.char_specials.act */
 #define MOB_SPEC            0   /**< Mob has a callable spec-proc	*/
@@ -314,6 +317,7 @@
 #define CON_HEDIT        27 /**< OLC mode - help edit */
 #define CON_QEDIT        28 /**< OLC mode - quest edit */
 #define CON_PREFEDIT     29 /**< OLC mode - preference edit */
+#define CON_IBTEDIT      30 /**< OLC mode - idea/bug/typo edit */
 
 /* OLC States range - used by IS_IN_OLC and IS_PLAYING */
 #define FIRST_OLC_STATE CON_OEDIT     /**< The first CON_ state that is an OLC */

src/tedit.c

@@ -87,9 +87,6 @@ ACMD(do_tedit)
 	{ "policies",	LVL_IMPL,	&policies,	8192,	POLICIES_FILE},
         { "wizlist",    LVL_IMPL,       &wizlist,       2400,   WIZLIST_FILE},
         { "immlist",    LVL_GRGOD,      &immlist,       2400,   IMMLIST_FILE},
-        { "bugs",       LVL_GRGOD,      &bugs,          8192,   BUG_FILE},
-        { "typos",      LVL_GRGOD,      &typos,         8192,   TYPO_FILE},
-        { "ideas",      LVL_GRGOD,      &ideas,         8192,   IDEA_FILE},
 	{ "\n",		0,		NULL,		0,	NULL }
   };
 

src/utils.h

@@ -245,6 +245,73 @@ void char_from_furniture(struct char_data *ch);
          temp->next = (item)->next;	\
    }					\
 
+/* Connect 'link' to the end of a double-linked list
+ * The new item becomes the last in the linked list, and the last
+ * pointer is updated.
+ * @param link  Pointer to item to remove from the list.
+ * @param first Pointer to the first item of the linked list.
+ * @param last  Pointer to the last item of the linked list.
+ * @param next  The variable name pointing to the next in the list.
+ * @param prev  The variable name pointing to the previous in the list.
+ * */
+#define LINK(link, first, last, next, prev)                     \
+do                                                              \
+{                                                               \
+    if ( !(first) )                                             \
+      (first)                   = (link);                       \
+    else                                                        \
+      (last)->next              = (link);                       \
+    (link)->next                = NULL;                         \
+    (link)->prev                = (last);                       \
+    (last)                      = (link);                       \
+} while(0)
+
+/* Remove 'link' from a double-linked list
+ * @post  item is removed from the list, but remains in memory, and must
+   be free'd after unlinking.
+ * @param link  Pointer to item to remove from the list.
+ * @param first Pointer to the first item of the linked list.
+ * @param last  Pointer to the last item of the linked list.
+ * @param next  The variable name pointing to the next in the list.
+ * @param prev  The variable name pointing to the previous in the list.
+ * */
+#define UNLINK(link, first, last, next, prev)                   \
+do                                                              \
+{                                                               \
+    if ( !(link)->prev )                                        \
+      (first)                   = (link)->next;                 \
+    else                                                        \
+      (link)->prev->next        = (link)->next;                 \
+    if ( !(link)->next )                                        \
+      (last)                    = (link)->prev;                 \
+    else                                                        \
+      (link)->next->prev        = (link)->prev;                 \
+} while(0)
+
+/* Free a pointer, and log if it was NULL
+ * @param point The pointer to be free'd.
+ * */
+#define DISPOSE(point)                                          \
+do                                                              \
+{                                                               \
+  if (!(point))                                                 \
+  {                                                             \
+        log( "SYSERR: Freeing null pointer %s:%d", __FILE__, __LINE__ ); \
+  }                                                             \
+  else free(point);                                             \
+  point = NULL;                                                 \
+} while(0)
+
+/* String Utils */
+/* Allocate memory for a string, and return a pointer
+ * @param point The string to be copied.
+ * */
+#define STRALLOC(point)         (strdup(point))
+/* Free allocated memory for a string
+ * @param point The string to be free'd.
+ * */
+#define STRFREE(point)          DISPOSE(point)
+
 /* basic bitvector utils */
 /** Return the bitarray field number x is in. */
 #define Q_FIELD(x)  ((int) (x) / 32)
@@ -674,6 +741,8 @@ void char_from_furniture(struct char_data *ch);
 #define ANA(obj) (strchr("aeiouAEIOU", *(obj)->name) ? "An" : "A")
 /** "an" or "a" for object (lowercased) */
 #define SANA(obj) (strchr("aeiouAEIOU", *(obj)->name) ? "an" : "a")
+/** "an" or "a" for text (lowercased) */
+#define TANA(obj) (strchr("aeiouAEIOU", *(obj)) ? "an" : "a")
 
 /* Various macros building up to CAN_SEE */