driver-overrides

name	driver-overrides
description	Document driver efun overrides in Oxidus that change default FluffOS behavior. Covers exec, shutdown, set_privs, userp, query_num, ctime, element_of, debug_message, this_body, and this_caller — what they change and why, to prevent wrong assumptions about driver behavior.

Driver Overrides Skill

This skill documents all driver efun overrides in Oxidus. These are simul_efun functions that replace standard FluffOS efuns with modified behavior. Knowing what's overridden prevents wrong assumptions.

Override Summary

Function	File	Override Type	Key Change
exec()	override.lpc	Security	Restricted to admin/ghost/user/su/link objects
shutdown()	override.lpc	Enhancement	Emits signal + persists before shutdown
set_privs()	override.lpc	Security	Admin-only, or self-claim from home path
userp()	override.lpc	Convenience	Optional argument (defaults to previous_object())
query_num()	override.lpc	Enhancement	Supports negative numbers
ctime()	override.lpc	Standardization	Always returns "YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS"
element_of()	override.lpc	Security	Optional secure_random() mode
debug_message()	override.lpc	Enhancement	Adds timestamp + file logging
this_body()	object.lpc	Wrapper	Semantic alias for this_player()
this_caller()	object.lpc	Wrapper	Alias for this_player(1)

Detailed Overrides

exec(to, from)

Driver default: Switches the connection from one object to another. Override: Restricts who can call it.

int exec(object to, object from)

Only succeeds if previous_object() is one of:

• An admin (via is_member(query_privs(...), "admin"))
• STD_GHOST (ghost object)
• A user object (userp())
• CMD_SU (the su command)

All other callers get 0 returned. This prevents arbitrary objects from hijacking connections.

shutdown(how)

Driver default: Immediately terminates the MUD. Override: Saves state and notifies listeners first.

void shutdown(int how)

Only callable by master() or SHUTDOWN_D. Before calling efun::shutdown():

1. Emits SIG_SYS_SHUTDOWN signal (notifies all registered handlers)
2. Calls PERSIST_D->persist_objects() (saves all persistent object data)

set_privs(ob, privs)

Driver default: Assigns a privilege string to an object. Override: Restricts who can assign privileges.

void set_privs(object ob, string privs)

Succeeds only if:

• Caller has admin privilege, OR
• ob is the master object, OR
• Object's path matches /home/%s/<name>/%s and name == privs (users claiming their own privilege)

userp(ob)

Driver default: Requires an object argument. Override: Makes the argument optional.

varargs int userp(object ob)

If ob is null, defaults to previous_object(). Then calls efun::userp(ob).

This means you can write if(userp()) inside an object to check if it's a user, without passing this_object().

query_num(x, many)

Driver default: Converts positive integers to English words ("five", "twenty-three"). Override: Adds negative number support.

varargs string query_num(int x, int many)

If x is negative, prepends "negative " to the result. Takes abs(x) before calling the driver efun.

ctime(x)

Driver default: Returns driver-default timestamp format. Override: Always returns ISO-like format.

varargs string ctime(int x)

If x is not provided, defaults to time(). Always returns strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S", x).

Important: Code using ctime() anywhere in this mudlib will get "2026-03-23 14:44:15" format, not the driver's default format.

element_of(arr, secure)

Driver default: Returns a random element from an array using standard random(). Override: Adds a secure random option.

varargs mixed element_of(mixed *arr, int secure)

• secure = 0 (default): calls efun::element_of(arr) — standard random
• secure = 1: uses secure_random(sizeof(arr)) — cryptographically secure

Use the secure flag when predictable randomness would be exploitable (loot drops, etc.).

debug_message(str)

Driver default: Outputs to stderr/debug output. Override: Adds timestamps and persistent file logging.

void debug_message(string str)

1. Strips trailing newline from str
2. Generates timestamp: "%Y/%m/%d %H:%M:%S"
3. Calls efun::debug_message() with timestamp prepended
4. Also writes to debug.log via master()->log_file()

All debug output gets both console output AND a persistent log file.

this_body()

Not a driver override — semantic wrapper.

object this_body()
// Returns efun::this_player()

Use this_body() instead of this_player() throughout the codebase. It's the Oxidus convention.

this_caller()

Not a driver override — semantic wrapper.

object this_caller()
// Returns efun::this_player(1)

Returns the original initiator of the call chain (through force commands, shadows, etc.). Use when you need to know who really started an action, not just who's currently executing.

Commented-Out Overrides

The following driver efuns have commented-out overrides in override.lpc that would throw error("Use tell."):

• write()
• say()
• shout()
• tell_object()
• tell_room()

These are NOT currently active, but their presence indicates the intent: use the tell() family from messaging.lpc instead of driver messaging efuns. See the messaging skill.

Key Takeaways

1. Don't use this_player() — use this_body() or this_caller()
2. ctime() is not driver-default — it always returns "YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS"
3. shutdown() is gated — only master and SHUTDOWN_D can call it
4. exec() is gated — random objects cannot hijack connections
5. debug_message() logs to file — all debug output is persisted
6. element_of() has a secure mode — pass 1 as second arg for crypto-random