[WIP][Mod] Meta Tools [1.0][metatools]

[Mg]

Hello,
So, this is my first (posted) mod, minetest's meta tools.

Technical name : metatools

Purpose : This mod is created for admins of multiplayer servers, and developpers. It includes a stick allowing you to quickly see the fields of a punched node's metadatas, and a chatcommand completed with subcommands to
manipulate these values. In fact, the idea came to allow admins to manipulates metadatas of node on a public server when someone lost access to their itemframes after an update. Admins could then open the node, change the value of 'owner' field (for example), and unlock these nodes.
For developpers, having a metastick and a way to see the inner of a node's metadatas can help them to discover how do metadatas work in minetest, and to help them testing their nodes (like nodes asking for values in formspecs, or storing datas).

Version : Actually, 1.0, but this mod is not finished (1.0 just marks a release).

Compatibility : Works with minetest 0.4.12

Screenshots :

+ Spoiler

An example of command use

The Meta Stick

Tutorial :
About the metastick : punching a node with it will show you the value of any field contained in "node/fields".
About the commands :

- /meta help : Prints the help
- /meta version : Prints version
- /meta open (x,y,z) : This command "opens" the node (be sure to use parentheses)
- /meta show : Show fields/path list at actual position (kind of ls in Un*x systems)
- /meta enter <path> : Enter next stratum through <path> (same as cd command)
- /meta quit : Quit actual stratum and go backward
- /meta set <field> <value> : Set <field> to <value> . <value> can be string, float, or integer. This command can only be used in node/fields .
- /meta itemstack : manipulate itemstacks

- read <field> : Read itemstack at <field> (itemstring and count)
- erase <field> : Erase itemstack at <field>
- write <name> <itemstring> [<count>] : Set itemstack in field <name> with item <itemstring> and count <count>. Default count is one, 0 not handled.

- /meta close : Close actually open node

About the vocabulary : My knowledge of medatadas is quite limited, so I tried to use a vocabulary as much accurate as possible. Stratum is a level in the node's metadatas system. A path is a way to go from a stratum to its 'child' (like a folder in a file system). If any other word isn't clearly defined just ask me to define it on this thread.
About the structure of the metadatas : Here is a little diagram I made

+ Spoiler

Nodes/

+ fields

- foo
- bar
- ...

+inventory

+ main

- 1
- 2
- 3
- ...

+ craft

- 1
- 2
- 3
- ...

+ ...

Links :
Download : [zip]
Browse code : View on GitHub...
Report issues : Bug Tracker

Remember to rename the folder to metatools (instead of *minetest-mod-metatools*).

Thanks to :

- Ataron for 'metatools_stick.png' (CC-BY-NC-SA)
- mgl512 and his itemframe for inspiring me
- MinetestForFun for hosting on his server testing versions of this mod
- palige and every other testers for their feedbacks!

Enjoy.

[srifqi]

Nice!

Now, I can learn more about how Minetest uses metadata.

[Don]

Nice!

Now, I can learn more about how Minetest uses metadata.

I agree. This will be handy.

[Palige]

I really like this mod, I think it is very useful for mod developpers and servers admins !
Maybe add a GUI (for example, the metastick prints some messages informations with a left-click, and opens a graphic interface with a right-click) ?

[programmingchicken]

Definitely installing this in my modding world.
It's great!

[Palige]

Just a feedback: metatools is definitely useful. It makes the admin able to do some special operations on a server (e.g., changing the owner of a locked chest), impossible without this mod.