Run-Time Problem
Error handling external file (P48)
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Most problems are detected when Inform translates the source text, but this is one of the exceptions, a "run-time problem" which emerges only during play. Interactive fiction is generally handled by a virtual machine, a special computer provided in software which operates in its own closed little world. The Z-machine family of virtual machines does not provide access to external files at all; the Glulx VM does, but of course many things can go wrong. Perhaps a given file cannot be found, or perhaps the VM attempts to write to a file held open by another application, or perhaps the host computer runs out of disc space. |