2. Manual

blunderDB is software for creating position databases. The positions are stored in a database represented by a .db file.

The main interactions possible with blunderDB are:

  • add a new position,

  • modify an existing position,

  • delete an existing position,

  • search for one or more positions.

To do this, the user switches to dedicated modes for:

  • navigation and viewing positions (NORMAL mode),

  • editing positions (EDIT mode),

  • editing a query to filter positions (COMMAND mode or search window).

The user can freely tag positions and annotate them with comments.

In the following sections of the manual, the graphical interface and the main modes of blunderDB are described.

2.1. Description of the interface

The interface of blunderDB is composed, from top to bottom, of:

  • [top] the toolbar, which gathers all the main operations that can be performed on the database,

  • [in the middle] the main display area, which allows for displaying or editing backgammon positions,

  • [at the bottom] the status bar, which provides various information about the database or the current position.

Panels can be displayed to:

  • display the analysis data associated with the current position from eXtreme Gammon (XG),

  • display, add, or modify comments

Modal windows can be displayed to:

  • [EDIT mode only] set search filters,

  • display the blunderDB help.

The main display area provides the user with:

  • a board to display or edit a backgammon position,

  • the level and owner of the cube,

  • the pip count of each player,

  • the score of each player,

  • the dice to play. If no values are displayed on the dice, the position of the dice indicates which player has the turn and that the position is a cube decision.

The status bar is structured from left to right with the following information:

  • the current mode (NORMAL, EDIT, COMMAND),

  • an informational message related to an operation performed by the user,

  • the index of the current position, followed by the number of positions in the current library.

Note

In the case of positions resulting from a user search, the number of positions indicated in the status bar corresponds to the number of filtered positions.

2.2. NORMAL mode

NORMAL mode is the default mode of blunderDB. It is used for:

  • scrolling through the different positions in the current library,

  • displaying the analysis information associated with a position.

  • displaying, adding, and modifying comments on a position.

Tip

Refer to Section 5.2 for NORMAL mode shortcuts.

2.3. EDIT mode

EDIT mode allows you to edit a position with the option to either add it to the database or define the type of position to search for. EDIT mode is activated by pressing the TAB key. The distribution of checkers, the cube, the score, and the turn can be modified using the mouse (see Edit a position).

Tip

Refer to Section 5.3 for EDIT mode shortcuts.

2.4. COMMAND mode

COMMAND mode allows you to perform all the functionalities of blunderDB available in the graphical interface: general operations on the database, position navigation, displaying analysis and/or comments, searching for positions based on filters… After getting familiar with the interface, it is recommended to gradually use this mode for a powerful and smooth use of blunderDB, especially for position search functionalities.

To switch to COMMAND mode from any other mode, press the SPACE key. To submit a query and exit COMMAND mode, press the ENTER key.

blunderDB executes the queries sent by the user as long as they are valid and immediately modifies the state of the database if necessary. There are no explicit save actions required from the user.

Tip

Refer to Section 4 for the list of available commands in COMMAND mode.