Using ARRCON with Python

Using ARRCON with Python

Expanding Scripting Capabilities:

While ARRCON supports various scripting methods, Python libraries like subprocess offer robust and flexible control, especially when combined with effective logging. Here's how to integrate ARRCON into your Python projects, ensuring clarity, error tracking, and improved maintainability:

Prerequisites:

• Python installed (https://www.python.org/)

Example Usage:

This code demonstrates saving a game server using ARRCON:

import subprocess
import logging

# Server details
server_name = "palserver"
command = "Save"

# Logging setup
log_file = "C:/steamcmd/steamapps/common/PalServer/autosave_log.txt"
logging.basicConfig(filename=log_file, level=logging.INFO, format='%(asctime)s - %(levelname)s: %(message)s', datefmt='%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')

# Execute ARRCON command
try:
    logging.info(f"Sending '{command}' command to ARRCON on {server_name}...")
    with subprocess.Popen(["ARRCON", "-S", server_name], stdin=subprocess.PIPE, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE, text=True) as proc:
        proc.stdin.write(command)
        proc.stdin.flush()
        stdout, stderr = proc.communicate()

        if proc.returncode == 0:
            logging.info(f"Command '{command}' sent successfully to ARRCON on {server_name}.")
        else:
            logging.error(f"Error sending '{command}' to ARRCON on {server_name}. Error message: {stderr}")
except Exception as e:
    logging.error(f"Error: {e}")

print("Script complete. Check the log file for details.")

Key Points:

• Import subprocess for process handling and logging for recording progress.
• Define server details (name, command).
• Configure logging with a file destination (e.g., logging.basicConfig(filename="logfile.txt", ...)).
• Use subprocess.Popen to launch ARRCON with server name.
• Send the command via stdin.write and flush.
• Capture and log both standard output and error streams.
• Check return code for success/failure and log accordingly.

Customization and Automation:

• Modify server_name and command based on your needs.
• Leverage Python's control flow and data structures for complex interactions.
• Integrate with other tools and libraries for enhanced automation.

Benefits of Using Logging:

• Detailed Audit Trail: Track every executed command and its outcome, including success/failure status and any returned messages. This creates a historical record for debugging, analyzing trends, and auditing server actions.
• Enhanced Troubleshooting: Quickly identify issues by pinpointing the exact commands involved in errors or unexpected behavior. Logs capture timestamps, server names, and command details for efficient problem-solving.
• Improved Maintainability: Future developers or yourself can easily understand the purpose and sequence of script actions by reviewing the logged information. This aids in future modifications and maintenance tasks.

By following these guidelines and incorporating effective logging, you can effectively leverage Python's power to manage and automate ARRCON tasks, ensuring clarity, error tracking, and improved maintainability, adding control and flexibility to your server administration efforts.